Google Meet, Google's “premium” videoconferencing service, becomes free for the general public to compete with Zoom.
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Non-paid Google Meet account holders will be able to enjoy unlimited video calling for longer than expected.
In a publication on his blog on April 29, the Californian giant announced that the free service would be limited to 60 minutes per communication from September 30, reports
Numerama
.
In a new message, the company said on Wednesday that it had extended this deadline to March 31, 2021 for individuals.
The initial decision was taken in the midst of a lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Google then estimated that "the technology that connects us while we are apart allows us to stay safe and productive."
A limit still set at 24 hours
Five months later, the approach of the end of the year holidays made the managers of the video call platform think.
“We want to continue helping those who rely on Meet to stay connected in the coming months,” explains Samir Pradhan, Meet Product Manager.
He evokes in his text “celebrations with less travel and key moments such as family reunions, parent-teacher meetings or weddings shared via video”.
Samir Pradhan also recalls that there is in fact a time limit per call but that it is 24 hours.
He humorously confides that he has never achieved it.
The manager also highlights the functions recently created for “more fun and more productive” communication.
These include blurring the background, streaming the video chat to a TV screen, or taking virtual quizzes between Meet users.
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