On: Google is capping Meet’s group video calls to an hour for free accounts

I think what OP specifically meant is that it's a first they actually charge for a product like this, so your predicted outcome is less likely.

The problem with google killing and making new "same" products is not monetization, but internal power struggles, where noone wants to be just a maintainer, but every boss wants to be the one to bring a new product out, even if it essentially does the same thing as before.

It's at least partly about monetisation. Nobody is worried about Google discontinuing their search or ad businesses.