What you need to know
- Zoom's latest update brings support for Zoom Apps for meetings.
- These apps can integrate directly with Zoom meetings to improve productivity.
- Microsoft Teams recently expanded support for Teams apps built for meetings.
- Support for Zoom Events also rolls out this week.
Zoom just greatly expanded the capabilities of its meetings by launching Zoom Apps for meetings. Zoom already had integrations with 1,500 apps, but Zoom apps allow people to integrate third-party apps directly with Zoom. There are over 50 Zoom apps available at the moment, including Asana, SurveyMonkey Enterprise, and Dropbox Spaces.
Support for Zoom Apps comes with version 5.7.3 or higher of the desktop client. The update's changelog lists just a single addition, though it is a sizeable one:
Introducing Zoom Apps for meetings - Windows, macOS -Zoom Apps combine your favorite apps with the power of video communications by allowing you to access them directly in your Zoom desktop client and meetings. With Zoom Apps, you can streamline workflows, collaborate with colleagues, and also bring elements of fun and wellness into your interactions with colleagues, friends, and family members.These apps, reviewed and approved by Zoom, are available for installation directly in the desktop client or from the Zoom Marketplace. Once installed, work on projects with the app directly in the Zoom desktop client, or launch a meeting with the opened app and invite others to view and collaborate with you.
The ability to integrate apps directly with Zoom should help the service compete with the likes of Microsoft Teams. Microsoft's offering also lets people integrate apps with meetings, including users on iOS and Android.
Zoom Events is also generally available starting this week. With it, businesses can host sessions, events, and trade shows on Zoom. The consumer-aimed equivalent of Zoom Events, OnZoom, is still in beta.
Zoom is already a popular app for video calls and meetings. Now, it supports Zoom apps for meetings, which let you integrate apps into meetings, such as Asana and Dropbox Spaces.
