Audio By Carbonatix
Free-to-use Zoom and Skype are getting some competition: Meet, which is Google's premium video conferencing tool, is now free for everyone.
Google (GOOGL) said Wednesday that the "secure and reliable" software will become available over the next few weeks to anyone with an email address, even if it's not a Gmail account.
Meet was previously only available to users of its G Suite productivity tools, commonly used by larger companies and schools.
The work-from-home revolution brought on by the novel coronavirus sparked a teleconferencing phenomenon over the past few months.
Zoom (ZM), which has been plagued with security issues, announced last week it hosts 300 million meeting participants a day.
Facebook (FB) is adding its own entrant with a video conference tool for its Messenger app called Messenger Rooms.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in its earnings call Tuesday that Meet recently "surpassed a significant milestone" and is adding 3 million new users every day.
Usage has increased 30-fold since January and Meet now has more than 100 million daily meeting participants, according to Pichai.
Google emphasized Meet's security features, writing in a blog post that it's "designed, built and operated to be secure at scale."
Some key features include admitting or denying users into conferences and not allowing anonymous users — both problems that Zoom has attempted to stamp out with software updates. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan admitted that his company has "fallen short" on privacy and security.
Google is limiting the time for a meeting to 60 minutes, but that limit won't be enforced until September.
One hundred people can be on a Meet call, the same number allowed in a Zoom call, but Zoom limits meetings to 40 minutes on its free tier. Facebook's upcoming video conferencing tool can host up to 50 people without a time limit.
Microsoft's (MSFT) Skype can also host up 50 people on conference call for up to 4 hours.
Like Skype and Zoom, Meet will retain some premium features for G Suite customers, including dial-in phone numbers, larger meetings, and meeting recording.
Latest Stories
-
WAEC cancels 2026 results of 8,295 candidates over examination irregularities
19 minutes -
WAEC releases provisional 2026 WASSCE results for 512,862 candidates
32 minutes -
CJ’s remarks on SOEs were made in good faith, not to undermine judicial independence – Judicial Service
4 hours -
Bright Future Alliance pays courtesy call on Akufo-Addo, invites him to African Leaders of Influence Lectureship Series
4 hours -
This is an attempt to break the Minority caucus – Patricia Appiagyei on alleged GH¢70k payment
4 hours -
‘OSP hasn’t contacted me’ – Patricia Appiagyei assures cooperation if invited
5 hours -
I find it strange that this memo was purportedly written by me – Patricia Appiagyei
5 hours -
Ayariga calls for stronger church partnership to tackle sanitation, environmental challenges
5 hours -
I don’t think we have an industry – Patchbay Band manager
5 hours -
Patchbay Band questions recognition of live bands in Ghana’s music industry
5 hours -
Newsfile to discuss SOEs’ GH¢19.8bn profit, dissolution of 9 boards, CJ’s visits to SOEs, GH¢70k gift rejection
6 hours -
BoG warns against spraying, defacing and using cedi notes for decorations
6 hours -
Adwumawura: Selected applicants to receive notifications from today – NEIP CEO
6 hours -
‘Fake memo’ fabricated to smear me – Patricia Appiagyei
6 hours -
ATLF2026: Culture, investment and tourism take centre stage as Africa’s tourism leaders gather in Polokwane
6 hours