Zoom's Focus mode hopes to lessen virtual classroom distractions

Source: Zoom

As online schooling and virtual classrooms still exist in many parts of the world, Zoom is hoping to help teachers keep the attention of easily distracted kids—at the very least, they won't see their classmates' antics. The app is getting a new Focus mode that looks like it is available even with free accounts.

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Zoom will pay USD 85 million to users over misleading encryption claims

Zoom has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit against the company for misleading users about offering end-to-end encryption. The company will pay USD 85 million or around USD 15 or USD 25 each for Zoom users in the US. The amount depends on whether the user has a free or paid subscription between March 30, 2016, and July 30, 2021. Zoom was accused of lying about its encryption description on its site and in a security white paper. The company was also accused of providing user data to Facebook and Google without users' permission.

The suit was filed at the US District Court for the Northern District of California. Zoom also agreed to over a dozen changes to its practices, "designed to meet security, bolster privacy disclosures, and safeguard consumer data." A hearing on the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary approval of the settlement is scheduled for October 21, 2021.

Source: MacRumors

Zoom brings third-party app integrations to calls

Source: Zoom

While Zoom was indispensable at the height of the pandemic, the company wants to make sure you will continue to use it when things return to some sense of normalcy. The company is adding third-party apps into Zoom calls, allowing you to use apps like Dropbox Spaces, Asana, and even Heads Up! while you're in calls. Third-party integration shows that Zoom wants to be more than a single-use app and more like a platform. Today, the company also launched its new Events hub.

There are over 50 plugins you can use at launch. Once you install the latest version of Zoom, a new Discover tab is seen under the new collapsible Apps side panel to show you what's available. You can also see what apps are available through Zoom Marketplace. If you use Zoom for work and you're part of a company, your admin can limit the apps you can install.

Source: Engadget

Zoom gets a dedicated text field to display your gender pronoun

Zoom is the latest service to make it easier to show your gender pronoun. Before this update, you had to manually edit your display name during a meeting or through your profile to show your pronoun. But some organizations won't allow members to edit their display names. 

Now, pronouns get a dedicated text field in your profile, where you can input your pronoun and decide your sharing controls. You have the option to display your pronouns at every meeting or have Zoom ask you before every session. You can also opt-out of not displaying your pronoun at all. But it will remain visible to your Zoom contacts as part of your profile card on the platform.

Source: Engadget