Google announced the Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max smart displays last summer. These smart displays are typically Google Home smart speakers paired with 7" and 10" displays, respectively, that are useful for watching videos or interacting with them using touch besides Google Assistant. The bigger one of the two i.e. the Google Nest Hub Max also features a 12MP camera that can be used for video calling. Until now you could only use the camera for one-on-one video calls but now, the Nest Hub Max can make group video calls on Duo and Google Meet.

One feature that we've come to really appreciate during these testing times is video calling. With the Google Nest Hub Max, you can now make group video calls on Duo. You can start by creating new groups in the Duo app on your smartphone and then saying, "Hey Google, make a group call." In the case of more than one group, you will be asked to select the group you wish to connect to. The camera on the Nest Hub Max is powered by a Sony IMX277 sensor and supports "auto-framing," which basically means that it can pan the video of the camera based on where you are to ensure you're always in the frame even when you're moving.

A couple of weeks ago, the company had increased the limit for participants in a group Duo call from 12 to 32 and the same limit also applies to group calls on the Nest Hub Max. Duo group calling is also available on smart displays from other companies including LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 Smart Display, JBL Link View, and Lenovo’s 8" and 10" Smart Displays.

Besides Duo, you can also join virtual meetings on Google Meet using the Nest Hub Max by saying "Hey Google, start a meeting" and then enter the meeting code. You can also skip the second step by saying "Hey Google, join my next meeting."

Back in April, Google had extended Meet to free users keeping the limitations on physical meetings due to the outbreak of COVID-19, shortly after dropping the Hangouts branding. With this, up to 100 users can join a meeting for free.

Source: Google Blog "The Keyword"