Online meetings are now more accepted. Thanks to the push from COVID-19, of course. I’m convinced meetings are broken but that’s a subject for another post. For this one, I want to focus on a new (at least to me) solution that could help us fix that. Could Around be the fresh solution for online collaboration and meetings we’ve been looking for?
What Is It and How Does It Work?
Around says they’re a video call solution designed for collaboration. My interpretation of this is that the object of meetings is to get things done. Yes, you’re in a meeting but actually working.
From the experience I’ve had so far using Around, there is a fair attempt at that.
One of the things I hate on Zoom and Microsoft Teams, for example, is how they get in the way of the meeting. Great solutions and platforms shouldn’t be noticed. I hate how they get in the way of me doing things even while in meetings.
Even with two screens sometimes I have to move Teams and Zoom out of the way if I need to access or share something on my screen.
Around attempts to solve this by reducing video to faces. It follows participants’ faces so that they’re background is made irrelevant. In this way visual distractions are minimised. I haven’t proven this yet, but they say users in the same meeting and spaces don’t have to mute their mics on individual devices. They call this ‘EchoTeminator’
On My Screen
My favourite feature of Around, is that I have a lot more access to using my screen. Their promo images show code overlaid by images of participants in a meeting. The experience is the same for me in what they call ‘Floating Mode’. Participants’ videos are less distracting compared to Zoom, Teams, and other solutions.
Other Features
Because their focus is in-call real-time collaboration Around doesn’t have mobile apps. I dare say, “Yet”. You can invite someone to a call by sending them a unique, link something we’re already familiar with. It integrates with Slack, so that you can start calls from there. It also comes with a rich text editor that all users can write it at the same time. The note is automatically emailed at the end of the call. No need to remember to send the notes.
They claim to have an anti-fatigue filter. The shortcuts are quite cool. For example, “W” for wave, “U” for thumbs, “H” to raise hand or “F” for filters etc. When you use a Gif for reaction it replaces your face. Anways…
Not To Like
So far there’s little I haven’t liked. I haven’t liked that I’ve only been able to use it with a few people because it’s not yet that known. Around for collaboration and online meetings is still quite young but has worked well for me so far. I’m keeping an eye out to see how it develops.
Should You Use It?
Give it a go. I can see how useful it can be for not only meetings but collaboration as they say. Another good use case is facilitating a Bible study group where you can see your notes etc with little to no interference from the tool. And not having to choose whether you can see your notes or people.
Handy if you only have one monitor you’re working with. Same when it comes to sharing screen.
At the moment it’s available to use for free and a solution for teams is coming soon apparently. Get Around for your online meetings here.
I’d love to know what you think of the experience. Would you use Around for online collaboration and meetings? And what do you look for in online meeting solutions?
Speak your mind...