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Chromecast Ambient Mode slideshows start dialing back their bandwidth-saving measures
You'll be able to speed up the rate of cycling images
The early days of the pandemic saw the internet faced with an unprecedented surge of traffic, with people restricted to their homes relying on going online for both work and entertainment, leading to slower internet across the globe. In a bid to reduce network congestion and prioritize the more essential stuff, streaming services all over started making sacrifices. Those cuts extended in some unexpected ways, like how Google downgraded video quality on certain Nest cameras and reduced Chromecast (and smart display) Ambient Mode photo quality. But with more and more people going back to the office, some of those restrictions are now being reverted.
Google Meet is ending unlimited group video calls for free users
1h+ group calls are a now a no-go for free users
Google made unlimited Meet group video calls free when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, but the company never intended this feature to remain available for everyone. The business originally wanted to introduce a long-planned 60-minute limit for free accounts in March this year, but then extended the deadline to June 2021. And well, there's no further delay: June has come and gone, and so have free unlimited calls for everyone.
Google will offer free, unlimited Meet video calls a bit longer
24-hour limit for all users extended to June 2021
There's light at the end of the tunnel for millions of employees forced to work from home, and Google is here for them ... or at least wants to keep Google Meet relevant in the meantime. Previously Google made its Meet video chat platform free and unlimited through March of this year, eschewing the 30-minute limit on free accounts. Now that freebie period has been extended until June 2021.
Google is temporarily lowering Chromecast's ambient mode photo quality and slideshow speed
Every small measure helps with strained internet resources
Following the announcement that it'd be reducing Nest's video quality to help lower network strain around the world, Google has also revealed that it'll do the same for the Chromecast and smart displays. The move is temporary and comes from a mindset that every bit helps, even if it's just saving everyone a little bit of bandwidth.
Take a world tour from your couch with these apps
Walk along streets, enjoy 360 views, and discover new places
With all of us stuck at home because of the Coronavirus pandemic, a supermarket run is starting to feel like the biggest excursion and adventure we can go on for the foreseeable future. Travel is out of the question, local trips are restricted in many countries, and even the simple idea of stepping out of your house is as daunting as an alcohol and paranoia party. I've been yearning for a vacation for a while — I even had a trip planned for May before all of this went down — but since that's been canceled now, I've found myself thumbing through old pics and 360 photos I've taken during my trips, reminiscing about better times and nicer places, then it occurred to me that I could do something similar but also discover new countries and cities I've never visited, all through the magic of Google Maps, Earth, and Street View. Let me to explain how you too can do that.