Google Meet facts for kids
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Google Meet screenshot
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| Developer(s) | |||||||||||
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| Initial release | March 9, 2017 | ||||||||||
| Stable release(s) | |||||||||||
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| Platform | Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, Fuchsia, iOS, iPadOS, Web | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Google Duo (Google Hangouts) | ||||||||||
| Type | Communication software | ||||||||||
| License | Freemium | ||||||||||
Google Meet is a video call service made by Google. It lets you talk to people using video and audio over the internet. It took the place of an older Google app called Google Hangouts. It also replaced Google Duo for most users in November 2022.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Google made Meet free for everyone to use. Before that, only businesses and schools could use it. Many more people started using Google Meet during this time. By April 2020, about 100 million people were using it every day.
Contents
How Google Meet Started
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Google Meet first came out in March 2017. At first, you needed an invitation to use it. It was made for businesses to have video meetings with up to 30 people. You could use it on computers, Android phones, and iOS devices like iPhones.
Google Meet added new features that the old Hangouts app didn't have. But some older features, like seeing everyone and the chat at the same time, were changed. Google Hangouts was officially stopped on November 1, 2022.
In 2022, Google decided to combine Google Duo with Google Meet. This meant the Duo app on phones was renamed "Meet." The original Google Meet app is slowly being removed. Now, if you go to the Google Duo website, it sends you to the Google Meet website instead.
What Google Meet Can Do
Google Meet has many helpful features for connecting with others:
- You can make video and audio calls with one person or many people.
- The video quality can be very clear, up to 720p or 1080p.
- There's a chat box where you can type messages during a call.
- Your calls are kept private with special security.
- Some versions have a feature that blocks background noise.
- It can make your video look better in dim light.
- You can use a shared whiteboard, give reactions, or ask questions during calls.
- You can share Google Docs, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- You can share your computer screen or just one tab from your web browser.
- You can do fun activities together, like watching YouTube videos or playing mini-games.
- It works well with other Google apps like Google Calendar and Google Contacts. This makes it easy to start meetings.
- You can see a preview of who is calling before you answer.
- You can join meetings by calling a phone number, even if you don't have internet.
- The person who starts the meeting can control who joins, remove people, and turn microphones or cameras on or off.
- You can use video filters, special effects, and change your background.
- You can join meetings using a web browser or the Google Meet app on your phone or tablet.
For School and Business Accounts
If you use Google Meet through a Google Workspace account (often used by schools or businesses), you get extra features:
- More people can join a call. Depending on the account, up to 100, 150, or even 250 people can be in one meeting.
- You can call into meetings from many different countries.
- You can record the meeting to watch later.
- Some accounts allow real-time closed captioning, which types out what people are saying.
- You can blur your background or use a virtual background.
- Captions can be translated into other languages in real-time.
In 2020, Google temporarily gave these advanced features to all school and business accounts. But in 2022, some of these features became available only if you paid for them.
For Personal Accounts
In March 2020, Google made Meet available for free to anyone with a personal Google account.
- Free Meet calls can have one host and up to 100 people.
- Personal calls are not recorded or saved by Google.
- Google says they don't use your personal call data for ads.
- You need a Google Account to start a call. You can even start a Meet call right from Gmail.
How Google Meet Works
Google Meet uses special technology to make video and audio calls work smoothly. It uses codes like VP8 and VP9 for video and Opus for audio. These codes help compress the information so it can travel faster over the internet.
Google is always working to make calls better. They have a special audio code called "Lyra" that works well even with slow internet. It helps voices sound clear and not robotic, even when the internet connection is weak.
Google Meet is designed to work well on mobile phones, even with slower internet speeds. It can also adjust the video quality if your internet connection isn't strong. This helps prevent calls from breaking up.
Special Devices for Google Meet
Some companies make special devices designed for Google Meet, especially for meeting rooms.
- In 2020, Asus made hardware for Google Meet. This included a small computer, a special camera, and a microphone for conference rooms.
- Later in 2020, Google teamed up with Lenovo to create "Meet Series One." These devices include a smart camera, a smart audio bar that reduces noise, and a remote control or touchscreen. They are made to make meetings in large rooms easier and clearer.
See also
In Spanish: Google Meet para niños
- Microsoft Teams
