Especially for video calls and online meetings, Apple has added new options to video calls. You can use presenter overlay, reactions and useful zoom controllers. This is not only possible in Facetime, but also other video bubble apps such as Zoom.
You can easily respond with (automatic) reactions and effects with the help of a simple hand gesture. But the real renewal is in the various new overlay options for video calls.
Presenter-Overlay during video calling
Do you want to share the screen of your Mac during a Facetime Videosepisce discussion, or during the online meeting in, for example, Zoom? Then from now on this is possible with a handy overlay.
The new presenter-Overlay ensures that you remain in the picture when you share your screen. You can choose from a large or a small overlay. In the large you remain in the foreground, with your screen in a separate layer of the image. You can then move, walk and talk while your presentation can be seen behind you.
If you choose the Kleine Overlay, you can be seen during your presentation in a round frame over the shared screen. You can move yourself and point out personally what you find important.
Activate overlay
We use Facetime as an example, but the function is also available in Zoom and may be added later in multi-video apps.
- Start a FaceTime video talk
- In the menu bar, click on the Green Facetime icon
- Select the screen part icon
- Choose sharing a window or full screen
- Make a choice between small or large at presenter-overlay
- Change the shared screen if necessary
You can now show the promotions on the screen to your conversation partners and stay in the picture yourself. If the focus is on the screen, choose a small overlay. If you just want to convey a message and add this power with a presentation or other images, you can use the large version. Via the FaceTime icon in the menu bar you can easily switch between the different views.
Share windows
During a video call you can share one or even multiple apps, directly from the corresponding window. To do this, place the mouse pointer on the green ball at the top of the window of an application. Then choose ‘Share on’. Immediately the window is shared in the video call.
Adjust composition at Middelpunt
If you use your studio display or iPhone as a webcam, you simply choose the ideal composition. With the zoom and pan controllers you adjust the frame, and with the push of a button you automatically put yourself in the middle of the picture.
To do this, click on the Facetime icon in the menu bar and then choose ‘Center’. Once the option is switched on, you can click again to manage it further. This way you can opt for ‘wide’ or ‘extra wide’. Of course you always stay in the middle of the image.
Reactions during video call
Since macOS Sonoma, iOS 17 and iPados 17, Apple has been introducing video effects to add extra decisiveness. You can activate balloons, fireworks, confetti and other effects (which we know from messages). This will be automatically displayed in the background and around you. You can activate them manually or with a movement, for example two thumbs up.
Make FaceTime comments manually
- Start a FaceTime video talk
- In the menu bar, click on the Green Facetime icon
- Choose the used camera, for example FaceTime HD camera
- Switch on ‘comments’ and click on it> Tick
- Then choose a desired response
On an iPhone or iPad you can activate the effects manually by pressing the preview of yourself and choosing a desired effect.
You can also automatically activate some reactions, this can be done on a Mac with Apple Silicon and with hand gestures such as thumb up, thumb down, making heart with two hands and more.