Facebook rolled out Messenger Rooms last week to take on existing video conferencing tools like Zoom. The new service allows up to 50 people to join a video chat, with support for both public and private calls.
Today, the social networking giant announced a video chat capability for Workplace just as the service reached 5 million customers. Like Messenger Rooms, Workplace Rooms provides a virtual space that can host up to 50 participants. It does not impose a cap on meeting times and even those who don"t have a Workplace account can join a meeting. The new tool uses the same technology as Messenger Rooms, customized for enterprise customers.
Plus, there"s a bevy of new features built for the enterprise collaboration tool. Live Producer is a new feature that allows for live broadcasts from a mobile device or computer, complete with screen sharing capabilities, polls, and more. Live Q&A also lets hosts ask questions from participants in a live setting. For users with hearing disabilities or who prefer a different language, Facebook is launching live captions, translations, and caption editing. These features will be rolled out in June and Workplace Rooms will be available for free until December.
Workplace is also adding new features on Portal such as the ability to broadcast live using the device"s camera and audio tools. In June, the ability to watch live Workplace streams will also come to Portal. Workplace Rooms will also arrive for Portal users, with plans to introduce the ability to add a custom background in the future. Portal TV is also adding support for Workplace.