For years, professionals, educators, and streamers have relied on third-party tools like OBS Studio to integrate external cameras—document cams, production feeds, or high-end webcams—into Google Meet. The process was clunky: set up virtual cameras, tweak scenes, and pray Meet recognized the feed.
But now, Google has finally cut the middleman. With its latest update, Meet allows users to present directly from an external camera—no OBS, no virtual cams, no convoluted setup. It’s a remarkably effective solution that streamlines workflows while delivering 1080p at 30FPS quality.
Key Features & Improvements
| Feature | Details | Rollout Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Present from Camera | Directly stream from document cams, external cameras, or production tools. | Rapid Release: Now |
| 1080p @ 30FPS | Crisp, smooth video quality for professional presentations. | Scheduled Release: June 11 |
| Faster Screen Sharing | Reduced latency, sharper text, better handling of dynamic content. | Full rollout in 15 days |
| Auto-Resume Sharing | If a second presenter stops, Meet switches back to the previous feed. | Available for Workspace tiers |
Source: Neowin
Why This Matters
This upgrade isn’t just about convenience—it’s a fundamental shift in how video collaboration works. Whether you’re:
- A teacher using a document camera for live notes,
- A business presenter sharing a whiteboard,
- Or a production team streaming a live event,
Google Meet now natively supports these feeds, eliminating the need for third-party workarounds that often introduce lag or compatibility issues.
The Death of OBS Workarounds?
Previously, integrating custom video feeds required:
- Setting up OBS scenes,
- Enabling virtual camera output,
- Manually selecting “OBS Virtual Camera” in Meet’s settings.
Now? One click. The new “Present from Camera” option appears in Meet’s interface, letting users bypass these steps entirely.
“This update removes one of the last remaining friction points in professional video conferencing. Google is clearly positioning Meet as a complete alternative to specialized broadcasting software.”
– Video Production Expert
Broader Implications
- Education: Teachers can now seamlessly switch between slides and live demos.
- Corporate: Town hall meetings can integrate professional live feeds without extra software.
- Creators: Streamers can enhance production value without OBS-induced headaches.
Google is clearly pushing Meet beyond basic video calls—it’s becoming a full-fledged presentation hub.
What’s Next?
This update is part of a larger Workspace overhaul, including:
- Gemini-powered summaries in Google Drive (tracking document changes).
- Real-time speech translation in Meet (currently in beta).
- Enhanced screen-sharing UI (bigger buttons, smarter controls).
Final Thoughts
Google Meet’s latest upgrade is more than a feature—it’s a declaration. By eliminating reliance on OBS, Google is making professional-grade streaming accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a CEO, educator, or content creator, this changes the game.
The only question left: How will competitors respond?
