Zoom outlines future of virtual communication at Zoomtopia 2020

 During the vision keynote of Zoomtopia 2020 Zoom Video Communications, Inc. unveiled major developments to its platform.

Some of the more significant developments to the Zoom platform inlude:

• OnZoom: An online event platform for Zoom users to create and host free, paid, and fundraising events. . Zoom users can sign up for new experiences with additional functionality like gifting tickets and an attendee dashboard to keep tabs on favorite events and brands. Available now as a public beta for US users to attend events from SMBs and flagship content partners like WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
• New end-to-end encryption (E2EE): This optional feature will be generally available in technical preview to free and paid Zoom users next week. It can be enabled at the account, group, and user level, and, depending on how the account admin sets up the feature, can be toggled on and off by the host on a by-meeting basis. When enabled, Zoom’s E2EE ensures that communication between meeting participants using Zoom applications is encrypted using cryptographic keys known only to the devices of those participants. With E2EE, no third party – including Zoom – is provided with access to the meeting’s private keys. More about E2EE.
• Customizable SDK: Zoom is adding new enhancements to its SDKs, enabling developers and companies to customise video-based applications with Zoom’s platform, available on Android, iOS, and web. Developers can customise UI and session control, making it easier to bring high-quality video, audio, and instant chat to their applications. More on customizable SDK.
•  Zapps: Zapps enable developers to create apps that power workflows before, during, and after the meeting. Zoom has brought first and third-party developed apps into the meeting experience for real-time adoption. Zapps are designed to give developers a fast and flexible web view canvas to create apps, viral distribution, and IT deployment and manageability. Over 25 launch partners joined Zoom – their demo videos are available at zoom.us/zapps. More about Zapps.
•  Zoom has developed new functionalities for its core unified communications platform. More about the UCaaS Platform and Zoom Rooms enhancements.

Users can now set immersive scenes with a custom background theme for their meetings or create layouts where participant videos are embedded within a scene that everyone shares, like a classroom or courtroom.

Support for DTEN ME, Facebook via the Zoom on Portal app, and Zoom Rooms appliances are generally available. Amazon Echo Show, DTEN onTV, Google Assistant-enabled Smart Displays including Nest Hub Max, and Yealink A20 will be supported by the end of year. Coming in 2021 are additional hardware offerings from HP, Lenovo, and Neat.

 Enhanced voice command options and simplified pairing of personal devices to control Zoom Rooms meeting experiences.

A suite of whiteboarding enhancements will enable persistent collaboration across mobile, desktop, and rooms.

Usin  AI, Zoom Rooms smart gallery presents in-room participants as individuals in gallery view to better enable face-to-face communication between in-office and remote participants.

Alert safety team members and 911 dispatchers simultaneously with E911, which integrates with Zoom Digital Signage and Zoom Chat to inform employees and guide responders. Other upcoming Zoom Phone features include Team SMS and AI-powered spam detection and blocking.

Enhanced Webinar features include: reactions, breakout rooms, customized lobbies, and debrief rooms.

Hosts will be also be able to choose to admit a guest after seeing them in a waiting room.

Using AI, Zoom will automatically detect when to turn on High Fidelity mode.

With long-term remote work becoming more prevalent, Zoom is expanding its hardware certification program to include personal workspace devices. The additional hardware types include personal and portable USB and Bluetooth speakerphones such as the new Poly Sync 20, webcams, and all-in-one desktop systems. About this certification program.

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