Zoom set to launch support for Apple Silicon Macs

Zoom on December 21 will be rolling out an update that lets the videoconferencing app support Apple Silicon Macs. The release notes page on Zoom’s website acknowledges the app’s release date and highlights notable features, including support for the M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

Support for Apple Silicon processors – Zoom desktop client will better support computers with ARM CPUs. A separate installer is available for download in the Zoom Download Center.

The update is also set to have enhanced cloud contact integration for chat and call features, “raise hand” for host and co-host, poll report availability during live sessions, and improved grouping of security options, among many others. There are several bug fixes as well.

Here are the official release notes from Zoom:

• General features
  • Support for Apple Silicon processors
    Zoom desktop client will better support computers with ARM CPUs. A separate installer is available for download in the Zoom Download Center.
  • Enhanced cloud contact integration for chat/call features 
    Contacts imported through the contact integration can now be easily added as a Zoom contact. Once approved as a Zoom contact, you will have the ability to call or meet with them and see their Zoom status.
• Meeting/webinar features
  • Enhanced nonverbal feedback and reactions
    Nonverbal feedback options are moved to the Reactions button, and all reactions will be shown in the corner of the participants’ video. The host will see each participant’s reactions in the participant list, as well as the aggregate numbers of each reaction at the bottom of the list.
  • Raise hand for host and co-host
    Hosts and co-hosts can utilize the raise hand feature along with meeting participants and webinar attendees.
  • Poll reports available during live session 
    The meeting or webinar host will now have the option to download the full poll results when the poll has ended during the live session, rather than waiting until the meeting or webinar has ended. This will launch their browser and begin the download of the CSV poll report.
• Meeting features
  • Improved grouping of security options when scheduling
    The “Only authenticated users can join” option is now located in the Security section of the scheduling window, grouping it with Passcode and Waiting Room options to allow for easier selection and use of security features.
• Phone features
  • Support for text messaging (SMS and MMS)Users with Zoom Phone Pro licenses can use their assigned direct phone numbers to send or receive text messages (SMS and MMS).
  • Enhancements for call queues with call monitoring
    If call monitoring is enabled for a call queue, members and supervisors can easily monitor their queues and use call monitoring features.
  • Call end chime
    Users will hear a chime and see a notification when a call ends abruptly, typically from poor network connection or the other caller ending the call.
  • Launch an external app or a URL for incoming calls
    Users can configure Zoom Phone to launch a specific app or URL when receiving a call. They can pass additional parameters to the app or website with % arguments; for example, name and caller ID.

Zoom gained popularity as people started following work from home protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. The basic Zoom plan includes a 40-minute time limit, which forces non-premium accounts to restart a call after the time has elapsed. Zoom had its time limit removed on Thanksgiving this year for non-paying users to have virtual celebrations and help families celebrate the holiday safely during the pandemic. Though there is no word yet from the company whether the time limit will be taken down for Christmas, let’s hope we’ll get to see the same this festival.