Zoom is introducing third-party app integration to the platform, finally allowing the use of third-party apps during video calls. The chief rival of Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, Zoom has lately added a ton of new features such as post-meeting surveys, emoji reactions to in-meeting chats, an SMS feature for answering calls in bulk, and video playback capability directly within Zoom Chat. Additionally, the Zoom Events platform has finally gone public, serving as a one-stop-shop for managing online events and related activities, such as ticketing and registration, creating a chat lobby, and planning sessions among others.
In addition to new productivity-centric features, Zoom has also introduced a healthy number of accessibility features to its platform. Live automatic transcription, third-party captioning, and multiple-spotlight to share the stage with an interpreter, and screen reader support are among the key zoom accessibility upgrades. Moreover, Zoom also made it easier to add pronouns in video calls with just a few clicks, and has also brought the benefits of a split view mode on tablets as well.
Now, Zoom is again focusing on the productivity aspect by introducing support for third-party app integration. Thanks to the feature upgrade, users can now directly access a third-party app, such as Asana, during a group video call. Called Zoom Apps, the platform’s marketplace has already listed over 50 apps that cover everything from note-taking and collaborative whiteboards to games. In order to access one of these apps, users simply have to tap on the Discover tab in the screen’s top-right corner when using Zoom’s desktop client.
Best Zoom Apps Available Right Now
Among the best third-party apps that can now be accessed directly in Zoom is Asana, one of the most widely-used apps for collaborative project management. It allows users to create new tasks, assign them to team members, check progress in the form of customizable tags, and do a lot more for an immersive experience. With Zoom integration, users can now do all that during their team meetings or college sessions. Another app with a similar premise is Dropbox Spaces, which allows users to access all relevant content, such as discussion highlights, upcoming events, note-taking, task assignment, and file sharing — all in a single place.
Another useful app that can now be used directly within Zoom’s desktop client is SurveyMonkey. As the name makes abundantly clear, SurveyMonkey allows users to conduct surveys and create polls using pre-built templates, multiple questions format, and sharing results in real-time for a more fruitful brainstorming session. However, there are a few fun apps on the list too. For example, the Pexels apps will let users choose from over three million images that can be used as a background during a video call, the Kahoot app allows hosting of virtual quizzes, and the Heads Up app lets users play a fun game of charades during a Zoom call.
