JioMeet is India's answer to Zoom — and it is absolutely free

Reliance Jio Platforms has launched its video conferencing platform, dubbed JioMeet (via TechCrunch). The service takes aim squarely at Zoom, and it has a similar interface with a grid-based layout for calls. But the biggest differentiator is that unlike Zoom or Google Meet, JioMeet does not have a time limit for video calls. Users will be able to make calls for up to 24 hours on the platform if they wish to do so, and the service itself is free to use. There is no paid option at this time.

By contrast, Zoom calls are limited to 40 minutes for free users, and Google Meet has a 60-minute limit for its free users. By offering no time limit, JioMeet is setting itself up as a viable alternative to these two services. The platform itself is powered by WebRTC — similar to Google Meet — and users can add up to 100 participants to a call.

The quality goes up to 720p, and JioMeet offers password-protected meetings, schedule meetings in advance, screen sharing options, multi-device login, and collaboration tools. In short, JioMeet is a robust alternative to Zoom and Google Meet. As for security, TechCrunch notes that JioMeet is encrypted, but it doesn't look like the platform offers end-to-end encryption. The service itself isn't limited to India, and it worked fine when I used it with a VPN that was connected to the U.S.

JioMeet is available on the web, you can download it from the Play Store and App Store, and there are dedicated clients for Windows and macOS. There's also an Outlook plugin if you want to integrate the service into Microsoft's email client. Interested in trying out JioMeet? Head here to get started.

A long road ahead

Carmack talks the future of Quest 2, new headsets, Quest 1 support and more

John Carmack, CTO of Oculus, sat down with VP Facebook Reality Labs Andrew Bosworth (Boz) and answered a few questions taken via Twitter Spaces, talking about the future of the Oculus Quest platform.

Google Pay problems

You should now be able to re-add your American Express cards to Google Pay

Google Pay users have been reporting that their American Express cards have been unexpectedly removed from their accounts. The problem should now be resolved.

You get what you pay for

Google Pixel Buds A will reportedly lose some features to keep costs down

Google is expected to launch the cheaper Pixel Buds A next month, although a few features are reportedly getting the boot.

Let's get physical!

Break a sweat with these great Oculus Quest 2 exercise games and apps

Do you prefer your workouts to challenge your full body? Do you care more about aerobics or muscle training? Do you need a high-speed soundtrack or a high score to motivate you? Or do you want a game first and foremost, with exercise as a happy bonus? Whatever your preferences, we have the best Oculus Quest 2 VR experiences to keep you healthy while staying indoors.