Google video chat now supports 16-head grid view

Bigger Brady Bunch-style chats are now supported on Google's web client.

Corinne Reichert Senior Editor

Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.

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I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.

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Corinne Reichert

April 22, 2020 2:50 p.m. PT

Google tile video chat — Google Meet supports a grid view of up to 16 people.
Google

Google's video chat app now supports a grid view of up to 16 people, the company announced Wednesday. The update comes while many are working from home or taking part in remote education due to COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns. Google Meet will now adjust the grid view to show active speakers.

"Seeing more people at the same time can help improve the dynamics of larger group meetings and classes," Google said in a blog post. "It can help remote meetings feel more like in-person meetings and encourage participation."

For now, the 16-head view is only for Google Meet on the web, rolling out from April 20 until May 1, but the tech giant said it will soon be supported on other devices. Its also got pro updates for larger meetings and better layouts planned.