Google Meet Archives

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Google Meet lands on Android Auto, but there’s a catch

Google Meet has launched an audio-only version for Android Auto, prioritizing driver safety by allowing meetings without video. The app features a user-friendly interface with Scheduled and History tabs for easy access to meetings. However, it currently lacks complete support for work profiles, meaning users cannot access work schedules or meeting history from the car. The design does not include a virtual green room or pre-call screen, and users join meetings immediately upon tapping. While the audio-only format aims to enhance productivity, it raises concerns about work-life balance and may lead to missed information during discussions. Users may join smaller meetings with microphones activated, and larger calls may have users muted by default. For more complex tasks, users are advised to pull over and use their phones. The rollout of this feature is happening in stages.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

France to Ditch Microsoft Windows as Europe’s War on American Tech Rages On

France has announced its intention to transition some of its government systems from Windows to Linux to reduce reliance on American technology. The initial phase will involve machines used by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), although a timeline for the transition has not been established. French Minister David Amiel stated that this move is part of a broader effort to regain control of digital sovereignty. Earlier this year, France banned public officials from using American videoconferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams. The European Commission is drafting legislation to promote tech sovereignty, but there are concerns about the security implications of moving away from American technology. Transitioning to Linux will require French government employees to adapt to open-source software, potentially replacing Microsoft Office 365 with alternatives like LibreOffice.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Apple CarPlay just got a huge upgrade before Android Auto

Google has launched its new Google Meet feature for vehicles on Apple CarPlay before releasing it on Android Auto. The feature allows users to join audio calls while driving, with the camera disabled and no access to incoming video content. Users can join meetings, view schedules, and participate in audio-only calls, but interactive features like hand raises and polls are not supported. Google has confirmed that a version for Android Auto is forthcoming, but no specific timeline has been provided.

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.