Updates available for Lifesize video conferencing platform

Lifesize Inc. has made upgrades to its platform in an effort to give customers more choice, configurability and control.

Users now have a screen sharing option in the Lifesize mobile app, designed to enable teams to share content during meetings. There is also now a dark mode option for the Lifesize video conferencing app. Additionally, there is an add-in for web and desktop that lets users schedule video meetings and issue one-time meeting invites through Microsoft Outlook.

Users will not receive notifications before meetings begin but are able to join the meeting with a single click. They can also connect calendars, such as G Suite and Office 365, to view upcoming video meetings within the Lifesize web and desktop apps.

Lifesize also updated desktop app launches for Chrome, Firefox and Safari in an effort to improve the one-click join for meetings on Mac and PC devices. Accessing a Lifesize call link through those browsers opens the desktop app to immediately start the meeting.

The updates also include new admin controls and a redesigned Lifesize Admin Console. Account administrators can now tailor meeting invitations based on how their organization collaborates best. This is intended to simplify the process of scheduling and joining meetings.

Admins can choose to provide a single link to join or include a path to join using Skype for Business. They can also hide meetings, room systems or users from the internal directory or from defined groups of users.

Other unified communications vendors have also been releasing updates. Bluescape recently launched the newest version of its mobile app, which enables users to give presentations without using a laptop by launching a Bluescape session onto larger touchscreens.

In March, Lifesize also launched its Icon 300 and Icon 500 meeting room systems, which bring 4K video collaboration to huddle rooms and midsize meeting spaces.