Hopefully you’ve already updated your Zoom client on all of your various devices (desktops, laptops, mobile) – but if not, please do!  Not only does Zoom corporate do regular bug fixes thru updates, but feature changes and additions happen on a regular basis.  “You’ll be glad you did!”

If your Mac or PC computer is managed by ASCTech, this version was pushed out to you – but check the version on your installation: it should read “5.3.0” or higher.

The 9/21/20 release is especially noteworthy, as we got a number of feature changes that are very relevant to thems-that-use-breakout-rooms (down in the “Meeting Features” section). Contact your support team about any questions or special situations you might have, but self-selecting on breakouts may be very useful (think: virtual poster sessions!).

A selected list of details from the Zoom update page includes:

September 21, 2020 version 5.3.0 (52651.0920)
New and enhanced features

• General features
  • Calendar Integration sync improvement
    Deleting a meeting in the desktop client will now delete the calendar event on the synced calendar, if write permission is given.
  • Enhanced scheduling with default settings
    Scheduling a new meeting will always check the user’s web settings and use those as the default. Any changes from the default will be saved for that meeting only.
• Meeting/webinar features
  • Virtual Background not compatible explanation
    When you are unable to use the virtual background feature, the desktop client will provide clarification, for example, the i7-5500U processor is not currently compatible with this feature.
• Meeting features
  • Self-select Breakout Room
    The host can now create breakout rooms with the option for participants to self-select which breakout room they would like to join. If enabled, participants can move freely between breakout rooms, without needing the host’s help. Both the meeting host and participants need to be on Client 5.3.0 or later to self-select Breakout Rooms.
  • Share files with Microsoft SharePoint
    Attendees can now share files from SharePoint directly through in-meeting chat.
• Chat features
  • Right-click menu for links in IM chat
    Right-clicking a link will now display a menu, providing options to copy or open the link.
  • Improved image preview and image viewer
    Images sent in IM chat integrate better with sent text, and images will open within the Zoom desktop client’s new image viewer.
  • Enhanced Link Preview
    Zoom meeting links will now show more details, such as meeting name, ID, start time, Join button, and meeting duration when done.
  • Enhanced Search
    Desktop users can filter by Order, Sent by, and date filters for file search. Mobile users can filter by Order for file search. All image search results will display as thumbnail previews. Channel and contact results will also be split into their own categories. Users can also clear the list of recent searches.
  • Mark as Unread for images and files
    Transferred files and images can also be marked as unread.