Watch out Zoom – Gmail will soon let you join video calls with no extra software

Gmail
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Remote working and remote meetings have been steadily becoming more popular in recent years, but the coronavirus pandemic has made them even more commonplace. As such, the likes of Zoom, Google Meet and so on have become almost household names.

Google is well aware that Google Meet is used not only for business purposes, but also for friends and family to keep in touch, particularly during times of crisis and periods of isolation. As such the company has decided to make it easier for mobile users to join or start meetings.

The improved access to Google Meet will come through integration with Gmail on mobile device. Soon, Android and iOS users will see a new Google Meet tab at the bottom of their inboxes which will give easy access to meetings – and there's no need to have the Google Meet App installed.

Clicking this tab will show users all of the meetings that they have scheduled in Google Calendar, and allow them to join those meetings with a single tap. It will also be possible to start an new meeting instantly, or to schedule a meeting for a later time.

Let's meet up

The integration of Meet with Gmail comes just weeks after Google took the decision to make the tool available to everyone free of charge, making it a viable alternative to the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Google has not revealed precisely when the Google Meet tab will appear for mobile users beyond saying it will happen "in the coming weeks".

Of course, it is worth remembering that not everyone wants to use Google Meet and therefore there will be some people who don't really appreciated the arrival of a dedicated tab for the service in Gmail. For these folk, there is good news – it will be possible to disable it in the settings for the Gmail app if you prefer.

Via Google

Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson
Freelance writer

Sofia is a tech journalist who's been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 25 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fueled by technology, music and nature.


Having written for websites and magazines since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, she continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, she loves sharing new discoveries with others.


Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but her particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Her other loves include walking, music, her two Malamutes and, of course, her wife and daughter.


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