Google Duo. I haven’t heard this name for a long time, or maybe not that long, because until recently it was the name of the main Android video calling app. Then Google started confusing us by transforming it into Google Meet, a transformation that culminated after Google Duo adopted the Google Meet icon. Now Google Duo Google Duo and Google Meet call each other again, at the same time.
If you update to the latest version of Google Meet, you’ll find that the app comes with a surprise. The Google Meet shortcut is retained, but a Google Duo shortcut, with old name and icon. It’s not a mistake.
the drama continues
Let’s summarize. Google Duo was launched in 2016 alongside Allo (may he rest in peace) like Android Facetime. Since then, the application is pre-installed on all Android phones and stands out for its simplicity. In the following years, Google began to dismantle Hangouts, resulting in the creation of (Hangouts) Meet, also video messaging, but focused on business.
There could only be one left, and Google decides that Meet will be the one that will survive, but not the Meet we already know, but rather Duo with a few more Meet functions. Google Duo is then renamed Google Meet and changes its icon, while the previous Google Meet becomes Meet (original) while waiting in purgatory for Google to unplug assisted breathing. The process was completed a few weeks ago.
We thought this was going to be the end of the story, but we were wrong. The latest Google Meet update bring back the Google Duo icon, and it’s not a bug. Google confirmed to 9to5Google that this is an intentional change so users can find the app under the Duo and Meet names.
The app is Meet, but with a new Duo shortcut. If we go to the information of the app, we see that it is indeed Meet.
The app is still called Meet, but the icon in the launcher with the name of Duo is maintained for those who have not heard that the application has changed its name or that they have forgotten it. In a way, it’s confirmation that Google has realized it’s making billions of users giddy with a change that’s far more complicated than strictly necessary.
So today Google Meet is both Meet and Duo, while the old Google Meet is still called Google Meet (original). Stay tuned for the next episode of this summer’s soap opera.
Through | 9to5Google
