Google Meet videoconferencing software made free, to wean away business users from Zoom
Google on Tuesday made its business videoconferencing service absolve to all users, ramping up competition for Zoom as people flock online to remain connected through the pandemic.
Google Meet had previously been reserved for subscribers to the premium G Suite software tools for businesses.
Meet will be accessible “to all users all over the world, to enable persons all walks of life to communicate collaborate and really stay static in touch more effectively through the pandemic,” G Suite vice president Javier Soltaro told AFP.
Google touted security and reliability top features of Meet, and its own foundation in the California-based internet giant’s computing cloud.
Usage of video calls and conferencing has rocketed as persons work, learn, and socialize remotely while staying home to avoid the coronavirus.
Many people have turned to Zoom, which has scrambled to stem security problems such as data hacking and harassment by those who crash sessions in what's referred to as “Zoombombing.”
Google said in a blog page post that it has “invested years to make Meet a secure and reliable video conferencing solution that’s trusted by schools, governments and enterprises all over the world.”
People will require use or create free Google accounts to take part in meetings, that will have a 60-minute time cap which will be enforced starting the end of September, in line with the company.
Google said free access will roll out steadily in coming weeks.
Some six million businesses and organizations from hospitals and banks to manufacturing facilities and warehouses already using G Suite already have access to Meet video conferencing, according to Google.
The move comes days after Facebook unveiled a fresh video chat service with virtual “rooms” where persons can pop in to go to friends.
Through the Facebook Messenger application, users will have the ability to start out video call sessions that as many as 50 friends can join and linger in given that they wish, whether or not they don’t have Facebook accounts.
