【orientalism, eroticism and modern visuality in global cultures】

If you've ever hopped into a video call for work while getting over a cold,orientalism, eroticism and modern visuality in global cultures or after a sleepless night or a quick run, you know what it's like to see yourself on camera and think, "I'm not looking my best." Google Meet will soon smooth your skin and brighten your eyes virtually with a new tool called "portrait touch-up."

Beginning Oct. 28, Google Workspace users can choose to "subtly enhance [their] appearance" while using Google Meet on mobile, either before joining the meeting or during it. There are two modes: a "subtle" touch-up, which provides "very light complexion smoothing, under eye lightening and eye whitening," and a "smoothing" touch-up, which makes the same changes with greater intensity.

The feature will be turned off by default, and available on desktop by the end of the year. Unfortunately, there are no plans to make it available to users with personal Google Accounts yet.

• Google Meet finally gets 1080p video in group calls
• Google Meet is testing AI-generated backgrounds
• New Google Maps features tackle obstacles to accessibility
• Emoji reacts are finally coming to Google Meet
• Zoom makes its 'AI Companion' available to paid customers at no additional cost

A similar feature has been available on Zoom for years. In settings, a "touch up my appearance" bar enables users to smooth fine lines or clear their complexion in real time.

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