Google meets Noise Cancellation recently launched a feature that differentiates between human voices and background noise using machine learning. Other video conferencing apps have background noise suppression features as well, but they have many limitations. The company announced that the feature is available now.
How disruptive noise is filtered out
The machine learning model uses the amplitude of the sound to determine what to filter out. Other video conferencing apps can only identify familiar sounds suggest keyboard keystrokes. But Google has artificial intelligence, making it more advanced.
How to enable the Noise Cancellation feature
Whether you choose to enable the feature before a meeting or during a session, the process is very simple.
To enable Noise Cancellation before a meeting.
- From the Homepage, go to Settings.
- You should see an audio tab and a video tab. Click on the audio tab.
- You will find the noise cancellation option under the microphone. Simply click on the toggle button to turn it on.
To enable Noise Cancellation during a meeting.
- In case you’re in a meeting, tap the three vertical dots at the bottom right corner.
- Go to settings.
- You shall see two tabs for audio and video. Click on the audio tab.
- You will find the noise cancellation option under the microphone. Simply click on the toggle button to turn it on.
How to turn off the Noise Cancellation feature
By default, the noise cancellation feature is always switched on for all devices. However, users can choose to turn it off.
- Go to Settings.
- You will see two tabs for audio and video. Click on the audio tap.
- Under the microphone, you will see a toggle button for noise cancellation. Simply click on it to turn it off.
What Noise Cancellation Sounds Like
you can watch a demonstration of how the feature works in a demo video produced by VentureBeat. Serge Lachapelle, G Suite director of product management, shows how the Noise Cancellation dampens external noise. Demonstrations are made with common noises such as rappers crinkling, when clicking, and glass clinking. These show the efficiency of the feature. When the feature is activated, you can hear his voice but not the noise.
It is safe to keep in mind that this feature is not a hundred percent perfect. However, Google is planning to improve the feature over time.
User’s Data Privacy and Security
Lachapelle emphasized that the data would be encrypted and Google will not use external meetings for training its AI model. In fact, it would use customer feedback to improve the feature over time.
Scheduled Release and Availability
At the moment, not all devices have the feature. The Noise Cancellation Feature is only available to G Suite Enterprise and G Suite Enterprise for Education users. The company has further announced that they will launch the feature on Google meet web client before mobile devices. Hence, it is uncertain when the noise cancellation feature will be available for personal Google accounts.
Conclusion
With the heads up on audio and video communication, Google’s new noise cancellation feature makes it a leading competitor.
