Have you ever wondered how that little video chat app on your phone came to be? Grab a cup of chai and settle in—because we’re about to take you through the fascinating story of Google Meet, and how it evolved from a side feature into a powerful communication tool used by millions around the world.
The Beginning: When Video Calling Wasn’t So Simple
Back in 2013, video calling wasn’t as seamless as it is today. People were juggling multiple apps just to send a message or start a video chat. That’s when Google Hangouts emerged—a platform that brought together Google Talk, Google+ Messenger, and Hangouts Video into one unified app.
Hangouts started as part of Google+, but Google saw greater potential. Competing with giants like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, Google decided it was time to create its own full-fledged communication solution.
The Big Split: When One Became Two
Fast forward to 2017—Google made a strategic move to split Hangouts into two specialized platforms:
- Google Meet (originally Hangouts Meet) – focused on video conferencing for businesses and professionals
- Google Chat (originally Hangouts Chat) – centered around messaging and team collaboration
Google Meet launched as a video conferencing tool that supported up to 30 participants. It was built from the ground up for enterprise-grade meetings, offering better stability, security, and integration with Google Workspace.
When the World Went Remote: Google Meet Becomes a Hero
Remember 2020? With the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and online learning became the new normal. That’s when Google Meet transformed into an essential tool, practically overnight.
Here’s what happened:
- In January 2020, Meet had a modest user base
- By April 2020, usage had surged 30x
- It was adding 3 million new users per day
- At its peak, Meet supported over 100 million daily participants
In response, Google made a bold move: they made Google Meet free for everyone in March 2020. Suddenly, anyone with a Google account could start a high-quality video call—whether it was for school, work, or connecting with family.
The Confusing Merge: Google Duo Meets Google Meet
Here’s where things get a little tricky. Google had two video calling apps at the same time:
- Google Duo – great for one-on-one, personal calls (like Apple’s FaceTime)
- Google Meet – designed for business meetings and large group calls
In June 2022, Google decided to merge the two. Here’s how the transition happened:
- Google Duo was upgraded with advanced meeting features from Meet
- The Duo app was rebranded as Google Meet
- The original Meet app was renamed Google Meet (original)
- Over time, the original Meet app is being phased out
The goal? Simplification. Instead of maintaining two separate video tools, Google combined the best of both into one unified experience.
- 🎥 HD video quality – for crystal clear meetings
- 🖥️ Screen sharing – perfect for presentations
- 📝 Real-time captions – to help with accessibility and clarity
- 🪞 Background blur – useful for hiding clutter
- 🔇 Noise cancellation – reduces distractions in busy environments
- 👥 Up to 100 participants in free meetings
- 🎨 Custom backgrounds for fun and privacy
- 📅 Meeting scheduling directly via Google Calendar
- 💬 In-meeting chat to share notes and links
- 📞 Phone dial-in for users without email access
Why creativeON Offers the Best Google Workspace Deals in Pakistan
Now that we’re talking about Google Meet, it’s important to know that it’s part of a bigger package called Google Workspace.
If you’re in Pakistan and thinking about using Google Meet professionally, creativeON is your go-to partner.
Who is creativeON?
- Official Google Workspace Reseller in Pakistan
- 20+ years of experience helping businesses across Pakistan
Serving major cities including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Sargodha
(because of their reseller status)
- 📧 Gmail with your custom business domain
- ☁️ Google Drive for secure cloud storage
- 📄 Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar for team collaboration
- 🔒 Admin controls, mobile device management, and more
📞 Contact creativeON – your trusted Google Partner in Pakistan for the best rates and reliable support.
Real-Life Use Cases: Google Meet in Action
👩🎓 For Students
Sarah in Islamabad uses Google Meet daily for university lectures. She shares her screen to present class projects, joins group discussions, and even takes virtual exams—all from home.
💼 For Businesses
A software company in Lahore holds its daily team stand-ups, sales calls, and even virtual Eid parties over Google Meet. They love how smoothly it works with their Google Workspace accounts.
👨👩👧👦 For Families
Grandparents in Karachi use Google Meet to video call their grandkids abroad. They play games, share stories, and celebrate birthdays online—bridging miles with one simple link.
What’s Next for Google Meet?
Google is actively upgrading Meet with smart, AI-powered features like:
- Automatic meeting summaries and notes
- Live translation for global conversations
- Better mobile optimization for on-the-go access
- Enhanced security with advanced admin controls
Quick Tips for Getting Started
Want to try Google Meet for yourself? Here’s how:
- Sign in to your Google account (it’s free)
- Go to meet.google.com
- Click “New meeting” to start instantly
- Share the invite link with others
- Enjoy seamless, high-quality video calling
🔐 For advanced features like recording, custom branding, and admin controls, consider upgrading to Google Workspace via creativeON.
Final Thoughts
Google Meet’s journey from a small part of Google+ in 2013 to becoming a global video communication platform is truly inspiring. What began as Google Hangouts evolved into a business-ready solution in Google Meet, scaled up during the 2020 pandemic, and later unified with Google Duo to offer a complete experience for everyone.