Google is set to enhance the user experience of its Meet app for Android by simplifying the process of adding new participants to ongoing calls. Currently, users must share a call link with potential participants, a method that can feel cumbersome and less intuitive compared to the web interface, where inviting someone is as simple as typing in their email address.
Upcoming Features to Streamline Invitations
Recent insights from an APK teardown suggest that Google is working on a more user-friendly approach. The anticipated feature will allow users to invite contacts directly by entering their email addresses or phone numbers, akin to the functionality available on the web version of Google Meet.
In testing the latest version of Google Meet, version 317.0.786350680, users discovered an “Add others” button that significantly streamlines the invitation process. Upon tapping this button, a contacts page appears, enabling users to either enter a new participant’s details or select from their phone’s contact list. Following this, a “Call” button becomes accessible, allowing for a seamless transition to inviting others into the conversation.
The interface then shifts to a “People” tab, displaying both current participants and those invited. Notably, the ongoing call minimizes into a picture-in-picture view, ensuring that the conversation remains uninterrupted. For those invited, the call appears as a standard incoming call, with their names displayed alongside a “Calling” label. If they decline or do not answer, the label changes to “No answer,” and a new button appears, potentially allowing existing participants to leave a video message together.
While the rollout timeline for this feature remains uncertain, it is clear that Google is keen on improving the Meet experience. The ability to invite participants directly into a call was a hallmark of Google Hangouts, which has since been retired. This upcoming functionality in Meet reflects a return to a more user-centric design, aimed at making virtual communication as effortless as possible.
