The latest version of Google Duo has landed, but like so many other updates, it doesn't appear to change anything immediately upon installation. However, as tradition dictates, there are a couple of interesting things to see from a teardown. It looks like Duo will be adding support for pinning contacts to the top of your list for convenient access. You should also be able to begin making calls to smart displays linked to your account for an easy way to call home.
Read MoreGoogle Duo v41 prepares contact pinning and calling Home devices linked to your account [APK Teardown]
Update Notes for YouTube, Duo, Drive, the Google app, and more (September 16, 2018)
Every week, I examine somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred app updates while looking for changes. The most interesting things turn into APK Teardowns or Download posts. Many of the remaining updates are unremarkable, amounting to a few bug fixes, routine updates to libraries, or even just pixel-level adjustments to layouts and images. However, there are usually a few updates that land somewhere in between. I don't want to spam readers with dozens of short posts, but I hate to ignore things that people might want to know about, so I'm going to wrap up the leftovers for a little weekend reading and call it Update Notes.
Read MoreTip: You can video call your Smart Display at home from your phone (with both on the same Duo account)
If you have one of the fancy new Assistant Smart Displays, be it the already available Lenovo or the soon-to-be-released JBL Link View, odds are you're going to set up Duo on it and use it for video calls. One neat feature that you may not be aware of, though, is that you can video call your display from your phone, with both set up to use the same Duo account.
Read MoreTip: If you can't video call your contacts on Duo via Assistant (or Smart Displays), try saving their numbers as '+ country code'
A few weeks ago, the Google Duo team rolled out the option to place a video call through Assistant. All you had to say was "Ok Google, video call contact_name" and Duo would open up and make the call to that person. However, at the time, I thought the feature wasn't live for me. Assistant would tell me it's calling the correct person, Duo would open, but it would stay on the main screen, not placing the call. Clearly, something was amiss and I thought it was a bug that would be fixed with time. It wasn't until a few days ago that I figured out the reason it wasn't working: my contacts had their numbers either saved without a country code or with 00 as the international prefix.
Read MoreGoogle Duo comes to the iPad
It took a couple of years for Google Duo to spread its wings beyond single-device support, but now that it has, there's no stopping it. After enabling you to make video calls on multiple devices, including Android tablets, Duo is now expanding from the iPhone to the iPad as well.
Read MoreGoogle Duo turns two years old today
Two years ago today, Google released its 'Duo' video chat app for iPhone and Android. It was designed to replace the video chat component of Hangouts, just as Allo was supposed to supplant Hangouts' messaging functionality. Fast forward to the present, and Duo has definitely achieved its goal of making cross-platform video chat easier, even if it's not the runaway success Google probably hoped for.
Read MoreGoogle Duo v38 removes all signs of screen sharing, reveals referral rewards for India, and more [APK Teardown]
A new version of Duo is making the rounds with some interesting changes both on the surface and behind the scenes. There are some visual tweaks that bring a slightly updated look to Duo, and an option was removed from settings. Sadly, it looks like screen sharing may be dead for the foreseeable future. And if you're interested in scoring some rewards in trade for signing friends up to Duo, you'll have something to look forward to.
Read More[Update: Duo v37 required] You can now video call people on Duo through Google Assistant
Google Assistant is a quirky little helper. It can grab a feed from your security camera and livestream it on your TV, but for the longest time, it wasn't able to send a message on Allo or start a video call on Duo, Google's own services. The latter is starting to change now, though we knew this was bound to happen with the launch of Smart Displays getting closer.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Google Home v1.30 rebrands Backdrops to Ambient Mode, continues work on Google Assistant for Households, and more [APK Teardown]
Google Home v1.30 is rolling out today with a minor feature rebranding and some internal changes that show continued development on Google for Households, possibly with support for multiple homes. There are also more features for the smart home remote control, and Smart Displays will use the Google Home app to set up Duo calling. As always, download links are at the bottom.
Read MoreGoogle Duo v37 may be adding "pause" to video chats and rewards for referring friends [APK Teardown]
A new version of Google Duo is began rolling out earlier today. It doesn't look like any new features have gone live with this update, nor does it appear to restore the screen sharing feature that was briefly enabled a couple months ago. However, there are some new things to look forward to in the future, including what is likely a pause button for video chats and a reward system for inviting friends to use Duo.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
6
[Deal Alert] AUKEY's new 46W USB-C PD charger is $41.60 ($15 off) with coupon code on Amazon
-
4
[Deal Alert] The Arlo Baby smart baby monitor is down to $160 ($40 off)
-
7
Samsung's international Galaxy Note9 drops to $770 on eBay ($230 off)
-
2
26 temporarily free and 26 on-sale apps and games for Wednesday, including Baldur's Gate
-
2
[Deal Alert] Anker Nebula Capsule portable projector drops to $265 on Amazon ($85 off)
-
6
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
72
Pixel Stand review: A cool but tragically overpriced wireless charger
-
356
Pixel 3 and 3 XL review: Come for the camera, stay for everything else
-
9
Nimble portable/wireless chargers review: Eco-friendly designs, but high prices for such low specs
-
173
LG V40 review: The best LG's ever built still isn't quite enough
-
14
Owl Car Cam review: An expensive LTE-powered dashcam with quite a few flaws
-
72
Latest Roundups
-
0
[Bonus Round] Turbo Chase, Wave Bird, Heart Attacks, PAKO Forever, Stick Sprint, and Town of Salem - The Coven
-
9
20 best new Android games released this week including FIFA Soccer: Gameplay Beta, Piffle, and Badland Brawl
-
0
15 new and notable Android apps from the last week including Dig, Adaptive Brightness Tile, and DIY projects (10/6/18 - 10/13/18)
-
9
[Bonus Round] Skyward Journey, Allan Poe’s Nightmare, ELOH, Laser Mazer AR/VR, Zentris, Pixel Puzzle Collection, and Glory Ages - Samurais
-
9
20 best new Android games released this week including PAC-MAN: Ralph Breaks the Maze, Dig In: An Excavator Game, and Prince of Persia: Escape
-
0
Recent Apps and Games
-
15
A DMCA failure: Play Store automated takedowns hit indie app 'Always On Display AMOLED'
-
0
[Bonus Round] Turbo Chase, Wave Bird, Heart Attacks, PAKO Forever, Stick Sprint, and Town of Salem - The Coven
-
4
Telegram X adds support for Android Pie, new languages, and more
-
20
NBA 2K19 is finally out on Android, but it doesn't contain the online mode iOS users received
-
31
Google Maps is making it easier to find electric vehicle charging stations
-
15
Blast from the Past
-
44
1 Year Ago Today
WhatsApp now rolling out live location sharing
-
15
2 Years Ago Today
23 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last 2 weeks (10/3/16 - 10/17/16)
-
34
3 Years Ago Today
Chromecast And Android TV Users Are Seeing Widespread Casting Issues, Cast Receiver APK Update Fixes Them [APK Download]
-
292
4 Years Ago Today
Updated Android 5.0 Developer Preview Images (LPX13D) Are Available For The 2013 WiFi Nexus 7 And Nexus 5
-
333
5 Years Ago Today
This Is The Nexus 5, In Full-Size Official Press Photo Glory
-
22
6 Years Ago Today
Android 4.1.2 OTA (JZO54K) Rolling Out To Takju Galaxy Nexus, Manual Update Link Available
-
44
7 Years Ago Today
[Exclusive] Ice Cream Sandwich Will Finally Bring Native Screenshot Capabilities To Android
-
0
8 Years Ago Today
Rovio Tweets Out Angry Birds Download Stats: Over A Million Downloads On Friday Alone
-
44
