Zoom is launching a major update as it embraces the subscription model

Video conferencing platform Zoom has unveiled a major update that will offer chat messaging capabilities and translation tools as part of a new line of tiered annual subscription packages.

It will offer six tiers as part of what it’s calling Zoom One, including a free basic tier with access to 40-minute meetings for up to 100 people, the Zoom chat service, transcription and the Zoom Whiteboard collaboration tool.

Paid tiers with ever-increasing value and advanced features are also offered, with the top two – Zoom One Business Plus and Zoom One Enterprise Plus – including the platform’s new translation tool.

This allows users to view subtitles of a speaker translated into the language of their choice during a Zoom meeting.

The new tool will be launched in English and 10 other languages ​​including Simplified Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.

The company said it has also improved its automatic in-meeting captioning, meaning users can see real-time closed captioning by speakers in meetings, which are also available in a range of languages.

“Simplicity is at the core of everything we do,” said Zoom President Greg Tomb.

“As the Zoom platform evolved from a meeting app to a full communication platform, it was clear that introducing new packaging like Zoom One was the next step in the company’s evolution.

“By bringing together chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard and more into a single offering, we can offer our customers easy-to-manage solutions so they can focus on what matters most to their business.”

The Zoom platform gained prominence during the pandemic, as user numbers grew exponentially as millions of people went to work, education, and socialize from their homes via Zoom’s video conferencing.

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