Google Duo May Also Be A Desktop Standalone, Potentially Replacing Hangouts

Google Duo could now make a transitional shift to desktops - both Windows and Mac, courtesy a new application that could b on its way in the very near future. This means that the entire video calling process could get a lot smarter when initiated from desktops.

Now, as per a 9to5Google report, Google could make available a standalone Google Duo service as a web client. The report quotes unnamed sources and reportedly states that users of popular web browsers such as Chrome, Safari, and Firefox web browsers could check out Duo potentially requiring users to sign-in to the app through their Google accounts.

At this instant in time, it is worth noting that Google would officially be phasing away Hangouts from as early as end of 2019, which means that Duo on desktops (still rumoured) could leverage the situation and draw in users who earlier preferred Hangouts. Also, the reach of the former could be comparatively more when number of devices (and users) are taken into consideration, in case a Duo web client for desktops is indeed launched.

At this juncture, Google Duo app received a new update on January 21, 2019, that lets users of Android tablets leverage all the features offered by Google Duo for Android mobile users. For starters,  USP of Google Duo is its “Knock-knock” functionality that lets users see the caller, before answering them, through live video previews. The app also offers the ability to let users send live video messages to recipients in case the latter is not online at any point in time.

Finally, as far as Google Hangouts coming to an end is concerned, the transition beings October 2019; meaning all users would be shifted to Google Chats.

“We will continue to support consumer use of classic Hangouts and expect to transition consumers to free Chat and Meet following the transition of GSuite customers. A more specific timeline will be communicated at a later date,” stated Google in a blog post.

Also Read: Google I/O 2019 Developer Conference Scheduled For May 7-9, Android Q Incoming

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