Video calling software Zoom gives people more opportunities during the holidays to get together online with family and friends outside of that one hug contact.
The good news for people who decide to do the family celebrations online this year is that the free version of Zoom’s video conferencing software lets go of its typical 40-minute limit.
The less good news is that it does so at particular times, linked to specific holidays.
For Hanukkah, the limit will be lifted from 4 pm on Thursday, December 17 to 12 noon on Saturday, December 19. Anyone who wants to video calls the grandma before Christmas can do so unlimited from 4 pm on Wednesday, December 23 to 12 noon on Saturday, December 26.
For New Years, the limits will be removed from 4 pm on Wednesday, December 30 to 12 pm on Saturday, January 2.
Video software like Zoom or Google Meet had to replace some physical contacts for many people this year, but it does impose limits on its free versions.
As a gesture, they will be suspended for a while around the holidays. Zoom previously did something similar around the American holiday Thanksgiving.