Overview of new features

Version 2.7 - from November 2023

The new version 2.7 of BigBlueButton offers numerous improvements to the user interface.

Here we briefly introduce you to all the new features:

1. View webcams in grid layout
2. Set a webcam in focus
3. Deactivate the display of your own video stream
4. Download the presentation with and without all interactions of the meeting
5. Timer and stopwatch
6. For mobile devices: Set screen off lock
7. Reaction bar for emojis

1. View webcams in grid layout

The grid layout, which puts the webcams in focus, has been improved with a visual representation of each participant. This makes it easier to recognize who is speaking, who is present, etc., regardless of whether a webcam has been shared or not. Here's how it works

2. Set a webcam in the focus

From time to time there is a need to display a physical whiteboard or to draw the participants' attention to a specific physical area. From version 2.7, it is possible to use a webcam as the main content of the presentation area. Here's how it works

3. Deactivating the display of your own video stream

The view of your own person via the webcam can be deactivated, but it remains visible to the other participants. Here's how it works

4. Download the presentation with and without all interactions of the meeting

Downloading the presentation with all notes and comments added to the whiteboard during the meeting has been possible since version 2.6.
It is now possible to download both versions, i.e. the original presentation as well as the presentation with all interactions from the meeting. Here's how it works

5. Timer and stopwatch

The function has been added to display a countdown (timer) or a stopwatch in a meeting that all participants can see. As soon as the timer runs out, an acoustic notification is emitted, audible to all participants. Here's how it works

6. For mobile devices: Set screen off lock

If BigBlueButton is used on a mobile device, the screen off lock can now be set (if the mobile browser supports the API). If this option is activated, the screen of the mobile device remains activated, i.e. it is not dimmed and the media connection is not interrupted. Here's how it works

7. Reaction bar for emojis

The emoji reaction bar is now located under the "Raise hand" icon and makes it much easier for participants or students to reply to the moderator or teacher with emojis. The emoji is displayed in the user avatar area for one minute and remains visible until the one minute has expired or the selection is canceled. Here's how it works

Version 2.6 - from September 2023

The new version 2.6 of BigBlueButton offers numerous improvements to the user interface.

Here we briefly present all the new features:

1. Dark mode
2. Improved echo test dialog
3. Improved display during recordings
4. Pinning webcams
5. Upload virtual backgrounds for webcam
6. Setting of layout simplified
7. Download presentation incl. annotations from whiteboard
8. Move participants more easily in group rooms
9. New video recording format saves all meeting interactions
10. Completely new whiteboard implementation
11. Export shared notes to whiteboard
12. Optimized survey area

1. Dark mode

As of version 2.6, BigBlueButton supports a dark mode, which you can activate in your settings. Here's how it works

2. Improved echo test dialog

The echo test when entering a conference is no longer required with this version. This means that fewer interactions are now required to take part in a conference.
Furthermore, there is now a new display for the volume of the audio signal. This allows you as a participant to see whether your microphone is active and the microphone volume is sufficient. Here's how it works

3. Improved display for recordings

The display showing whether a conference is being recorded has been enlarged. Here's how it works

4. Pinning webcams

As a moderator, you can fix up to four different webcams on your screen. Here's how it works

5. Upload virtual backgrounds for webcam

Each user can now upload an individual background image for their own webcam from their file system.
A new slider also allows the brightness levels of the webcam or background image to be adjusted. Here's how it works

6. Setting of layout simplified

The layout, i.e. the arrangement of webcams and presentation above the screen, can now be adjusted using the blue plus button (+) "Actions" at the bottom left. Here's how it works

7. Download presentation incl. annotations from the whiteboard

Presenters can now download and distribute their presentation with the annotations added during a meeting.
If you select "Send to chat" in presentation upload mode, a link will be sent in the public chat for meeting participants to download the file. Here's how it works

8. Move participants more easily in group rooms

In the new version, the moderator can now move participants back and forth between the different group rooms more easily using drag and drop. The participants are informed that they are to be moved to another group room and can agree to this. Here's how it works

9. New video recording format saves all interactions of the meeting

This release introduces a new recording format that creates a single video file from audio, video, screen sharing, presentation and whiteboard recordings made during the session. The file format is .webm (VP9 video) by default, but can also be changed to .mp4 (H264 video) via the configuration options. The video is played in the browser. Here's how it works

10. Completely newly implemented whiteboard

The functions of the whiteboard have been completely updated and it now offers many new options for drawing. It now also allows you to edit, move, delete and change the size of drawn objects. Here's how it works

11. Export shared notes to the whiteboard

In the new version, moderators can move the shared notes to the presentation area or to the whiteboard. Here's how it works

12. Optimized survey area

The survey area has been optimized. Questions with various possible answers can be entered directly via a user-defined input. A pre-prepared text (question with possible answers) can also be inserted using drag and drop.
Here's how it works