Google has revealed plans to merge Duo and Meet into one application that will take the Meet branding.
Duo is Google’s consumer-facing brand, offering free video calls and messaging, while Google has typically aimed Meet at businesses.
But Google said that Meet will become the overarching brand for both consumers and businesses, with the Duo application set to be renamed Meet later this year.
Javier Soltero, Vice President and General Manager of Google Workspace, said in a blog post: As part of our continued investment in helping people stay connected, and to adapt to evolving user needs, we’re upgrading the Duo experience to include all Google Meet features.”
“This integrated experience will provide users with a single solution for both video calling and meetings with people across their lives.
“Existing video calling features from Duo are here to stay, including the ability to make video calls to friends and family by phone number or email address, use fun filters and effects, send messages, and ask Google Assistant to call using existing devices. All conversation history, contacts, and messages will continue to be saved in the app and there will be no new app to download.”
Google first made Meet available to everyone as a free product in 2020 as COVID swept the globe and people were confined to their homes.
The merging of the apps will see Meet features added to Duo before the app is rebranded. This update will give users access to features previously exclusive to Meet, such as virtual backgrounds, in-meeting chat, content sharing and the ability to schedule meetings.
Google will also lift the previous restriction of 32 participants in Duo to 100.
Users of the original Google Meet app will be offered the chance to upgrade when the new app is available.
