Apps for video calling: Google Meet, Zoom, and Skype
Google Meet, Zoom, and Skype are all apps for video calling that allow users to connect with others remotely. Here is some information about each of these apps
1. What are Google Meet, Zoom and Skype?
Google Meet is a video conferencing service developed by Google. It is part of the Google Workspace suite of productivity tools and is designed for business and educational use. Google Meet allows users to host video meetings with up to 250 participants, share their screen, record meetings, and collaborate in real-time through Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that has gained widespread popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is designed for both personal and business use and allows users to host video meetings with up to 1000 participants, share their screen, record meetings, and collaborate in real-time through virtual whiteboards and breakout rooms.
Skype is a video and voice calling platform developed by Microsoft. It has been around since 2003 and is designed for personal use. Skype allows users to make voice and video calls with up to 50 people, send instant messages, share files, and make calls to landlines and mobile phones.
2. Screen sharing capability
3. Activate foreign language subtitles
- Google Meet: During a meeting, click on the three dots in the bottom right corner of the screen and select “Turn on captions” from the menu. Then click on the “CC” button in the bottom right corner of the screen to select the language of your choice.
- Zoom: During a meeting, click on the “Closed Caption” button at the bottom of the screen and select “Enable Auto-Transcription.” Then click on the “CC” button and select “Subtitle Settings” to choose the language you want.
- Skype: During a call, click on the “More Options” button (three dots) and select “Turn subtitles on.” Then click on the “Settings” button and choose the language you want from the drop-down menu.
Note that not all languages may be available on all platforms, and the accuracy of automatic subtitles may vary depending on the quality of the audio and other factors.
4. Recording our video calls
- Google Meet: During a meeting, click on the three dots in the bottom right corner of the screen and select “Record meeting” from the menu. A notification will appear to let all participants know that the meeting is being recorded. When the meeting is over, click on the “Stop recording” button in the same menu.
- Zoom: During a meeting, click on the “Record” button at the bottom of the screen and select “Record to the Cloud” or “Record on this computer” depending on your preference. A notification will appear to let all participants know that the meeting is being recorded. When the meeting is over, click on the “Stop Recording” button at the bottom of the screen.
- Skype: During a call, click on the “+” button and select “Start recording” from the menu. A notification will appear to let all participants know that the call is being recorded. When the call is over, click on the “+” button again and select “Stop recording” to end the recording.
Note that it is important to obtain the consent of all participants before recording a video call, as this may be a legal requirement in some jurisdictions. Also, some platforms may have limits on the duration or size of recorded meetings, so be sure to check the specific guidelines for each platform.
5. Security of information
Google Meet uses encryption to protect data transmitted during meetings, and Google has implemented several security features such as 2-step verification, anti-abuse protections, and data loss prevention policies. Users can also control who can join meetings, share their screen, and access meeting recordings.
Zoom also uses encryption to protect data, and offers additional security features such as password protection, waiting rooms, and the ability to lock meetings once they have started. Zoom has also implemented end-to-end encryption for video calls, which provides an extra layer of security for sensitive meetings.
Skype uses encryption to protect data in transit, and also offers the ability to encrypt messages and files shared during calls. Skype also has several privacy settings, such as the ability to block contacts and disable notifications.
It is important to note that while these platforms have implemented security measures, there is always a risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. Users should take steps to protect their own devices and accounts, such as using strong passwords and avoiding sharing sensitive information during video calls.
6. Innovation
- Google Meet: Google has recently introduced several new features to Meet, such as background blur and virtual backgrounds, noise cancellation, and breakout rooms. They have also improved the mobile experience with features like hand raising and attendance tracking.
- Zoom: Zoom has introduced several new features over the past year, including virtual backgrounds, noise suppression, and the ability to add interactive polls and quizzes to meetings. They have also improved security features, such as end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication.
- Skype: Microsoft has recently introduced several new features to Skype, such as background blur, live captions and subtitles, and the ability to record and save calls. They have also improved the mobile experience with features like screen sharing on mobile devices and the ability to send large files during calls.
Overall, these platforms are continually innovating to meet the evolving needs of users and adapt to changing trends in remote work and online collaboration. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative features and improvements in the video conferencing space.
7. Accessibility
- Google Meet: Google Meet offers closed captioning for live meetings in real-time, as well as the ability to generate a transcript after the meeting has ended. Users can also adjust the font size and contrast settings to make the interface easier to read, and Google has made efforts to ensure compatibility with screen readers.
- Zoom: Zoom offers closed captioning for live meetings, as well as the ability to generate a transcript after the meeting has ended. Users can also adjust the font size and contrast settings, and Zoom has made efforts to ensure compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
- Skype: Skype offers live captions and subtitles for calls and can also generate a transcript after the call has ended. Users can also adjust the font size and contrast settings, and Skype has made efforts to ensure compatibility with screen readers.
In addition to these accessibility features, it is important to note that users with disabilities may also need to use third-party assistive technologies to fully access and participate in video calls and meetings. Users should consult with their assistive technology providers to determine the best setup for their needs.