Google has announced that it is integrating its consumer video calling app Duo and its business-focused counterpart Google Meet closer to include all Meet features in an upgraded Duo experience, with plans to combine the apps under the Google Meet brand.
Over the next few weeks, Google will add all Meet features to the Duo app to facilitate easier video meeting schedules and instant connection with an individual or group. Meanwhile, existing video falling features in Duo will remain, including the ability to make video calls to friends and family by phone number or email address and other consumer-based features.
In addition, conversation history, contacts and messages will continue to be saved in the app, and users will not need to download a new app.
The combination of videoconferencing apps will bring new features to Duo previously only available on Meet, including customized virtual backgrounds, scheduling meetings, in-meeting chat, live content sharing, real-time closed captions, an increased participant capacity to 100 and integration with Google tools such as Gmail, Calendar, Assistant, Messages and more.
Javier Soltero, vice president and general manager of Google Workspace, in a blog, details all of the enhancements made to both apps, including 100 new features and improvements in Meet made since 2020.
The combination of apps provides all Google users with a single solution for both video calling and meetings with people across their lives, Soltero writes.
“As part of our mission to build a connected experience for all users, we’re excited to bring our video calling and meeting technologies together into a single, powerful, easy-to-use solution,” Soltero writes. “Video communications is a major area of focus for us and you’ll continue to see our investments in Google Meet to help people to connect, collaborate, and share experiences on any device, at home, at school, and at work.”
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