Google Duo started the month warning that soon “it’s going to be even better”, becoming known as Google Meet, while the previous Google Meet app was renamed Meet (original) which will almost certainly go away. The transformation is complete now.
We knew since last month that the days of the Duo name were numbered, but not the app as such, which would be updated by adopting certain functions of Meet (and its name). Now Google forces change and we will have the new version whether we like it or not the next time we open the app.
Google Duo is Meet and Meet is Meet (original)
Google Duo is a bit like Schrödinger’s cat. It is possible that in your launcher you still see it as Google Duo and with its blue icon, but if you check the applications installed on the mobile you will see that it has already changed its name, being called Meet and with the new colored icon. The change appears when you open the app.
When we open the application we will find full screen review which indicates that Duo has been updated to Meet, keeping features that were already there and adding others that weren’t there but were in Meet, like live sharing, scheduled meetings, or subtitles. By closing this screen, we can start using Google Duo under its new name and new functions, Google Meet.
Of course, Google wants you to be aware of the name change, because at the top of the screen there’s still a little notice that now says Duo has been updated for Meet. Until you press It’s unders tood
To avoid? confusions, Google recently renamed the old Meet app as (original) Meet, changing the colors of its icons to monochrome green. The app continues to work today, but Google recommends you upgrade to the new Google Meet app, which can somehow result in ending up in Google’s messaging app graveyard, like so many others. .
Google continues to come full circle with messaging and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of what’s what, so here is a summary of all that has changed with this dance of name, icons and functions:
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The old Meet app is now called Meet (original) and its icon is green
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The old Duo app is now called Meet, with the colored icon
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Meet (original) can still be used, but will likely close eventually
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Original Duo features (such as Knock, knock mode) are still available
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Meet features such as scheduled meetings, virtual backgrounds or chat in video calls are added
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New features: watch YouTube videos in video calls, share Spotify playlists and games like UNO or Kahoot
Through | Google
