What are Google Meet and Chat and how do they work?

(Pocket-lint) – Companies and individuals are relying more on virtual meeting and chat services, especially with the increasing popularity of home working. Google has its own tools called Google Meet and Google Chat. These were formerly part of Google Hangouts, and, more recently, Meet has taken on all of the features available from Google Duo and the two services are combined in the new Google Meet app.

The old Google Meet app still exists, but it’s now called Google Meet (original) and it doesn’t have all the new features. It’s expected that this app will be depreciated at some point in the future. Here’s everything you need to know about Google Chat and Meet.

What are Google Meet and Google Chat?

These apps form communications services that enable text, voice, or video chats, either one-on-one or in a group.

They are built into Gmail, YouTube, and Google Voice, plus there are apps for iOS, Android, and the web. It’s essentially a useful and cost-effective collaboration platform for the average person as well as enterprise customers. Chat is a messenger app, probably closest to Slack in how it works, but is currently only available for Google Workplace users allowing you to share Docs, Sheets and Slides with colleagues.

Google Meet is the consumer video calling app for up to 100 participants, so acts as a Zoom rival and will have a lot of appeal to regular users outside of businesses.

Google Meet is for group calls and meetings

Google describes Meet as “a video meeting experience with one goal: make joining meetings effortless”. The company wanted to improve Hangouts to make it easier and faster for people start and join video conferences. Google Meet has a very light, fast interface and enables you to easily manage up to 500-person meetings.

To instigate meetings you originally needed to have a G Suite account, but Google is now making it available to everyone – with varying levels of functionality. You can find it at meet.google.com and it runs in the browser if you’re using a PC.

Google Chat is for chat communication around teams and projects

Chat is “an intelligent and secure communications tool, built for teams. From direct messages to team chat rooms, Chat makes team communication easy and efficient.” says Google.

The idea behind it is that teams working on a project should be able to discuss tasks, share work, and more – it’s more like Slack, really. Chat offers virtual rooms, threaded conversations, and integration with other Google products like Drive. Again, it’s a simple and light interface so it’s fast to use and you can find it at chat.google.com – although Chat is only available to G Suite users.

How does Google Meet work?

Video conferences

To start your meetings, you’ll simply share a link.

There will be no accounts, plugins, downloads, or hassles if you’re already in the Google ecosystem and signed into a browser like Chrome. People can click on a link from Google Calendar, an email invite, or an ad-hoc share. And if you’re dialling in from a conference room, your laptop, or a dedicated mobile app, it’s just a few clicks and you’re in.

Presentations

Meet offers native, full-screen presenting, which makes it easy to showcase your team’s projects, although the sharing options aren’t as dynamic as those you’ll find in Zoom, although there is the useful option to share a single Chrome tab.

G Suite integration

G Suite is Google’s package of cloud-based services that can provide your company or school with a new way to work together online.

You get a domain name and access to Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and other G Suite services like Meet. For G Suite Enterprise customers, each meeting has a dedicated dial-in phone number.

Duo features

With the merge of Google Duo, Meet has taken on all of Duo’s features. This means you can use Google Meet in a similar way to Apple FaceTime, calling someone directly, and using their phone number, without having to send links or a calendar invite.

For existing users of both Duo and Meet, your history, contacts, and messages remain available in the new version making the transition as easy as possible.

How does the Google Duo merge affect Google Meet users?

For now, existing Meet users can continue using the Google Meet app, although they might notice its name change to Google Meet (original). At some point in the future, though, it’s likely that Google will encourage users over to the new Google Meet app, which was formerly Google Duo. The new app has all of the additional features that the merge brings, whereas the original app will likely remain stagnant.

Best iPhone apps 2022: The ultimate guideBest iPhone apps 2022: The ultimate guide By Maggie Tillman . 30 April 2022

These are the absolute best iPhone apps available right now, from productivity apps to apps for traveling, reading, listening to music, and more.

How does Google Chat work?

Virtual rooms (channels)

Chat features dedicated, virtual rooms for each project your team may have – with threaded conversations, so your team can chat and track the progress of the discussion.

As you’d expect, it also has deep integration with G Suite, so you can share content from Drive and Docs, or you can view things like photos and videos directly from a conversation. There’s also a filterable search so you can search back through old discussions.

Third-party integrations

Chat is a platform, too, so that means you can expect third-party integrations in the form of bots, which will allow your teams to do more within their conversation. It has already teamed up with companies like Asana, Box, Prosperworks and Zendesk.

Writing by Maggie Tillman and Dan Grabham.

Editing by Luke Baker.

Tags:

autodesk listed on couponmatrix.ukkickers listed on couponmatrix.ukmyprotein-com listed on couponmatrix.uknars listed on couponmatrix.ukneonbeach listed on couponmatrix.uksnag-tights listed on couponmatrix.uk
autodesk listed on couponmatrix.ukCreatives can get up to speed on the latest design, modelling and engineering software, with an Autodesk promo code. With industry leading software packages that are used in film, television, gaming, engineering and graphic design, you can be sure you’ll have cutting edge products when spending Autodesk discount codes. Groupon is happy to help, with aspiring graphic artists, architects and game designers able to make use of Autodesk voucher codes. Founded in 1982 by John Walker, the company’s first software was the original versions of AutoCAD, or computer-aided design software. The software was at first mostly used by architects, engineers and structural designers to model buildings and machines. The company has since branched out into media and entertainment, with Autodesk products used widely within film special effects and editing, game design, animation and colour grading. The company’s software has, in fact, been at the forefront of various breakthroughs in special effects, and films featuring effects created by Autodesk software have won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for 16 consecutive years. Whether you want to be the next CGI craftsman or tomorrow’s leading architectural genius, you can get ahead with the help of an Autodesk promo code. Create impressive animations using Autodesk Maya, design skyscrapers with AutoCAD Architecture or sculpt and paint your creations using Autodesk Mudbox. Whatever your ambitions, you can greatly benefit from using Autodesk’s industry-leading software. Make sure you stay ahead of the curve. Fancy trying your hand at a little 3D modelling? Want to learn the ropes and start designing buildings? Make use of Autodesk discount codes to start using Autodesk products, and you’ll find yourself in the company of experts. Groupon is offering Autodesk voucher codes to help you start modelling, sculpting, rendering, texturing and simulating.
kickers listed on couponmatrix.ukIt’s hard to name a footwear brand that’s captured the public’s imagination quite like Kickers. Devised in France in the early 1970s as the perfect accompaniment to denim, this brand featured fabric-inspired design ideas like contrast stitching and appliques in a semi-boot style - and just like jeans, they’ve never gone out of fashion. The Kickers discount code will let you get your hands on a pair for far less than you’d imagine and the rugged, premium design means they’ll withstand year upon year of regular use.
myprotein-com listed on couponmatrix.ukWhether you're a seasoned sports and fitness fan, or a relative newcomer who is simply trying to get in better shape, then the right nutrition to fuel your body for its workouts is vital. Join the health movement at Myprotein for support every step of the way. Myprotein is one of the most trusted leaders in the market of high quality protein powders and sports nutrition, and with your Myprotein discount code you can save on products from the number one site for all of your fitness nutritional needs. At Groupon we can help you to get an even better deal on some of Myprotein’s fantastic products thanks to our wide selection of deals and promotions that can save you money.
nars listed on couponmatrix.ukNARS Cosmetics was set up by French photographer Francois Nars to offer a choice of makeup just as perfect under the scrutiny of the camera as it is in real life. NARS’s range of makeup, cleansers, toners, and colour palettes bring the glamour of fashion photo shoots to everyone, so pick up a NARS discount code and get your cosmetics for less. With a focus on quality, this chic cosmetics company has everything you need to really glow.
neonbeach listed on couponmatrix.ukNightclub-quality neon lights for the home—that’s NeonBeach. Whether you want to light up the room with an inspirational quote or cosmic art, NeonBeach gives you the freedom to live creatively and customise your neon lights with a dizzying array of colours. Although you might think this would be expensive, it’s actually really affordable with a NeonBeach discount code from Groupon. These lights are such high quality they’ll last for years to come, and they’re eco-friendly too!
snag-tights listed on couponmatrix.ukWhatever your size, shape or style, Snag Tights have a fit for you. Embracing the weird and wonderful world of tights with all the colours and patterns imagination can conjure, rest assured there’ll be a design you adore just waiting to be bought for less with a Snag Tights discount code. Endlessly endeavouring to produce fun and themed legwear that’ll make every outfit pop, it’s easy to see why so many stride with pride in a pair of Snag Tights.