Release Notes v1.12
1 December 2022
This release introduces a simpler and faster flow for users to share anything they need within a session. This release also introduces separate areas for Tools and Files, and minor changes to the agenda UI.
š New Share Flow
- The new flow lets users share or embed anything they want directly into Sessions. Apart from their screen, users can now easily share presentations, links, photos, documents, websites, agendas, third-party integrations and more.
- The old āToolsā button available during live sessions has been replaced by the āShareā button which triggers an intuitive flow that allows users to share anything instantly during a session.
- Users can now search for files, tools or agendas by their name or paste links that will automatically be embedded into the meeting, all in one place.
š Read moreĀ here
š Tools and Files
- The old Tools explorer has been separated into two distinct areas:Ā ToolsĀ andĀ Files.
- UnderĀ Tools,Ā users will find all the apps integrated with Sessions and all resources that come from these apps (Airtable, Canva, Google Docs, Miro, Mentimeter, YouTube, etc.).
- Tools developed by Sessions such as Videoshow, Slideshow and the tool used for Google Docs have been split into individual apps: ā¦ āVideoshowā has been separated into YouTube, Vimeo and Videos. ā¦ āSlideshowā has been separated into documents and presentation resources that can be found in Files. ā¦ Sessionsā tool for Google resources formerly named āGoogle Docsā has been separated into Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, thus adding individual integrations for each type of Google resource.
š Read moreĀ here
- UnderĀ Files,Ā users can find the images, documents (.pdf), presentations (.ppt/.pptx, .key) and videos (.mp4, .wmv) they have uploaded.
š Read moreĀ here
š Agenda upgraded
- The agendaās UI has been updated to be even more accessible to users.
Release Notes v1.11.1
22 November 2022
This release introduces a new registration and onboarding flow for new users, as well as improvements to the platformās Custom Branding feature.
šØ Custom Branding
- Workspace Admins and Contributors are now responsible for setting up the Custom Branding details. Once they enable the Custom branding feature, this setting will automatically apply to all Workspace members.Ā
- Workspace Admins and Contributors can choose one logo image and primary color corresponding to their brand.Ā
š More detailsĀ here
š New Accounts Registration and Onboarding Flow
- The registration flow now includes a three-step process where users can set up their Workspace, invite team members and configure Custom Branding.
- The onboarding process allows new users to jump straight into an Instant Session where all the most important features are explained. Moreover, the platformās most important features now have additional pop-up windows with short texts and GIFs that give more context to users.Ā
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.11.0
18 November 2022
This release introduces a highly requested feature and a much-anticipated tool: Events and My Product tool. These two bring more possibilities for users to better engage with their audience in more complex online or hybrid interactions.
ā Events
- This feature allows users to create a custom event directly in Sessions.Ā
- Users can create landing pages from scratch and customize them with their speakers, agenda, logo, and a banner image of their choice.Ā
- Speakers can be registered or non-registered users of Sessions.Ā
- Speakers will automatically be placed in the Spotlight for the agenda item/items theyāve been assigned to as speakers. For those agenda items only, speakers will be able to control the tool or app embedded and manage the audience.Ā
- Participants can add the event to their calendar from the eventās landing page.
š More detailsĀ here
š My Product Tool
- This tool allows the Host and participants to co-browse a website, app, tool or platform. As long as it is browser-based, Workspace Admins and Contributors can add anything to this tool.Ā
- There can only be one My Product tool per Workspace. Admins and Contributors are the only ones who can add, edit or change this tool. Other Workspace members can use this tool in any agenda or meeting.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.10.8
17 October 2022
This version improves our usersā experience while in Sessions Home and also during live meetings.
š² New sidebar navigation
- Homeās sidebar has been redesigned. All the features are now grouped and labeled to identify and access faster.
- The sidebar can now be minimized.Ā
- Contacts have been moved and can be accessed from My profile.
āļø Hover Player controls
- For the Sessions desktop version, the footerās control buttons have been redesigned to show quick access to audio and video options (e.g. Noise reduction, Hide selfview) when hovering over them.Ā
š» Full-screen mode updated
- Users can view the session in full-screen mode during live sessions, with or without Sessions UI. This update minimizes distractions and maximizes the space available to create a better, more focused experience.
š Hide agenda
- Hosts and Assistants can choose to hide the sessionās agenda from their audience. Only they will continue to see it.
Release Notes v1.10.7
12 October 2022
This release introduces a new feature available in Workspaces: the possibility of collaborating on agendas. Weāve also worked on improving our usersā experience during live sessions.
š Collaborative Agendas
- Agendasā UI has been redesigned.
- Agendas can now be shared with just individual Workspace members. Members with permissions will be able to collaborate in creating and editing agendas. While one user edits the agenda, others see who is making changes and will not be able to modify the same item simultaneously. Edits will be visible in real-time.
- Changes happen on the original agendas and are automatically saved.Ā
- Those with edit permissions cannot delete agendas.
š More detailsĀ here
š§ Settings Modal Updated
- Users can now change their sessionās notification permissions from the Settings modal.
- A sessionās Moderators (Hosts and Assistants) can now limit usersā access to Memory for Planned sessions.Ā
- Hosts and Assistants can change the name of ongoing sessions.
ā Recording Resumed after Refresh
- Suppose a recording is interrupted due to refreshing or other technical reasons. In that case, a modal appears after returning to the meeting, asking to resume the recording.
Release Notes v1.10.5
19 September 2022
This Sessions version focuses on finding better ways to manage and collaborate inside Workspaces and during live sessions.
š New Workspace Roles
- There is a new role inside Workspaces: Contributor. A Contributor can share agendas and resources within the Workspace.Ā
- The original Workspace Admin can now promote other members to the Admin role. The new Admins have full management permissions over the members, plus sharing rights for agendas and resources, just like the original Admin.
š More detailsĀ here
š Usage History for Agendas and Resources
- Users can check when and where they used a specific agenda or resource. This will include agendas, as well as past, present and future sessions.Ā
- Owners of agendas and resources shared within the Workspaces can check usage history to see how others integrated them into their work.
š Assistant Role Upgraded
- Assistants can now add, edit, or change tools and agendas during their sessions.
Release Notes v1.10.4
08 September 2022
This Sessions release focuses on allowing moderators to create better experiences for their participants.
š» Enforce View Mode for Audience
- Hosts and Assistants can now choose a View Mode for their audience to visualize the session. Once a moderator selects a specific View Mode, participants cannot switch to a different one.Ā
- According to their needs, moderators can choose View Modes that differ from the ones selected for the participants.Ā
- The default state is for the audience to have Free choice, meaning they can select their views and switch between them at any given time.
š More detailsĀ here
āļø Improvements and Resolved Issues
- The camera and mic symbols appearing on oneās video feed are now actionable.
- Users can log in directly from the pre-join screen when entering a live gathering.
- The Share Session link modal is now also available while in Collaboration View.
Release Notes v1.10.3
1 September 2022
This Sessions version gives users multiple layouts to choose from when attending live meetings. Also, moderators now have more control when it comes to managing their audience.Ā
š» View Modes
- Sessions users can now switch between four View modes according to their needs: Focus, Presentation, Collaboration, or System default.Ā
- Tools come with a default view which can be seen in the System default view.
š Audience management
- Hosts and Assistants now have more control over the audience. From the Participantsā modal, they can mute and turn a participantās camera off, add to the Spotlight, promote Assistants or remove people from the session. They can also ask participants to unmute or turn their cameras on.Ā
- Organizers and participants can efficiently manage their own camera and microphone from this modal. They can also opt to hide their self-view or change their name live.Ā
- Moderators can remove participants and ban them from re-entering the session.
āļø Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Organizers can now Hide participants from view, which if enabled will hide participants that are muted and have their camera turned off
- Solved an issue where the Log out action didnāt work in the pre-join screen
- Solved an issue where deleting an event would take a long time
- Solved an issue with connecting to Locked Sessions
Release Notes v1.10.2
22 August 2022
This Sessions version focuses on improving how organizations collaborate inside the workspaces, giving Admins more control over the content they share with the rest of the members.
š§° Sharing resources
- Admins can now share resources with all their workspace members. Admins choose which content to share with the team and which remains private.
- Members can use the shared resources in agendas and sessions just as they are or make copies of the resource and customize them.Ā
- Admins can delete resources or make them private. Admins choose whether to allow members whoāve used or are currently using the resources to continue having access to them or not.
š More detailsĀ here
š Sharing agendas
- Workspace Admins can now make their agendas public, allowing all members to access them.
- Members can directly use the agendas shared by the Admin. Once used in a session, members can customize the agenda and save their own copy.
- Admins can turn a public agenda back into a private one or entirely delete it. Admins can choose whether to allow members whoāve used or are currently using the agenda to continue having access to it or not.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.10.1
11 August 2022
This Sessions version makes it easier to have an overview and manage participants. It also improves the experience of organizing and overseeing Locked sessions.
š Participants modal
- The Participants modal has been redesigned and moved next to the interaction tools (Chat, Questions, etc.). This new placement makes it more accessible for both Owners and participants.
- With the new design, participants are split into two groups: Moderators and Attendees. Under āModeratorsā will appear the sessionās Owner and assistants, while under āAttendeesā will be listed the meetingās users and guests that are online.
- The new modal also simplifies managing the audience for individual actions (mute, make assistants, remove them from the session) or bulk actions (mute all, allow/restrict reactions, screen sharing, using the mic).
š Request to join redesigned
- The functionality around Locked Sessions has been redesigned.
- Participants awaiting to join the meeting can now be seen and given access directly from the Participants modal.
- Owners and Assistants can also accept requests to join individually or all at once.
Release Notes v1.10.0
9 August 2022
This Sessions version introduces a new and easier way for organizations to collaborate inside the platform.
š¤ Workspaces
- Admin accounts can now create one workspace for their teams. A workspace makes it simpler to have a shared overview of all the teamās contacts.
- Admins have complete control over their workspace members. A member's account can be suspended or entirely deleted.Ā Ā
- Members of a workspace can be added manually by the admin or imported from a CSV file. Members will receive an email to activate their account or a link sent privately by the admin.
š More details on Admin accountsĀ here
Release Notes v1.9.9
2 August 2022
This version of Sessions improves how Owners organize and conduct sessions. It also enhances participantsā overall experience during an online gathering.
āļø Settings modal in Player
- The āSettingsā modal has been moved to the header, next to the userās profile picture. This new placement makes it more accessible for the organizer and the audience.
š More detailsĀ here
š Advanced settings for Planned sessions
- Owners can choose a meetingās agenda from the first stages of a Planned session.
- Owners can access advanced settings like requesting permission to join and email addresses, disabling audio and disabling participantsā audio. Owners can select all their preferred settings immediately after starting a Planned session.
š More detailsĀ here
š„ Hide your camera
- To help people focus, participants can choose to hide their camera feed from themselves without stopping the other participants from seeing them.
š¤³ Mirror self-view
- For a more natural, familiar feel, participants can opt to rotate their camera to self-view.
š Lock session
- Participants will require the Ownerās approval to join the session.
š§ Request guests' email
- Unregistered Sessions users will be required to submit their email addresses before joining the gathering if this setting is active.
Release Notes v1.9.8
15 July 2022
This Sessions version immensely simplifies the chaotic back-and-forth process of booking a session by introducing theĀ Book meĀ feature. It also includes integrations with Evernote and Notion, allowing My Notes to be sent to these two platforms. Moreso, guest can now submit their email addresses live to receive notes, Takeaways and Resources.Ā
š Booking made easy
- Users can now create eventsĀ and share them publicly. As a result, others can easily pick the most convenient day and hour to book a session from the time slots available.
- This feature can be embedded as a page, component or widget in external websites to make booking even more accessible.Ā Ā
- When a user books a time slot, this becomes unavailable for other users to book.Ā
- The 'Book me' feature checks the userās availability across all the calendars synced to their Sessions account to avoid double booking.
š More detailsĀ here
š Notes sent to Notion and Evernote
- Users can sync private notes from a session to their Notion and Evernote accounts.
- This feature requires users to have both a Notion/Evernote and a Sessions account.
š§ Notes, Takeaways and Resources for guests
- Unregistered users can now submit their email addresses during the live session to receive the meetingās takeaways, resources, and personal notes in their inbox.
- Users can submit their email addresses from My Notes. Theyāll only receive that sessionās notes, takeaways and resources.
Release Notes v1.9.7
12 July 2022
This release enhances the overall experience of both Owners and participants. Owners can now import Pitch presentations directly into Sessions. Also, they can enjoy a more straightforward way of accessing and sharing the sessionās link.Ā
š§© Pitch Integration
- Owners can now import Pitch presentations and integrate them seamlessly into their sessions.
š More detailsĀ here
š Share session link
- When Owners are alone in a session, a modal appears, allowing them to easily access and share the sessionās link with other participants.Ā
- Owners also have a QR code in this modal if they want to join the session via their phones and experience it through their participantās eyes.
Release Notes v1.9.6
04 July 2022
This Sessions version introduces two new features that improve how users manage their resources and participants:Ā Tools explorerĀ andĀ Contacts.Ā
š§ Tools explorer
- Users can manage all their resources from Tools explorer: add, rename, duplicate, delete.Ā Users can upload, edit and revise resources easier.Ā Users can complete bulk actions for multiple resources at once.
š More detailsĀ here.
š Contacts & Groups
- Users can add new contacts and arrange them into groups. This makes it easier to manage and add participants to a session because the user can invite one or more groups at once.
- Users can complete bulk actions when managing contacts like adding to an existing or new group, exporting or deleting them.
- Users can also sync contacts from Google & Office 365 accounts or .csv files.Ā Ā
- Users can start Instant or Planned sessions directly from Contacts.
š More detailsĀ here
āļø Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Core improvements have been made to ensure the platformās stability and performance optimization.
- Other bug fixes have been implemented.
Release Notes v1.9.5
20 June 2022
This version of Sessions makes it easier for participants to set up their audio and video preferences before entering the live event. It also includes improving the Polls tool to allow open-ended questions and other bug fixes.Ā
š» New Pre-join Screen
- Users can now preview their video feed before entering the session.
- Users can also test their audio & video settings and review them if necessary.Ā
- They can also opt for a virtual background picture or blur.Ā
- Unregistered users will enter their chosen names for the session.
āļø Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Participants can now type their text answers to questions submitted in Polls.Ā Audio & video input were not properly detected by non-Chromium browsers.
Release Notes v1.9.4
13 May 2022
This version improves users' experience in Sessions by allowing them to easily find and interact with their ended, live or upcoming online gatherings.Ā
š Smart Search
- Smart Search is constantly present wherever the user navigates in Sessions, except during live gatherings.
- Users can find a session by searching for its title, a participantās name or email address, or the name of a file shared in Resources.Ā
- Searching and clicking on an ended session redirects users to Memory. An upcoming session redirects users to Lobby, and a session that has started takes them to the live gathering.
š More detailsĀ here
āļø Improvements and Resolved Issues
- When sharing their screen, users will see their shared content now displayed on the screen, just like the rest of the participants. This helps users have a visual confirmation of what is shared and recorded.Ā
- Going full screen will, by default, minimize the participantsā bar, so the shared content is more visible on the screen.
- āEnd for meā is now the default option when closing a session. Miro board creation and selection in preview mode is now fixed.
- A Form tool added in a recurrent session was not loading and is now fixed.
Release Notes v1.9.3
20 April 2022
This Sessions version brings game-changing features and updates. Sessions introduces a new feature, Breakout Rooms, and an improved version of Memory. The latter allows for data management at a sessionās level and offers a comprehensive overview of all sessions with valuable metrics and statistics.
Additionally, recordings are now automatically uploaded to cloud storage. This helps users revisit sessions easier by watching recordings directly in Sessions. We also added a new feature that lets you create Ad hoc Polls during live sessions.
š Breakout Rooms to split participants
- Owners can now split participants into smaller groups in separate rooms.
- Owners can assign participants to rooms or give attendees the freedom to choose their own rooms and switch between them.
- Owners and Assistants have an overview of all the rooms, which helps them manage better. They get notified when participants from a specific room raise their hands and ask questions, so they can join that room and assist.Ā
- They can send Chat messages visible across rooms.
š More detailsĀ here
š§ Memory as a Data Management system for a session
- Memory stores every relevant detail about an ended session that youāve organized or been invited to:Ā ā¦ Each sessionās list of participants ā¦ Time-related & performance metrics: date, duration, efficiencyĀ Ā ā¦ Sessionās agenda and its incorporated tools ā¦ Content: Chat conversations, Polls created, Questions submitted, Resources shared, My Notes writings
- Owners can directly schedule a follow-up gathering that preserves the same participants and Agenda. To create continuity between the two sessions, contents from Chat, Resources, Polls, Questions, and My Notes from the last session will be available in the follow-up.
- Users can save an ended sessionās agenda as a template for future online conferences.
š More detailsĀ here
š Memory Dashboard to overview all sessions
- The platformās data management system gathers individual sessionsā info and transforms them into useful performance metrics for the user.Ā Ā
- Users have an overview of all their ended sessions for the chosen month.
- Users can filter sessions by ownership, type, attendance, and recording, or they can find a specific gathering by searching for participants or resources.
š More detailsĀ here
ā Recordings uploaded to cloud storage
- Recordings will be automatically uploaded to cloud storage during the session (for Chrome users) or after the session ends (for Safari users).Ā
- Recordings are visible in Memory for all of the sessionās participants. Users can watch the recording directly in Sessions and download it.
- The default state allows participants access to recordings, but Owners can change this preference and restrict access.
š More detailsĀ here
š Ad hoc Polls in live sessions
- Owners can create polls where participants submit answers in real-time.Ā
- Instant polls can be created during live sessions, or prepared in advance, in the Lobby of a Planned session. Polls will remain on standby until the session starts.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.9.2
13 April 2022
This version focuses on starting, planning and joining sessions outside of our platform in two ways: through Sessions' extension browser and Google Calendar add-on.
Sessions' extension allows users to start and schedule sessions directly from the browser's toolbar. Google Calendar add-on helps users select Sessions as their conference platform when planning a meeting there.
š§© Sessions Browser Extension
- This extension allows users to start instant sessions or schedule online gatherings directly from their browserās toolbar. Ā It is compatible with Chrome, Edge and Firefox.Ā
- Users can also see their list of upcoming sessions in the extension.Ā
- A session planned through the extension also appears in Sessionsā Home and built-in Calendar, with the same details (name, date, time) as configured in the extension.
š More detailsĀ here
š Sessions Google Calendar Add-on
- This add-on gives users the possibility to add Sessions as their conference provider when scheduling gatherings in Google Calendar.
- An appointment scheduled in Google Calendar with Sessions as the platform of choice appears in Sessionsā Home and built-in Calendar with the same details (name, date, time) as configured in Google Calendar.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.9.1
31 March 2022
This new version is centered around two updates:Ā ReactionsĀ andĀ Office 365 Calendar integration.Ā ReactionsĀ encourage participants to engage and give live feedback to their speakers. The other improvement is the integration with Office 365, which allows users to sync this calendar with Sessions and view their events on our platform.Ā
š Reactions
- Owners, Assistants, and audience members can now react in real-time.Ā
- The option toĀ Raise your handĀ is now hosted by theĀ ReactionsĀ button.Ā
- Each reaction is visible to all participants, followed by the name of the person who reacted.
š More detailsĀ here
š Office 365 Calendar Integration
- Users can now sync Office 365 Calendar with Sessionsā built-in Calendar, so the events scheduled in Office 365 Calendar can be available in Sessions too.
š More about CalendarĀ here
Release Notes v1.9
9 March 2022
Sessions just got a major level-up
Everything got easier, faster and more flexible than ever.
Version 1.9 brings significant upgrades to Sessions' design and dynamic. These improvements come as a result of our community's feedback and involvement in the creation process. As a user-first product, our mission is to serve our community.
The main upgrade which triggered everything else, including changes in design, is that Agendas and meetings are now separate. A session doesn't depend anymore on the presence of an Agenda. The latter can be created, edited and previewed on its own before a meeting, or it can be built, incorporated, and changed during a live session.
š¤ Smoother Instant & Planned Sessions
- OldĀ Quick sessionĀ becomesĀ Instant Session. An Instant Session now allows users to configure all tools or import Agendas in a live meeting.Ā
- OldĀ From scratchĀ session becomesĀ Planned Session. It still allows users to schedule a meeting ahead of time while permitting the usage of tools as a stand-alone, independent of the agenda.Ā
- TheĀ AgendaĀ is now optional.
- Users can organize sessions without it.Ā Users can create, add and edit tools & agendas in real-time during any live session.
- Adding the duration for each Agenda item is now optional. If durations are set, theĀ AutopilotĀ setting can be activated, and the Agenda will play on its own.
š“ Improved overall in-session experience
- The UX/UI of live sessions has been redesigned to enable frictionless experiences.
- The control bar has been upgraded.Ā
- Users can enjoy multiple participant views, including a Grid view.
- SpotlightĀ now stands out as a popover on top of any tool used.
- The full-screen view experience has been improved.
š More detailsĀ here
š Planned Session improvements
Lobby updates:
- Owners can plan & edit a sessionās details while in Lobby (date, time and duration).Ā
- Owners can customize the Lobby through a rich collection of cover photos thanks to ourĀ Unsplash integration, the systemās cover selectionĀ or by uploading a picture link.
š More detailsĀ here
Agenda templates:
- Users can buildĀ Agenda templatesĀ independent of a session, directly from Home.Ā Ā
- Agenda templates can be previewed before importing them into an Instant or Planned Session.They can choose from over 30+ ready-to-use Agenda templates.
š More detailsĀ here
š Improved Home Experience
- Homeās UX/UI has been redesigned.
- Users have complete overview of their sessions while in Home.Ā
- Sessions can be filtered or sorted so that users can have better control over their present, upcoming or finished meetings.
š More detailsĀ here
š Calendar
- Two new integrations give users better control over their meetings: Office 365 sync andĀ iCloud sync.Ā Users canĀ sync multiple calendars from the same provider.Ā Ā Calendarās design has been updated.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.8.4
15 February 2022
This new version integrates three new tools: Airtable, Mentimeter, and Slido. Mentimeter and Slido empower Owners to engage their audiences smoothly and efficiently. Airtable integration simplifies the process of reviewing spreadsheets that can now be displayed in Sessions. We also improved our Smartboard's interface, and we added the possibility to use Keynote presentations in Slideshow.
š§© Mentimeter integration
- Users can share Mentimeter interactive presentations in Sessions for their audience to engage in, like live polls, quizzes, Q&As and many more.
- Owners can allow participants to see the results live in Sessions or keep them private.
š More detailsĀ here
š§© Slido integration
- This tool allows Owners to engage with their participants in live polls, quizzes, surveys or word builders.Ā
- Participants can vote directly in Sessions.
š More detailsĀ here
š§© Airtable integration
- Users can now visualize all types of Airtable resources previously created while being present in an online session.
š More detailsĀ here
š Keynote files in Slideshow
- Users can now upload Keynote presentations in Slideshow along with the other supported formats.
š More detailsĀ here
š¼ļø More Smartboard actions
- Users now have easier access to the options for customizing drawings on our native Smartboard.
- We also implemented keyboard shortcuts for frequently used actions.
- Save your working session outcome now available in Smartboard.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.8.3
03 February 2022
With this version of Sessions, we added the option of customizing your streamingās background with images. We also improved the Active Speaker feature to enable better communication between participants with fewer distractions. We also changed the preview for email notifications to be more detailed.
š¼ļø Custom virtual background with images
- Users can now choose from a selection of images to customize their streamingās background.
- Participants can configure this setting during a live session by accessingĀ More actionsĀ āĀ SettingsĀ āĀ BackgroundĀ from the Control bar.
š£ļø New behavior for the Active Speaker feature
- In sessions with 2-4 participants: the Attendeesā video streams will be promoted to the main screen. Their videos will not be taken down when they become inactive.
- In sessions with more than 4 participants: Four of the participantsā video streams will be promoted to the main screen. Their video streams will not be taken down from the main screen when theyāve stopped talking. They will be replaced only when other participants start speaking.
āļø These behaviors are valid for the classic Conference mode, when no other participant has been promoted to the Spotlight.
š More details about Active SpeakerĀ here
š Detailed email preview
- When receiving an email invitation to a session, the email preview shows time-related information about that online interaction.Ā
- This helps users gather essential information about the meeting just by looking at the preview of the email.
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Slideshow slides were only partially visible for participants.
- Joining Sessions through LinkedIn created an account with no name.
Release notes v1.8.2
26 January 2022
Version 1.8.2 welcomes two new integrations with Adobe XD and Canva. Courtesy to these updates, our users can easily export designs or prototypes in Sessions and share them in their online meetings.
š§© Adobe XD
Users can easily export prototypes and designs from Adobe XD in Sessions.Ā The designs are stored privately on our platform. Each user has access to their own exported designs and can share them in a meeting.
š More detailsĀ here
š§© Canva
Users can export any visual resource they design in Canva and later use it in their online gatherings.Ā The designs are stored privately on our platform. Each user has access to their own exported designs and can share them in a meeting.
š More detailsĀ here
Release Notes v1.8.1
24 January 2022
With this version, Assistants can contribute to writing the Takeaways, guest users can add a future session in their calendar to be reminded of it, and participants can send GIFs and write multiline messages in Chat.
We also included notifications for when Attendees have no internet connection, and the possibility to check the audioās performance.Ā
š Assistants take over Takeaways
Assistants now have control over Takeaways and help the Owner write the meetingās main points.Owner and Assistant(s) can edit taking turns, not simultaneously.Ā Participants are notified when somebody takes over Takeaways.
š More detailsĀ here
š¬ Chat improvements
Participants can now:
sendĀ GIFsĀ to animate Chat conversations.Ā add multiple linesĀ in their Chat messages by pressingĀ Shift + Enter/Return.Ā ThisĀ makes the texts easier to read.
š More details about ChatĀ here
š Add to calendar
Guests* invited to a session via public link now have the option to add the event manually to their calendar to be reminded of it. This option is available in Lobby.Ā Each guest* can choose where to save the session: Apple calendar, Google, Outlook, Outlook.com, Outlook Office, Yahoo.
*users who donāt have a Sessions account
ā No internet connection status
When participants have no internet connection, a notification banner will inform them about this.Ā The session will automatically reload after the connection is restored.
š Audio check
Users can now go toĀ Audio/Video SettingsĀ and test that microphones and speakers are working correctly.
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
Minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.8
12 January 2022
Version 1.8 introduces new features meant to improve the quality of our communityās sessions. We implemented the possibility to reduce noise and add a blurred background. We also introduced a series of questions that give us a more detailed view of our first-time userās needs.
š Noise reduction
Participants now have the option to enable theĀ Noise reductionĀ setting during a session. (More actions - Settings - Toggle Noise Reduction)
š More detailsĀ here
š Blurred background
Sessions users can now customize their background. They have three options to choose from:Ā No effect,Ā Light blurĀ orĀ Strong blur, depending on the intensity desired for this setting.
š More detailsĀ here
ā Community survey
To develop a better product continuously, Sessions will ask first-time guests a set of control questions. They will help us have a more in-depth understanding of our usersā needs.Ā
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Share screen issues fixed
- Copy updates
- Other minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.7 ā Christmas edition š
24 December 2021
This version announces considerable improvements for Sessions, starting with the availability of our Mobile responsive version. We also implemented steps for quicker Agenda planning, the possibility of voting on public questions, a friendlier UX for when participants join the same session from multiple devices, and a more visible process for downloading recordings.
š² Sessions Mobile responsive version
Participants can now join and engage in sessions via mobile devices.Ā Owners can create Quick Sessions and immediately invite participants to join them or start a session previously planned via our Desktop version.
š More detailsĀ here
āØ Quick Menu actions with keyboard shortcuts
When creating the sessionās Agenda, the Owner can now edit individual or bulk Agenda items using keyboard shortcuts.
ā Voting on public questions
Attendees can now vote on the most relevant inquiries submitted publicly inĀ Questions.Ā Owners and Assistant(s) cannot vote on public questions, but they can submit questions on which participants can vote.
š More detailsĀ here
š» Disconnecting when joining from multiple devices
When participants join a session using the same user, either from multiple tabs/browsers on the same device or separate ones, the sessionās transmission from the original tab/device will be interrupted.Ā Ā Participants receive a message informing them they have already joined this session with their current account.
ā Downloading notification bar for recordings
A notification banner appears now to inform you that the downloading process of the recording has started.
š More detailsĀ here
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.6
16 December 2021
The latest version of Sessions will save you even more time and energy when preparing and running a meeting. The Conference Tool now boasts a new default mode called Active Speaker, which means whoever is speaking will take the hero spot on the screen. This is available for both Quick and Planned Sessions. Weāve also redesigned the Agenda Builder to make it faster and easier to design your sessions.
š£ Active Speaker - default feature for video-conferencing
The video feed of the meetingās four most active speakers will automatically be promoted to the main screen, giving everybody a better view of them.Ā Ā The default Active Speaker mode will automatically be deactivated if you select the Spotlight tool and if you assign at least one participant to the Spotlight.
š More detailsĀ here
š Agenda enhancements
- Conference tool is now set as the default for any Agenda item in case no other tool has been selected.Ā You can now select multiple Agenda items at once and edit them all at once.Ā Ā Ā Resources uploaded in Agenda tools are automatically selected and opened in preview mode.Ā Itās now easier to change the duration of each item. Plus, if the time you set for your meeting doesnāt match the total duration of your agenda blocks, you can fix it with the click of a button.
- Adding and customizing tools now follows a logical step-by-step process. Weāve also organized the tools into categories.
š More detailsĀ here
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Spotlight: When you invite participants to join the Spotlight, they are automatically put on the main screen, without them having to accept manually.
- Quick Session: The Iframe tool has been added to Quick Session, so you can now show and discuss web pages during your meetings.Ā
- Iframe: Browse your embedded websites in Iframe and easily return to the initially shared page with one click (Reload button: top right corner).
- Participants audience scroll: Itās now easier to navigate through the participant list in the audience bar.
- Screen-share not loading: Weāve stabilized the share-screen feature since some participants experienced loading issues.
Release Notes v1.5.1
3 December 2021
Version 1.5.1 brings a new tool, Iframe, which allows Owners to embed external web pages into the meeting. It is now also possible to have anonymous answers in your meetingās surveys. Additionally, improvements to the appearance/visibility of the Spotlight and Share screen controls have been made, and also for downloading the recordings locally on your device.
š Iframe tool, in-house built
Iframe allows Owners to insert external web pages into their session.
š Form
It is now possible to make all Form answers anonymous. The Owner can change the Form setting while designing the Agenda or during the live session.
š More details about FormĀ here
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Recording: A sessionās recording can now be saved to your personal device even if the file exceeds the 2GB limit. The recordings remain stored on our platform for up to 30 days.Ā
- Sound notifications: After a meeting starts, sound notifications for participants who later join/rejoin the session are turned off. This way, the meeting maintains its continuity.Ā
- Share Screen & Spotlight feature: Share screen and Spotlight window controls have now received an improved UI/UXĀ for better accessibility and visibility. The controls are triggered in the same way by moving the mouse on a larger area inside and outside the window for both Spotlight and share screen.
- Takeaways: Information about attachments was not displayed in takeaways and is now fixed.
- Custom branding: The reset colors button was not reverting to defaults once used and functionality is now fixed.
Release Notes v1.5
12 November 2021
Version 1.5 brings multiple new features for professional use such as 250 participants limit (previously 50), recording, custom branding, and dark mode.
š Dark mode
For our users who prefer darker tones, now the UI can shift colors at the flip of a switch. Access your profile and choose between the two versions: light or dark. The Dark mode turns the background black and the text white in order to protect the eyes of those who use the platform for long periods of time.
š Custom branding
This feature allows Owners to change the logo and the colors of Sessions (including buttons and invitation emails) for a personalized look. Using this feature, you can transform Sessions to match your companyās brand.
š„ Conference
A session can now support 250 participants simultaneously (up from 50 in the previous version).Ā
š“ Recording a session
This feature is available for Owner and Assistants, and they need sufficient disk space on their device to save the recording locally. Participants are informed when the recording starts.The recording can be seen by everyone if itās uploaded manually in the sessionās Resources.
š More detailsĀ here
š„ Share screen
- The Share screen functionality is now available to all participants in a meeting, not only to those in Spotlight. The Owner and the Assistant can stop the share screen of another participant at any time.
- Sharing your screen is possible during all types of Agenda items. Regardless of the Agenda tool chosen in Designer, and displayed in Player during the meeting, you can share your screen at any time.When a video is playing, participants cannot share their screen.
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.4
6 October 2021
Version 1.4 presents the synchronization of Sessionsā Calendar with the Google Calendar to aid Gmail users in optimizing their meeting schedules.
š Sync with Google Calendar
Your Google Calendar meetings are visible in Sessionsā built-in Calendar Sessions, hence, planning your schedule is streamlined by viewing all the upcoming meetings.
š More detailsĀ here
š Figma
Now your Figma designs can be zoomed in/out. The image is always fit to its full width, while still having the ability to scroll up and down in case of larger images.
š More detailsĀ here
šØ Gallery & Figma
To navigate to the previous/following images or designs in these two Agenda items, press the arrow keyboard, also known as the cursor movement keys.
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.3
17 September 2021
Version 1.3 brings improvements for multiple processes in Sessions: from the registration of first-time guests, to the registration page, to introducing a friend to Sessions.
š āāļø Participants RSVP
The Owner is now informed of the intention of the participant to accept, decline, or maybe attend a session, even if they responded from Google Calendar, Outlook, Yahoo, or other email providers. This information is available in Calendar.
š More details about CalendarĀ here
ā First-time users joining a session
Unregistered users now only insert their full name, allowing the system to remember that name for future access and can enter the session.Ā At the end of a session, unregistered users are invited to create an account in order to receive Takeaways, Resources, or My notes via email.Ā
š§ Adding multiple email addresses
Owners and Assistants can add more participants faster by inserting multiple email addresses continuously in the input field in theĀ Add participantsĀ module.
š More detailsĀ here
š¤ Referring a friend process
A new button was added that triggers a pop-up with a link for users to introduce others to Sessions.
š Registration page improvements
TheĀ Full nameĀ field now accommodates a maximum number of characters of 120.Ā The password complexity has been updated.
š More detailsĀ here
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
Minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.2
2 September 2021
This version introduces new integrations with tools meant to help our users display content created on other platforms. Additionally, it brings improvements to our built-in functionality, Form.
šØ Figma
The integration with this vector graphics editor and prototyping tool offers Sessions andĀ FigmaāsĀ users the capability to export wireframes and other designs and exhibit them in a meeting.
š More detailsĀ here
š§ Twitch
The integration with the web-based video live streaming service offers users the ability to play videos fromĀ TwitchĀ in a Sessions meeting.
š More detailsĀ here
š Form
- It is now possible for the Owner and Assistant to vote while in Player.
- Participants can see the answers to the Form by default.
- While in Designer, by clicking on the Arthur icon on the right corner, the Audience Controller is displayed with settings available to the Owner.
š More detailsĀ here
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
Minor bug fixes
Release Notes v1.1
5 August 2021
This version introduces notifications for the Player mode. Hence, when you are Live with your team and a participant does something either you, as the owner or everyone is notified, thus, allowing the Participants to be informed. Finally, improvements have been made to Player and Calendar.
š Assistant role
Sessions introduces the Assistant role, a new feature that helps the Owner stay in control of the participantsā experience. After a session has started, participants are displayed notifications that let them know key pieces of information.Ā
ā Notifications
Notification seen only by the Owner & Assistant
- When you have a new question sent by a participant
- When your request towards a participant to unmute or to join the Spotlight is declined
- When a participant raises their hand
- When the time of the Agenda item is ending
Notifications seen by everyone
- When a participant entered or left the session
- New chat messages
- Uploaded resources (files or links)Ā
- When everyone is muted by the Owner
Notification seen by the participant
- When a participant mutes their microphone
- When the participant is muted by the owner
- When the Owner or Assistant revoked the Spotlight invitation towards the participant
- When the Owner removed the participant from the Spotlight
- When the participant has been made an Assistant
- When the participant has been removed from the Assistant role
ā Improvements and Resolved Issues
- Other bug fixes
- Security enhancements
Release Notes v1.0
19 July 2021
This version introduces new features, significant improvements to our existing capabilities, and a new design to our web-based application. It presents never-seen-before functionalities for the Calendar and sharing participantās screen. The version treats security issues and bug fixes.
š Agenda
You can now add all the Agenda items for a session one after the other, without having to configure each item (i.e. adding a tool to it). Depending on the time allocated, add all the items with minimum information about them (title, description and timing) to fill the meeting and configure them individually later.
š More detailsĀ here
š Starting a session
It is now possible to start a session an hour before the scheduled start time.
šāāļø Publishing a session
- If you, theĀ Owner,Ā complete the configuration for a session and publish it 10 minutes before the scheduled time, you are redirected to the Lobby. From there, it is possible to wait or start the session.
- It is now possible to publish a session even if the Owner has created an agenda with less time configured than the selected time of the whole meeting. For example, a meeting has 30 minutes, and it contains a 20-minute slideshow, the owner is able to publish it. The session duration is adjusted to last 20 minutes.
š Home
After log-in, a user is greeted with the homepage, which, beginning with this version, has new visual elements:
š More detailsĀ here
š° Visualizing events
Events are now displayed in a list with their respective start time and Owner. By default, after log-in, the events from the current day are displayed. To see future or past events, use the arrowheads at the top of the list to navigate between dates. Click on a specific session to see its details: participants, starting time, duration,Ā Join the sessionĀ or delete buttons.Ā
š Calendar
- TheĀ Calendarās interface has been modified to better fit the user's needs.
Changes and improvements to Calendar layout structure and navigation:
- New action button for creating sessions. Options are: Quick session, From Scratch and From Template.
- New mini widget calendar available in the Month/Week/Day views.Ā
- New widget for filtering sessions.
- New Sessions color scheme.
š More detailsĀ here
š£ New Session
Launching a new session is now possible through the use of theĀ New sessionĀ button at the top left ribbon. By clicking it, a drop-down list is displayed with the following options:
- Quick Start
- From Scratch
- From template
š RSVP
It is now possible to answer an invitation from the Calendar. Participants who have a sessions account are now able to respond to a session invitation via email. Another option to respond to an invite is in the Notifications section. Options are Accept, Decline or Maybe. For more info, see Getting Started>How to join a session.
š More detailsĀ here
š Widget
On the left panel, a new widget has been added. It depicts the month selected in the calendar with bullets marking the sessions. Use the arrowheads to navigate between months.
š Filters
What events are displayed in the Calendar can be modified with the use of filters found at the button on the left corner of the screen. It is possible to choose one of the three types of sessions: Published, Invited, Draft.
š©āš« Miro
Miro is a simple-to-use online whiteboard built to help you collaborate with others. Miro is available in the Ownerās list of available tools for a planned session. It can be used with or without a Sessions account.
š More detailsĀ here
š¼ Gallery
A new Agenda tool namedĀ GalleryĀ has been added. It is the simplest tool for compiling presentations made exclusively from still images, such as lectures or portfolios.
š More detailsĀ here
ā User Interface
- Creating, editing and saving Agenda tools has been redesigned. The process is smooth and intuitive:
- When adding an Agenda item, it is mandatory to first insert a name (optional a description and time). Only after inserting the title the list of tools will become available.
- The pop-up window for the configuration has been replaced by a center panel displaying the tools.
- TheĀ ConfigureĀ button has been deleted. Instead, after each selection, the auto-save has been implemented.
š» New Share Screen feature
Spotlighted participants are now able to share their screens as the main container when using the Conference tool. This feature is also available when using other tools, as a picture-in-picture window that can be moved and resized.
š More detailsĀ here
š Participantsā RSVP status displayed
Session owners can now see the participantās RSVP status in the session preview and the participantsā lists from Lobby and Player.
š Platform-based features
- Navigation Bar:Ā It has been redesigned to accommodate new features.
- Contacts:Ā A user can access other users and groups, search for particular contacts, and add contacts.Ā
- In-app Notification System: There are new types of notifications with two statuses (read and unread) marked with a green dot near the icon. The number of unread notifications is now displayed. This version also contains a button Mark all as read, which changes the status of all unread notifications to read.Ā Help section:Ā It contains tours, templates, demos and links toĀ Help Center.
- UserĀ Profile:Ā The interface of the profile has been redesigned to display the membership, aĀ Visit Help CenterĀ and aĀ Contact usĀ buttons, as well asĀ Join on Slack and Notion.Ā
- Email:Ā The structure of the emails announcing modifications of a session has been improved. The Attendees receive short and clear updates when being invited to a meeting or when receiving Takeaways or My Notes from a session they attended.
- Tooltips:Ā When hovering over the icon of a tool, the corresponding tooltip is displayed.