Google is bringing native add-on support to Gmail

Why it matters to you

You could soon do a whole lot more straight from Gmail — such as build invoices without even having to leave the service.

Gmail could soon get a whole lot functional. Google will now allow developers to create add-ons for Gmail, which will work directly in Gmail instead of as a Chrome extension. What that means is that they’ll be usable all across the web and on multiple different types of devices.

For now, however, the new feature will primarily be for enterprises. The company is working with Intuit, Salesforce, and Prosperworks. According to Google, the add-ons will depend on context, so they may or may not show up depending on the content of the email that you’re replying to. Currently, add-ons for Gmail are only available as a developer preview.

More: Google bumped up Gmail’s incoming attachment limit to 50MB

The new Intuit Gmail add-on will perhaps be the most useful, and it allows users like QuickBooks small business customers to quickly and easily generate invoices straight from Gmail itself.

The fact that Google is at least thinking about add-ons for Gmail suggests that we could soon see the feature roll out on a wider scale. Not only that, but as developers start building add-ons, they could become more and more useful for the general consumer. For now, however, keep in mind that they’re enterprise-focused.

“They’re built on a powerful framework, which makes it easy for developers to trigger workflows based on email content,” said Google in a blog post announcing the new feature. “Say a Gmail user receives an email from a sales lead, and wants to add that contact to her CRM solution. With Gmail Add-ons, she can enter the contact’s required info and look up their account in that CRM system without leaving Gmail.”

It’s also important to note that, at least for now, there won’t be an add-on marketplace where you can get these Gmail add-ons. Instead, according to a report from The Verge, companies will need to partner with Google to get access to the functionality. It’s very possible that will change in the future though.

Vimeo jumps on the 360 bandwagon with immersive uploads, related video school

Why it matters to you

Vimeo users, the wait is finally over for that 360 support.

Vimeo is inviting video creatives to experiment with a new format — Wednesday, the YouTube rival added 360 video support along with a spot to learn 360 shooting tips and and a curated channel for the immersive format. The new 360 option is navigated by touch on mobile devices and clicks or arrow keys on desktops, along with VR headset compatibility.

Vimeo can now handle 360 videos in up to 8K resolution with customizable settings, including field of view. The platform caters to videographers specifically (rather than catering to everything from smartphone cat videos to pro-level productions) with the option to sell videos or sell channel subscriptions — and those same features now extend to 360.

More: Vimeo launches new video review functionality

Videographers can upload directly from Adobe Premiere Pro and Sony Vegas, while video viewers can use a web browser or Zeiss, GearVR, or Daydream headset apps. The mobile app also allows users to save videos to watch later without an internet connection.

Now, Vimeo uploads include a simple “this video was recorded in 360” box that brings up additional options, including the option to choose whether the video was created with a traditional monoscopic 360 camera or a stereoscopic “3D” camera. Once uploaded, users also have a number of customization options, including the ability to change the default view, or the direction viewers start in when the video begins or when they click on the compass icon to return to the original angle of view.

The 360 videos can also be embedded with new display options. Users can add a compass icon at the side of the video to show viewers what direction they’re looking in within the overall footage and choose whether or not to include the 360 badge by the video name.

And for the 360 video newbie or the enthusiast ready to learn more, a new Vimeo 360 Video School teaches the basics to the tricks behind capitalizing on this relatively new video format.

The best 3D printer under $1,000 you can buy

Let’s face it: while we may say we put more emphasis on value over price, most of us will look at the price first anyway. That’s no different with 3D printers, although up until recently the idea of “cheap” in this market was still well north of $1,000 – likely not your definition of “cheap.” Thankfully, things have changed. While we’ve had some noticeable failures in this market segment (We’re looking at you, Peachy Printer), sub $1,000 3D printers that are actually not junk are indeed a reality.

Budget-friendly models such as the Monoprice Maker Select Mini and the M3D Micro have ushered in a new era of 3D printing which nearly everyone can afford with a little savings. These new low cost 3D printers have also put downward pressure on higher end models, so we’re even seeing some high end printers drop down closer to $1,000 too. Our point? 3D printers are no longer strictly reserved for the diehard.

Budget-based 3D printers aren’t without setbacks, though. Even the best of them can be loud and prone to the occasional software bug, or require expensive filament and procure high maintenance costs no amateur hobbyist should have to contend with. That said, there’s never been a better time than now if you’re just looking to try your hand at 3D printing, even if you will want something more capable down the line. And trust us, once you get started – you eventually will.

Our pick

Robo 3D R1 +Plus

Why should you buy this: It has all the important features you need in a filament-based 3D printer, and it sells for well under $1,000

ROBO 3D R1 Plus

Robo’s 3D R1 +Plus boasts a large build area, heated bed, and a wide range of material options — all for $800

$669.00 from Amazon

$763.99 from Best Buy

Who’s it for: Beginner and intermediate users

How much will it cost: $669 (less for refurbished models)

Why we picked the Robo 3D R1 +Plus:

It’s really difficult to find a sub $1,000 printer that has a large build area, a heated bed, a stable frame, and an extruder that can handle lots of different materials. Near impossible, honestly. Robo’s R1+ is really the only one, unless you buy a kit and put everything together yourself. Therefore, if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, the R1+ is the way to go.

Most printers in this price range have build areas that are no larger than 6 inches in length/width/height — but the R1+ boasts a build envelope that is 10 x 9 x 8 inches, which is pretty damn spacious. This means that not only can you print bigger parts — you can also fit more small parts on the build plate, which cuts down on production times.

This build plate is also heated, which helps prevents the extruded filament from cooling, contracting, and warping the shape of your printed object. This feature is crucial (especially if you’re printing with ABS), drastically reduces your chances of getting a misprint, and eliminates the need to print with a raft, which uses up additional filament.

The best 3D printer under $1,000 you can buy

Let’s face it: while we may say we put more emphasis on value over price, most of us will look at the price first anyway. That’s no different with 3D printers, although up until recently the idea of “cheap” in this market was still well north of $1,000 – likely not your definition of “cheap.” Thankfully, things have changed. While we’ve had some noticeable failures in this market segment (We’re looking at you, Peachy Printer), sub $1,000 3D printers that are actually not junk are indeed a reality.

Budget-friendly models such as the Monoprice Maker Select Mini and the M3D Micro have ushered in a new era of 3D printing which nearly everyone can afford with a little savings. These new low cost 3D printers have also put downward pressure on higher end models, so we’re even seeing some high end printers drop down closer to $1,000 too. Our point? 3D printers are no longer strictly reserved for the diehard.

Budget-based 3D printers aren’t without setbacks, though. Even the best of them can be loud and prone to the occasional software bug, or require expensive filament and procure high maintenance costs no amateur hobbyist should have to contend with. That said, there’s never been a better time than now if you’re just looking to try your hand at 3D printing, even if you will want something more capable down the line. And trust us, once you get started – you eventually will.

Our pick

Robo 3D R1 +Plus

Why should you buy this: It has all the important features you need in a filament-based 3D printer, and it sells for well under $1,000

ROBO 3D R1 Plus

Robo’s 3D R1 +Plus boasts a large build area, heated bed, and a wide range of material options — all for $800

$669.00 from Amazon

$763.99 from Best Buy

Who’s it for: Beginner and intermediate users

How much will it cost: $669 (less for refurbished models)

Why we picked the Robo 3D R1 +Plus:

It’s really difficult to find a sub $1,000 printer that has a large build area, a heated bed, a stable frame, and an extruder that can handle lots of different materials. Near impossible, honestly. Robo’s R1+ is really the only one, unless you buy a kit and put everything together yourself. Therefore, if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, the R1+ is the way to go.

Most printers in this price range have build areas that are no larger than 6 inches in length/width/height — but the R1+ boasts a build envelope that is 10 x 9 x 8 inches, which is pretty damn spacious. This means that not only can you print bigger parts — you can also fit more small parts on the build plate, which cuts down on production times.

This build plate is also heated, which helps prevents the extruded filament from cooling, contracting, and warping the shape of your printed object. This feature is crucial (especially if you’re printing with ABS), drastically reduces your chances of getting a misprint, and eliminates the need to print with a raft, which uses up additional filament.

T-Mobile increases high-speed throttling cap to stay ahead of Verizon, AT&T

Why it matters to you

Carrier competition continues to do wonders for customers, and you can expect Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint to take notice of T-Mobile’s recent policy improvement.

T-Mobile has quietly updated the terms and conditions of its One unlimited plan. On the carrier’s website, it stipulates a 30GB soft data cap, at which point all usage in excess may be slowed. The previous cap was 28GB, indicating that the company has recently increased it.

All of the major carriers’ advertised “unlimited” data plans aren’t truly unlimited — the caps implemented usually fall somewhere between 20 and 30GB. Verizon and AT&T begin throttling customers at 22GB, while Sprint starts at 23GB, and selectively slows certain types of content differently. Many wireless providers argue that enforcing such limits is necessary to deter users from abusing the plans, or using them as a full-stop replacement for residential internet, which in most cases is slower than what customers can achieve via LTE and a smartphone.

More: The Best Unlimited Data Plan: Verizon vs. T-Mobile vs. AT&T vs. Sprint

However, unlimited data has undergone something of a resurgence since Verizon announced it was reintroducing its plan in February, forcing AT&T to follow suit and T-Mobile to improve its pre-existing One plan. Initially, One reduced the quality of all streaming video to 480p and restricted tethered data to 3G speed. Last month, the carrier did away with these caveats to stay competitive.

With the latest news, T-Mobile has driven up its high-speed data advantage to 8GB more than what is being offered by Verizon and AT&T, the two mobile giants the carrier is desperately trying to chase down. Its tactics may be working, too, if recent data is any indication. T-Mobile reported it added 1.2 million postpaid customers during the fourth quarter of last year. Verizon, comparatively, fell short of expectations, pulling in less than half that amount, at 591,000 subscribers, according to market research firm FactSet Street Account by way of Reuters.

Although the vast majority will likely never use anywhere near 30GB in a month, T-Mobile’s changes are a show of goodwill toward its customers that may make all the difference in the cutthroat competitive arena that is the wireless industry. And if these past few weeks have taught us anything, you can expect the company’s competitors to take notice.

Latest Nvidia GeForce drivers support GTX 1080 TI, optimize ‘Ghost Recon Wildlands’

Why it matters to you

If you’re picking up Nvidia’s latest and greatest GeForce GTX 1080 Ti GPUs, then you’ll want to upgrade to the latest drivers ASAP.

Nvidia has released its newest GeForce drivers, meaning it’s time to head over to the Nvidia driver page or open up the Nvidia Experience app and grab the latest version. This time around, it’s version 378.78 WHQL that’s hitting the streets, and while the drivers are only Game Ready-optimized for one game, there are some other important updates to cover.

The one game that’s received Nvidia’s special attention in 378.78 is Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands. That title joins Sniper Elite 4, For Honor, and Halo Wars 2 as the shipping games that have been optimized in driver release 378. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Conan Exiles early access, and the For Honor closed beta are the preview apps that are now Game Ready.

More: Review roundup: Nvidia retains gaming crown with GTX 1080 Ti, but it’s spendy

The most notable new feature in the 378.78 drivers is support for the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. The 378 series drivers now support the full line of GeForce GTX 1050, 1050 Ti, and 1080 GPUs, including the mobile versions.

In addition, 378.78 adds or updates SLI profiles for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Titanfall 2, and Tom Clancy’s The Division. The only 3D Vision profile added or updated is for Ghost Recon: Wildlands,; no 3D Compatibility Mode Profiles were added or updated.

Some of the fixes in 378.78 include:

• Blue-screen crashes occurring with GeForce 1050 Ti implementations in some notebooks.
• PhysX using the CPU when the Optimize for Compute Performance setting is off for the GeForce GTX 980 Ti, resolving the drop in performance.
• The GFE FPS counter should no longer appear in Discord.
• The GPUGrid CUDA application should no longer cause driver errors.
• The PrimeGrid Genefer OpenCL tool should no longer cause driver errors.
• The Steam NvFBC H.264 encode should no longer crash.

Some of the known issues with 378.78 are:

• You might need to perform a clean installation.
• Civilization VI might show black corruption when entering in-game menus after skipping cutscenes.
• Device Manager might show error code 43 after installing driver with HDMI display connected.
• Pascal GPUs on notebook might remain blank and require a reboot after overinstalling the driver.
• Gears of War 4 might hang while loading levels on GeForce GTX 970M SLI systems.
• Quantum Break windows might remain blank or freeze in game scenes in windowed mode.

For all of the driver details for the 378.78 WHQL driver release, head over here. You can install the latest drivers using the Nvidia Experience app, or you can download them from the Nvidia driver page.

Adware lived on the Google Play Store for 2 months without anyone noticing

Why it matters to you

You may have been advertised to and tracked without your knowing, if you were one of the 10,000 people with infected devices.

The Google Play Store is generally a safe place to download apps, but sometimes malware still falls through the cracks. Case in point: A new malware using precision tactics to distribute adware was able to hide in apps on the Google Play Store for two months before it was discovered and removed. During that time it infected around 10,000 Android devices.

The malware itself has been dubbed Skinner and it basically distributed unwanted ads to users in a way that avoided suspicion by introducing ads into apps that people were already using. It was, however, finally discovered by researchers at Check Point, and is said to be one of the more sophisticated attempts at bringing malware to the Google Play Store.

More: Google Play celebrates anniversary with lists of its most popular apps

The goal behind Skinner was to be discreet, rather than infecting people as quickly as possible. That way, it could slowly infect more users and avoid raising alarms. The ads themselves were not ads that would normally be seen by users in apps, however. Thankfully, it seems that generating revenue through ads was the only goal for Skinner and it did not infect devices with more malicious malware.

Because of how sophisticated it was, the app was able to track location data and it waited until an app was opened to be sure that the device was being used. It also checked for debugging software and ensures that the app was installed from the Google Play Store rather than a third-party source — techniques it used to avoid detection.

The apps that included Skinner are no longer available on the Google Play Store, but many devices likely still have the malware installed and are still generating revenue for the developers behind the malware. If you notice that an app you have installed on your device has disappeared from the Google Play Store, you should probably get rid of it, and make sure that the apps that are installed are as up to date as possible.

Verizon is giving cellular customers free data — if they stream through Fios

Why it matters to you

Want to stream more? Verizon will now allow you to stream through Fios all you want without it counting against your Verizon data plan.

Verizon customers will soon be able to stream as much as they want — if they use the company’s Fios streaming service. Verizon has announced that Fios will no longer count against customers’ data plans, so if you use Fios, you’ll be able to stream as much as you want without having to worry about data.

To take advantage of the new feature, you may need to download the latest version of the Fios app, and you’ll need to be a Verizon cellular subscriber and a Fios streaming customer, of course.

More: The Best Unlimited Data Plan: Verizon vs. T-Mobile vs. AT&T vs. Sprint

“The Fios Mobile App allows you to stream 140-plus live channels outside of your home, watch your recorded DVR shows and movies while on the go, and access thousands of On Demand titles,” said Verizon in a statement.

The move is somewhat controversial, and previously would not have been allowed because it would have violated net neutrality laws. In the last few months, however, the Federal Communications Commission’s leadership has changed, as has its stance on zero-rating, or allowing some specific services to not count against data plans. The downside here is that it puts all other streaming services at a disadvantage — for example, if you decide to stream through Netflix, it will count against your data. Services like T-Mobile’s Binge-On were able to get through previous rules because they didn’t prioritize particular streaming services — they just offered data for streaming in general.

It’s not all that surprising that Verizon is making moves like this. Carriers like T-Mobile have been increasingly eating up Verizon and AT&T’s market share, and while neither of the two carriers are in danger of being overtaken by T-Mobile just yet, they will need to remain competitive in order to ensure they remain in the top spots in the U.S. We’ll likely see more features like this from the carriers in the near future.

Fixing a photo is quick and easy with these photo-editing apps

There’s no argument about it — Adobe Photoshop remains, hands down, the best photo-editing software on the market. But unless you’ve undergone formal training, Photoshop proves a difficult program to master, and is expensive to use.

More: Adobe brings new Lightroom features to Android in version 2.0

For the home user, Photoshop isn’t necessary for basic and semi-advanced tasks, such as resizing, cropping, and exposure correction. Downloadable photo-editing tools have advanced way past MS Paint, and you can do almost anything you could do in Photoshop — and sometimes more. The best part? Many of them are free. Below are some of our favorites, whether you’re in the market for a desktop or mobile solution.

Desktop options

GIMP

Often heralded as the best free alternative to Photoshop, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open-source application that relies on a community of volunteer developers who maintain and improve the product. Available for Mac and PC, you get a lot of professional-level editing and retouching tools — perfect for designers who can’t or won’t shell out hundreds of dollars to Adobe.

Once you launch the program, you’ll find a dedicated window that displays the image, and separate windows to organize the toolbox and layers. When using a large display, or two displays, you have a nice, big workspace to play with your images. Icons in the toolbox represent actions such as the crop, lasso, paint and brush tools, and you can apply various effects to your photos. It may seem like Photoshop, but GIMP has its own look and feel.

Download it now for:

Windows MacOS Linux

PhotoScape

Apart from basic image editing, PhotoScape also lets you create slideshows and animated GIFs, capture screenshots, and combine and split images. You can customize your toolbar, so you can organize the features you use most, and then revert to the default toolbar when you want to dig deeper into the software’s offerings.

PhotoScape software is free to download. But it’s part of the Open Candy network, and runs ads for other “recommended” software. This is isolated to PhotoScape, and won’t infiltrate the rest of your computer with adware, but it’s worth noting.

Download it now for:

Windows MacOS

The Nik Collection

The Nik Collection is a full image-editing suite offered by Google, and it’s now totally free. This is one of the most powerful and complete online photo tools at the moment, and Google providing it all for free was pretty big news. The Collection includes seven total plugins, each with a different focus. Analog Efex Pro focuses on effects that produce vintage looks or make digital photos appear more natural, while Color Efex Pro provides a ton of filters. Silver Efex Pro, on the other hand, is tailored for black-and-white images, while Viveza allows you to alter specific colors in the photo without using filters. Sharpener Pro allows you to improve clarity and Dfine gives you noise reduction capabilities, and so on.

This allows you to either download whatever tool you need at the time, or download them all and use them interchangeably. The tools may take a little time to learn, but by separating out the different functions, the software makes it easier for people to pick and choose what they need in any given moment.

The only downside here is that the Nik Collection is basically one-and-done. It doesn’t look like Google will be offering patches or updates to these tools, so they may not have much longevity. Get them while they still work!

Download it now for:

Windows MacOS

Paint.NET

This is a case where the apprentice becomes the master. Paint.NET was created as an college undergraduate senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and it continues to be maintained by alumni of the program. It was originally developed as a free replacement for Microsoft Paint, which comes as part of Windows. Paint.NET has surpassed Microsoft Paint in functionality and has some advanced features.

Paint.NET features an intuitive user interface that supports layers, an “unlimited undo” to back out of any mistake no matter how disastrous, various special effects, and other tools. Where Microsoft Paint was able to do little more than resize images, Paint.NET is able to handle more advanced photo editing that you’d expect from Photoshop and other paid programs. 

Download it now for:

Windows

HitFilm Express

HitFilm Express is a free video editing service that specializes in digital effects — which makes it ideal for creating more imaginative photo effects as well. With both 2D and 3D compositing, more than 180 visual effects to choose from, and a community with plenty of ideas, you can make nearly image that you can dream of. From putting a headshot into an Ironman-like HUD, to turning your best friend into a Jedi, this is the app to try if you’re aiming for the stars.

Download it now for:

Windows MacOS

Online options

Don’t want to download and install software on your computer? If you have a reliable connection, here are a few Web-based programs that will never see the spinning the disc of your hard drive.

Pixlr.com

Pixlr.com has a tiered offering that is entirely free. The site separates its photo editing into Pixlr Editor (advanced) and Pixlr Express (efficient). The site also offers a mobile suite so you can edit photos on a smartphone or tablet — both iOS and Android versions are available. 

The Pixlr Editor is more like Photoshop. It’s a straightforward photo-editing tool that lets you crop, size, and tweak the image. It has a red eye tool that eliminates those devil eyes that appear when the flash goes off. Express, on the other hand, lets you put creative overlays on your images — this is really for playing with your photos. You can put a stain on a picture to make it look like you rested a coffee mug on the photo, for example.

Note that Pixlr straddles the line between Web-based and desktop image editors: There are both mobile and desktop versions of the software that you can download. However, it’s usually easier to just pop open a browser tab and load up the online version.

Try it now, courtesy of:

Pixlr

Sumopaint

Sumopaint is one of those “Photoshop lite” image editors that has sprung up in recent years — but it stands out by being truly good at what it does. This web-based software — there’s a download option as well — has a layout very familiar for Adobe users, a tool set that’s easy enough to understand and use, and a minimalistic feel that concentrates on getting the job done. This option is better suited to more serious photographers who don’t want to give up any editing options…but also don’t want to pay for their editing software.

Try it now, courtesy of:

Sumopaint

iPiccy

If you use Microsoft Paint rather than Photoshop, iPiccy might be for you. The site lets you edit photos with an automated process. Rather than using wands and tools to actively edit photos, the effects are applied to the whole photo in most cases.

Click a button to fix images, resize, crop, rotate, flip, change the exposure, and other settings. While iPiccy may sound like a simplified app, there is complexity in its wide offering of editing options. Many settings have a slide rule that let you adjust brightness, contrast, and other functions. The one complaint might be that there is no undo button.

What we would like to see is a reset-to-zero button on the slide rule, because it’s difficult to get the bar back to the beginning if you decide you want to return to the starting point. Several tools, including a blemish and wrinkle remover, help clean up photos. Then you can do a few cosmetic fixes like apply a sun tan, blush, or mascara.

Try it now, courtesy of:

iPiccy

PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a favorite editing tool for amateur photographers who want to quickly edit their images and turn them into mini-masterpieces. There are four primary tools in the PicMonkey holster. Editing, Touch Up, Design, and Collage. Editing probably provides the most functionality, allowing you to apply effects, advanced filters, spot correction, and so on. However, Touch Up is also a popular choice for selfies, profile pics, event photos, and so on. As you can see, this suite is designed more for the average person, or those who want the best picture possible for social media or sharing, and aren’t afraid to work on it with more advanced tools.

PicMonkey now operated with a “free trial” version of its full app, but you can still access most photo editing options for free on the website by choosing “Edit a Photo.”

Try it now, courtesy of:

PicMonkey

Easel.ly

Easel.ly is an info-graphic oriented web app with free registration and a plethora of templates to choose from. If you want to turn your photo into a chart or include it in a report, this one of the best free options you’ll find. The blank template allows you to add a number of objects and effects if you aren’t interested in an infographic, but still want to spruce up your photo and have a little fun with it before posting online.

Try it now, courtesy of:

Easel.ly

Attack on Slack: Google beefs up its Hangouts services, Meet and Chat

Why it matters to you

Google’s new Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat platforms will challenge Slack in a bid for corporate chat dominance.

Hangouts, Google’s multi-platform messaging app, has played second fiddle to the newer, shinier Allo messenger since the latter’s debut last September. That is not surprising — counting Google’s other relatively new Duo messenger, the company has six chat apps. Google’s size aside, it’s difficult for any company to pay equal attention to members of a growing family.

At Google’s Cloud Next conference in San Francisco on Thursday, though, the company paid Hangouts the attention it deserved.

Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat are the next generation of Hangouts. They are the first Google messaging apps aimed exclusively at the business sector, and the search giant’s effective take on Slack, Microsoft Teams, and the other inter-office chat platforms that have begun to sprout up like wildflowers in recent months.

Hangouts Chat

Hangouts Chat, a stand-alone new service that is separate from the existing Hangouts, looks a little like Slack in form and function, but there is no mistaking its lineage. It inherits Hangouts’ one-on-one chat tab, plus its native compatibility with the web, Android, and iOS.

New dedicated, virtual chat rooms offer an easy way to rope in multiple users, and a powerful new search function that can filter by rooms, people, links, and file types mentioned in the course of conversation. Hangouts Chat supports Google Docs and Sheets — you can assign document permissions automatically based on the users who created it. And a native viewer lets participants view photos and videos directly in conversations.

Chat is extensible, too. It boasts @meet, an intelligent bot that uses natural language processing and machine learning to automatically schedule meetings with Google Calendar. And it supports “app scripts” that will allow third-party partners like Asana, Box, Prosperworks, and Zendesk to roll out Hangouts’ chat bots and integrations of their own.

Hangouts Meet

Hangouts Chat is only the first part of Google’s one-two enterprise punch. The company detailed the aforementioned Hangouts Meet, a lightweight video chat service for inter-office meetings.

Hangouts Meet supports up to 30 users in a call, and, if you browse the web with Chrome or Firefox, doesn’t need a browser plugin. Microsoft’s Edge and Apple’s Safari will require a plugin until they gain support for the Web RTC standard.

Perhaps more crucially, Hangouts Meet makes joining meetings a cinch — participants don’t need an account, plugin, or download to join, and can dial in from a conference room, laptop, or the Hangouts Meet app. Invitations integrate with Google Calendar — tapping the calendar entry from an iPhone or Android phone opens the Hangouts Meet app with the number and meeting ID ready to dial. Folks who haven’t been invited can ‘knock’ and ask to join.

Hangouts Chat won’t be available widely, just yet — it will initially roll out to companies in Google’s “early adopter” program. And mum is the word on Hangouts Meet.