Google combined its two video calling apps, Duo and Meet, into a single platform. This made it easier to schedule and join meetings, use virtual backgrounds, chat with other people in the meeting, and do other things.
The company said that extra meeting capabilities enable customers to start an instant video conversation with their entire study group or connect with their coworkers at a regularly scheduled time. Before entering a meeting, a person can modify their background or add visual effects. During the meeting, people will have access to more ways to take part, such as in-meeting chat and captions.
Mobile and tablet devices will get this update throughout the month, and other devices will get it later. Maintain the most recent version of your app to ensure a smooth transition. The company claimed to have begun rolling out these new features to the Duo app over the past few weeks, and customers are now starting to notice an update to Google Meet as the app’s name and icon.
Google Meet new features
| Current video calling features* | Additional meeting features |
| Call contacts by phone number or emailFilters and effectsSend messages and notesDoodle with family mode | Use virtual backgroundsJoin meetings with a linkSet up meetings in advance for up to 100 participantsIn-meeting chatCaptions |
Google Duo and Google Meet’s Director of Product Management, Dave Citron, stated in a blog post,
We are also launching live sharing for Google Meet. Live sharing allows all meeting participants to interact with the content that is being shared
Dave Citron added,
So whether you are co-watching videos on YouTube, curating a playlist on Spotify, taking turns while playing games like Heads Up!, UNO! Mobile or Kahoot! During an ice breaker, everyone will be able to join in on the action
