Google Meet surpasses 50 million downloads on Play Store

Since Google Meet is now a free service for all users, it comes as no surprise that it has surpassed 50 million downloads on the Play Store. COVID-19 increased demands for apps like these, so Google opted to give all of its users access to the app that used to only be free for GSuite users. It's not surprising that it went from five million downloads at the start of March, then 10 million users 20 days later, and now over 50 million. The platform has hosted three billion minutes of video meetings daily, through its iOS, Android, and web apps.

Google Meet is similar to Zoom in that it can have a single host with up to 100 participants. Skype and Facebook Messenger, on the other hand, are limited to 50 participants for its free users. Google secures Meet by requiring users to have Google accounts and lets users create and join meetings using codes. If you use Gmail, you probably see the option to start or join a meeting on the left sidebar of the web app, making it easier to use its service.  

Source: Android Police

Google Meet is now free-to-use for all Google account users

Google Meet graduates from just being a videoconferencing solution for G Suite enterprise and education customers to now being free-to-use for anyone with a Google account. Google Meet supports up to 100 people and a single host on a single free meeting that can last any amount of time. But after September 30, meeting lengths will be restricted to 50 minutes. 

The service will gradually open up Meet to more users, and you can get an alert through this link to know when your account can get access. 

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Google Meet gets a Zoom-like gallery view, among other new features

Like other videoconferencing solutions, Google Meet has seen significant growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it makes sense that Google is working fast to release new features. The app gets some significant updates that have already started rolling out. 

One is a Zoom-like gallery view that lets you see 16 participants at once. While Zoom can take up to 49 people on the same call, the jump from four to 16 for Google Meet is a good improvement nonetheless. Google Meet will let you present a single Chrome tab starting today if you want. 

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