In June, Google said that it would combine its two video calling services into a single one and update Google Duo to include all the features of Google Meet. And now, this upgrade, which began rolling out last month, allows everyone to access additional capabilities, including scheduling and joining meetings, virtual backdrops, in-meeting chat, and much more, in addition to your current video calling options.
Google also launched Google Meet live sharing. All conference attendees can interact with live-shared content. Everyone can co-watch YouTube videos, curate a Spotify playlist, or take turns playing Heads Up!, UNO! Mobile, or Kahoot! during an ice breaker.
Google Meet: New features
- Live sharing enables interaction with the shared content by all conference attendees.
- Additional meeting capabilities let you start a quick video conversation with your whole study group or connect with colleagues at a regularly planned time.
- Before you attend a meeting, you can change your backdrop or add visual effects.
- During the meeting, you can also use in-meeting chat and captions to participate.
Availability
Google stated that it began rolling out these new features to the Duo app over the past few weeks, and users are now starting to notice an update to Google Meet for the app’s name and icon. Mobile and tablet devices will get this upgrade throughout the month; other devices will get it later.
Speaking of the introduction, Dave Citron, Director of Product Management, Google Duo & Google Meet, said in a blog post that,
If you’re using the existing Google Meet app, there will be no change to your experience. Your existing Meet app and icon will change to Google Meet (original). You can continue using this app to join and schedule meetings, but we recommend using the updated Google Meet app to get combined video meeting and calling features all in one place. We will continue to invest in bringing more features to Google Meet to help people to connect, collaborate and share experiences on any device, at home, at school and at work.