Google Meet Archives

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Connected, Creative, Expanded: Android XR’s Next Wave of Innovation Enhances the Galaxy XR Experience

Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy XR in October, which operates on the new Android XR platform co-created with Google and Qualcomm. The device features multimodal AI for seamless interactions through voice, vision, and gesture, and offers full immersion capabilities. The latest update to the Android XR platform includes three significant features: PC Connect, Likeness, and Travel Mode. PC Connect allows users to integrate applications or their entire computer desktop into the immersive view of the Galaxy XR, enhancing productivity and entertainment. Likeness enables users to customize their appearance during video calls on platforms like Google Meet, enhancing the sense of presence. Travel Mode allows users to create personal cinema or workspace experiences while on the go, with a stable view and a portable Travel Case. These features will roll out to users starting December 8 in the United States and Korea.

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

Banned and blocked. Russia says good-bye to messaging apps

Russia's censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has banned several popular communication platforms, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, citing their use in organizing terrorist acts, recruiting criminals, and committing fraud. The ban on WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app in Russia, is expected to have significant implications. This decision follows a pattern of increasing digital restrictions, with other services such as Facebook, Instagram, Signal, Viber, and Google Meet also being blocked. Russian authorities are promoting a national messaging app called Max, which is set to become mandatory in public sectors by January 1, 2026. Max will require full access to users' devices and will collect telemetry and metadata, raising privacy concerns due to its integration with government systems.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Google just killed a key Home app feature, and parents are going to miss it

Google has removed the "Call Home" button from the Google Home app, a feature introduced in 2019 that allowed users to connect with their smart displays from smartphones. This change disrupts communication for many users, particularly parents, who relied on it to check in on their children. The only alternative now is to use Google Meet, which requires setting up unique Google accounts for each device, making it cumbersome. Google has not provided a clear explanation for the removal, and users are left uncertain about the future of the "Call Home" feature.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

Google Meet is letting Android users trick their coworkers with Halloween effects

Google Meet is introducing Halloween-themed features, including AI-powered makeup that allows users to adopt various looks, such as "Goth Chic," mummy, or zombie, during video calls. Users can choose from 12 makeup styles, with the new Halloween option added to the existing features. Pre-made virtual backgrounds are also available, and users can create custom backgrounds using AI. These features are accessible on both the web and mobile app versions of Google Meet for subscribers of Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra.

BetaBeacon

October 22, 2025

Gaming On Samsung Galaxy XR: Every Android XR Game Confirmed So Far

The fact described in the text is that the Samsung Galaxy XR headset will come with a 'Explorer Pack' from Google for those who purchase it by the end of 2025. The pack includes various items such as NFL Pro Era, Asteroid, 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, NBA League Pass, 3 months of YouTube TV, Project Pulsar from Adobe, and Calm.

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

Sridhar Vembu explains the tech behind Zoho’s Arattai, a Swadeshi messaging app: ‘Built on deep engineering’

Sridhar Vembu, co-founder and Chief Scientist of Zoho, discussed the technological framework behind Arattai, the company's messaging and calling app, highlighting its extensive research and development. Arattai, launched in 2021, is built on proprietary frameworks developed in-house, enhancing performance, scalability, and security. The app’s real-time communication is powered by a custom-built messaging and audio-visual framework refined over 15 years, alongside a distributed computing framework perfected over two decades. Arattai aims to be a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream messaging apps, constructed entirely on Zoho's indigenous technology stack. Unique features include the Meetings tool for video conferencing, a built-in personal cloud storage space called Pocket, and a Mentions section for tracking tagged messages. Arattai maintains a no-ads policy and does not exploit user data for marketing, distinguishing it from WhatsApp.

AppWizard

September 30, 2025

Made In India Arattai vs Meta’s WhatsApp: What’s Different And Same Between These Two Messenger Apps – Features, Release Date, User Experience, More

The Arattai app, launched in 2021 by Zoho, has gained significant popularity by 2025, becoming a leading name in social networking and topping App Store charts. In comparison, WhatsApp was founded in 2009 and became part of Meta in 2014. Arattai features a clean and intuitive interface with sections like Meetings, Pocket, and Mentions, while WhatsApp's interface is more basic. Key features of Arattai include a Meetings section for recording, a Pocket for personal storage, enhanced location sharing until reaching a destination, a Mentions tab for tagged messages, and multi-device support, including Android TV. WhatsApp currently offers end-to-end encryption, while Arattai is developing similar security measures.

AppWizard

September 30, 2025

Arattai takes on WhatsApp: 5 areas where Zoho’s app beats Meta’s messaging giant

A shift in the Indian tech landscape emphasizes the importance of homegrown software solutions, exemplified by Zoho's new app, Arattai, which is being referred to as the 'WhatsApp killer.' Arattai features several aspects that differentiate it from WhatsApp: 1) Meetings: Arattai allows users to conduct meetings within the app, unlike WhatsApp, which has limited video calling capabilities. 2) Pocket: Arattai offers a personal cloud storage feature for sharing messages and media, improving upon the basic messaging to oneself system in WhatsApp. 3) Mentions: Arattai has a section that compiles all messages mentioning the user, simplifying notification management compared to WhatsApp. 4) No ads: Arattai is ad-free and prioritizes user data privacy, storing information in India, while WhatsApp displays ads and shares user data for advertising purposes. 5) No forced AI: Arattai does not incorporate AI features that users cannot disable, contrasting with WhatsApp's recent integration of AI functionalities.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

What Google Material 3 Expressive redesigns are rolling out [Updated]

In May, Google introduced its new design language, Material 3 Expressive, which is being implemented across various applications following the launch of the Pixel 10 and Android 16 QPR1. Rolling out: - Gmail II: New layout with messages in containers and subtle borders. - Google Chrome: Segmented Material 3 progress indicator, circular containers for actions in the overflow menu, new tab button and switcher in Tab Grid, and thematically colored Tab Group cards. - Google Wallet: App logo change, thicker cards for passes, containers on various pages, enhanced NFC tap-to-pay animation, and new overlay for Pixel users activated by double-tap of the power button. Recent launches: - Google Drive II: Edge-to-edge aesthetic with no main list view container. - Quick Share: Fullscreen experience embracing Material 3 Expressive. - Google Maps: Listings use M3 Expressive containers and actions carousel at the bottom. Fully launched (in alphabetical order): - Digital Wellbeing: Main page refreshed with M3 Expressive elements and thicker donut graphs. - Files by Google: Animated Material 3 carousel on the homepage, pill-shaped toolbar for Quick Share and document scanning, revamped navigation rail, and dedicated toolbar for image editing. - Gmail: Structured layout for email list and messages, swipe gestures trigger pill-shaped animation, redesigned search app bar. - Google Calendar: Time slots in rounded containers, solid background layer for visibility, and FAB menu for creating various items. - Google Meet: Large cards for calls on the homepage, oversized buttons for voice and video calls, and user information in a pill shape. - Google Messages: Organized conversation list and message threads in containers, redesigned 'plus' menu with pill-shaped buttons. These updates aim to provide a more cohesive and visually appealing experience across Google's applications.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Change This One Gmail Setting To Instantly Make The Android App Better

Users of the Gmail app on Android can now remove the persistent Google Meet button at the bottom of the inbox. To do this, access the menu in the top left corner, select Settings, choose the relevant email account, and then either uncheck the box next to Show the Meet tab or Show the chat tab, depending on the version of Gmail. This change allows users to reclaim screen space and customize their app interface.