Google+ Now Mutes Your Mic Automatically When You Type During A Hangout

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I’m sure we’ve all been on the end of a VoIP call with someone who likes to type loudly while you’re talking to them. It’s rude and it’s annoying, particularly if they’re using a microphone built into a notebook. But a new feature built into Google+ means you’ll never have to hear that sound again during a Hangout.

Google+ now automatically mutes your microphone when it detects that you’re typing, saving other participants from your tap-tap-tapping.

The engineer behind the new feature, Tim Haloun, explained that when someone types during a Hangout, their microphone is automatically muted until they stop. They’ll see a notification — shown above — that’ll let them know they’re muted, and when they stop typing, their mic will be enabled again.

It’s a terrific idea, I think. But it does mean that those who tend to type while they’re talking will have to curb the annoying habit and take notes the old-fashioned way instead.

There is one caveat, however.

Unfortunately, the feature doesn’t work in all Hangouts — only those with 4 or more participants. So it’ll be great during big conference calls, but you’ll still have to listen to your buddy banging away on his laptop during a one-on-one.

If you’re a Hangout use, you should find the new feature in the latest Google+ update, which is rolling out now.