Since the Google Duo launch in 2016, Google has integrated its video calling service into its essential Android apps. The latest update to the Google Phone app adds a handy shortcut for the Google Duo video calling app. It can be found in the bottom right corner along with the keypad button.
Previously, we saw shortcuts for accessing Google Duo in its dialer and messaging apps. Additionally, several Android OEM’s have added the Google Duo button into their dialer and contacts apps.
Google Phone beta app now shows Google Duo button
Even before this beta update, the Google Duo integration can be found inside the Google Phone app. The option to make video calls can be found in the recents and contacts sections. As expected, it opens the Google Duo app when tapped on this newly added button.
This change was first spotted in the latest Google Phone beta app with version 50.0.314411800.
However, if someone chooses to make a video call, they can simply open the Duo app instead of the Google Phone app. With the COIVD-19 outbreak, we have seen a surge in usage of video calling apps.
According to Google, more than 10 million new people are starting to use Duo every week. It recently introduced the new AV1 (AOMedia Video 1) video codec technology to offer better video call quality even on low-bandwidth connections.
The Duo users can now capture photos together while on a video call and share it quickly with other users.
While it is currently limited to one-to-one video calls, Google said to be working to add this feature to group video calls.
Google to increase group video call size to 32
The company also increased the limit for group video calls from 8 to 12 concurrent users. In the coming days, we might even see the limit further increasing to 32 participants for a group video call.
Finally, Google Duo offers an invite link option that allows you to join a video call by simply clicking on the forwarded link.
This option is already available on video conferencing services like Zoom and Google Meet. While this feature is currently limited to Android and iOS, we might see support for the web version very soon.
Google added several new features, including masks and effects, in the newly introduced Family Mode. Now, users can doodle on video calls for others to see. The company also says all the video calls made through Google Duo will be end-to-end encrypted.