Picture-in-picture mode has long existed in Google Chrome allowing you to view your Chrome windows on top of other windows. The company behind this browser seems to be working on a feature to make picture-in-picture mode available for your video calls.
Picture-in-Picture Mode in Google Chrome
If you don’t already know, Chrome offers a mode where you can detach the tab that’s playing media in your browser. This detached window then appears over your other app windows, letting you watch your media and work in other apps at the same time.
If you use a media site like YouTube, you’ve likely used this feature in Chrome.
Videos Calls in Picture-in-Picture Mode in Chrome
Techtsp has seen in a design document that Chrome developers are working on a feature to let users use picture-in-picture for their video calls. This feature uses Media Session API, which allows users to have all their video call controls in the detached windows.
Google’s engineer Tommy Steimel says the following about this new feature, according to Techtsp:
We want to make picture-in-picture (PIP) more useful on video conferencing platforms by enabling the user to mute/unmute their microphone, enable/disable their camera, or hang up the call from the PIP window. To accomplish this, we’ll add new actions for these to the MediaSession API and let websites declare handlers for those actions.
Video Call Controls in Chrome’s Picture-in-Picture Mode
Once this feature rolls out, you’ll be able to detach your video call windows and manage your calls from them. These windows will contain the usual video call controls, like the option to mute mic, toggle on/off camera, and end the video call.
With this feature, you’ll have more control over your video calls even if you’re busy working with other apps on your computer.
Availability of Picture-in-Picture Mode for Video Calls in Chrome
The signs of this feature have only been seen in a design document. There’s no official confirmation from Google as to if and when they plan to launch this feature. Even the Canary and Dev builds haven’t got this feature, yet.
Keeping in mind that video calls from web browsers are very common, it’s likely Google will announce the aforementioned feature sometime soon.
Control Chrome’s Video Calls From Anywhere
When the aforementioned feature rolls out, you’ll be able to manage and perform actions on your video calls from any app window on your computer. Your video call window will stay on top of all other windows, giving you quick access to all the essential video call controls.