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Google Meet (original) for Android

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 2024.02.18.608176323.Release
  • 4.3

    (247)
  • Security Status

Softonic review

Kristina Schulz
Kristina SchulzUpdated 8 days ago

Mobile conferencing app

Online conferencing has been a vital part of businesses. Through it, companies and organizations are able to bring people together, regardless of where they are in the world. Hence, the rise of this software in the market nowadays. Among the best options around is Google Meet.

It is a freemium business and productivity app made by Google to meet your video conferencing needs. Google Meet replaces the company's previous products, Duo and Hangouts Meet, providing slightly different features for more advanced users. What was once a premium app is now free for all as it competes against Zoom.

Participating and hosting meetings

Google Meet enables you to host and participate in virtual meetings of up to 250 participants. Among the notable assets is that this video conferencing platform allows anyone to join the online gathering, whether or not they are a member of the same organization — all they need is the link to the meeting room. Another way to join is via dial-in, the number and PIN for which are available in the automatic email sent to participants.

Meetings are reflected on your Google Calendar once you accept the invitation. This makes it easy to remember the time, date, and agenda for your virtual assemblies. Hosting a meeting is also a breeze, as this conferencing platform allows you to start one with a simple click on the New Meeting button on the app’s home screen. Tapping on the said button will give you joining information such as the link, phone number, and PIN for the meeting.

The best part is that you can use the same link infinitely, eliminating the need for creating new meeting rooms. Scheduling a conference is also easy, though you will need the Google Calendar app for this one since you will choose the date and time of your online assembly. You can also set other details for your meeting such as the name, agenda, guest list, and notification for your invites.

Practical features for seamless conferences

What makes meetings with Google Meet convenient are the features that the app offers. Among its notable attributes is the ability to share your screen. This asset allows both the host and participants to present papers, slides, and more regardless of the device they’re using. However, those who join the meeting via phone will not be able to see or share the presentation.

Security is another important feature that you can find on this platform. As such, this online meeting app boasts cloud and end-to-end encryption to ensure a secure and private virtual conference. Additionally, Google Suite customers have additional security since they can bar people from joining the meeting if they are not part of their organization. This feature makes it easy to weed out unwanted parties before they even get inside the virtual conference room.

Other features that make conferences with Google Meet seamless are the in-meeting chat, emoji reactions, live captions for video calls, and virtual background effects. It also has a hand-raise feature that allows participants to signal if they want to talk, an asset that helps avoid cutting or speaking over the current speaker. The options for the meeting layout also provide users with flexibility on the view on their screens.

The use of Duet AI

The new Duet AI feature represents a significant advancement in image generation capabilities. This feature enables users to instantly generate images based on text descriptions, showcasing the remarkable abilities of artificial intelligence. Notably, the AI tool can even create original visuals that have never existed. This opens up a world of possibilities for users to obtain unique and personalized backgrounds for their video calls.

Users can use this feature to express themselves creatively and enhance their connections during video calls. It allows individuals to add a touch of personalization and uniqueness to their virtual interactions. Moreover, this feature also addresses privacy concerns by allowing users to safeguard the privacy of their surroundings. By generating custom backgrounds, users can prevent unintended disclosure of personal or sensitive information that may be visible in their video call backdrop.

However, it is essential to note that this feature is currently in the developmental stage. Nonetheless, its potential to revolutionize how we engage in video calls is promising.

Caveats to consider

Google Meet is certainly among the best video conferencing platforms you can use with its top-notch features. However, the app is far from being perfect. Among its limitations is the time restriction for the free version, as meetings can only last up to 60 minutes. You will have to subscribe to a plan if you wish to exceed this limit, along with getting other features such as live streaming, international dial-in numbers, meeting recordings, and administrative controls.

Another setback of this app is the recurring audio issues, in which a speaker may suddenly cut-off when speaking or their audio may not come through the call at all. There are also blank presentation problems where the screen is blank for participants despite showing up on the presenters’ end and the fact that it can load up quite slowly. There is also a limit to the number of participants displayed on the screen.

For hassle-free virtual meetings

Overall, Google Meet is a secure video conferencing software for both enterprise and personal use. It is a versatile and simple tool with all the functionality you would like for web conferencing. It works as part of an interconnected package of applications, but as a stand-alone solution, it gets the job done. It's a sound option if you're looking for a lightweight tool that's easy to get on board with.

PROS

  • Different ways to join a meeting
  • Robust security features
  • Can use the same link infinitely
  • Duet AI integration

CONS

  • Dial-in participants cannot see or share presentations
  • Time restrictions
  • Technical issues
  • Limited participants on display

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Google Meet (original) for Android

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 2024.02.18.608176323.Release
  • 4.3

    (247)
  • Security Status


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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.