New Samsung alert! Score a Galaxy S21 5G for as little as $99 right now

  • Forums
  • Shop
  • Galaxy S21
  • CES 2021
  • Huawei
  • Pixel 5
  • PS5
  • Android 11
  • Best Chromebook
  • OnePlus 8 Pro
  • Best Wireless Earbuds
  • Best VPN

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

A kind gesture

Google makes advanced Hangouts Meet capabilities free to combat Coronavirus [Update: Now rolling out]

The free access will run till July 1.
Muhammad Jarir Kanji
23 Mar 2020

Hangouts MeetSource: Google

What you need to know

  • Google this week made a significant gesture toward helping combat the spread of the coronavirus.
  • It's making advanced video conferencing abilities previously exclusive to G Suite Enterprise available to all G Suite users for free.
  • The move is aimed at helping facilitate remote work so that the spread of the virus is contained.

Update: Google has now started rolling out the advanced Google Meet features to users, and is emailing G Suite admins of the change, along with instructions on how to avail its generous offer.

Google is flipping on the top-end paid features in Google Meet for all G Suite domains* for free* as of now:
- 250 participants per call
- Live stream to audiences of 100K
- Meeting recordings pic.twitter.com/0Lzn51EKr8

β€” Owen Williams ⚑ (@ow) March 23, 2020

Original Story: As the rapid spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, officially called COVID-19, instigates fears of a global pandemic, Google has decided to chip in and help mitigate its spread. It's already dediced against holding its annual I/O developer conference this year, but it's also trying to help other organizations reduce physical contact between employees while ensuring they can still be productive.

Running till July 1, 2020, the company has announced that it'll make advanced video conferencing features exclusive to G Suite Enterprise and G Suite Enterprise for Education free for use by all G Suite and G Suite Education users.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

As more and more business encourage their employees to stay home and work remotely, the gesture is certainly much appreciated. In fact, even Twitter's CEO chimed in to thank Google (and Slack) for enabling the company to host its first, entirely virtual hands-on meeting today:

We just held our first fully virtual Twitter global all-hands using @Google Meet and @SlackHQ. We had folks all around the world working from home, and some in our offices. Worked flawlessly, and enabled some things that weren't possible before. Thanks Google and Slack! https://t.co/qD3d09pluZ

β€” jack 🌍🌏🌎 (@jack) March 3, 2020

The above was made possible by the extra bandwidth G Suite Enterprise combined with Hangouts Meet offers. The extended capabilities Google is making available include:

  • Larger meetings, for up to 250 participants per call
  • Live streaming for up to 100,000 viewers within a domain
  • The ability to record meetings and save them to Google Drive

The rollout of these features should begin this week and complete within 2-3 weeks. If you're a G Suite admin and would like to take advantage of Google's generosity and use these features to help create a remote-friendly environment, check out these support pages set up by the company.

Google clamps down on employee travel over coronavirus concerns

Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?

Android Central

Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.

  • Subscribe in Pocket Casts: Audio
  • Subscribe in Spotify: Audio
  • Subscribe in iTunes: Audio

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

What accessories did you get with the Galaxy S21?
accessorize

What accessories did you get with the Galaxy S21?

With pre-orders now live for the Galaxy S21, we'd like to know β€” what accessories are you getting to go along with it?

LG hints at possible exit from the smartphone market
exploring options

LG hints at possible exit from the smartphone market

In an internal memo sent to employees, LG CEO Kwon Bong-seok has hinted at big changes to the company’s smartphone business, which been deep in the red for the past five years.

Review: The GSP 600 wired headset is great for multi-platform gaming
🎧🎧

Review: The GSP 600 wired headset is great for multi-platform gaming

EPOS and Sennheiser prove once again why they're some of the best companies to make audio products. The GSP 600 headset is perfect for gaming across multiple consoles.

Here are 9 cheap office desks to complete your home office
Center of your home office

Here are 9 cheap office desks to complete your home office

Working from home? Whatever your reasons may be, these cheap office desks will ensure you have the best experience possible.

Keep in Touch

Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from Android Central!

I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I would like to receive mail from Future partners.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

  • News
  • Google
  • Phones
  • Reviews
  • Chromebooks
  • Android
  • How To
  • Deals
  • Forums
  • Gaming
  • VPN

Other Categories

  • About Us
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising Inquiries
  • Licensing and Reprints
  • Tip us on news
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Windows Central
  • iMore
  • CrackBerry
  • Thrifter
  • TechnoBuffalo
  • MrMobile
Log in or Sign up
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Brightness

  • Β© Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Β© Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement