Google Messages and Duo will stop working on ‘uncertified’ Android devices

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

It appears that two of Google’s key products – Messages and Duo – will soon stop working on ‘uncertified’  Android devices. But what are certified and uncertified Android devices though? To put it briefly, Google has its own certification program for devices that adhere to its Android security and permissions guidelines, do not ship with any pre-installed malware, and come with Google’s own suite of security features as part of the Google Play Protect service. And oh, they also offer access to essential Google servies such as Google Play, and Google’s own apps. Right now, HUAWEI’s newer phones would fall under the uncertified category, as they rely on its own HUAWEI Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem instead of Google’s solution. 

Now, back to the departure of Google Messages and Duo from uncertified devices. As per strings spotted in the Google Messages apps, the app will no longer work on such devices once March ends. “On March 31, Messages will stop working on uncertified devices, including this one,” the string says it in a clear and comprehensible fashion (via XDA-Developers).

HUAWEI and Honor devices with GMS are the main victims here

In the past, Google has allowed uncertified Android phones to sideload the app and use it without a hitch. And since the app doesn’t require users to sign-in with their Google account, there was barely any major trouble here. However, it appears that the honeymoon period is finally over, as the Google Messages app will simply stop working on such devices. It appears Google wants to ensure that security and privacy of users’ conversation is not jeopardised, now that it is doubnling down on its RCS efforts.

But Google Messages is not the only app that will become non-functional on uncertified Andriod devices. As spotted by the folks over at 9to5Google, the Google Duo app has started notifying users that the app won’t work on their uncertified Android device. “Duo is going away soon. Because you’re using an unsupported device, Duo will unregister your account on this device soon,” says the warning message. Google will give a grace period of 14 days after March 31 to let users download all their data such as videos and call logs though.  

The post Google Messages and Duo will stop working on ‘uncertified’ Android devices appeared first on Pocketnow.

Google is bringing Duo video calls to Android TVs

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Google recently announced Chromecast support for its Meet video calling platform. In a bid to make video calls even more easily accessible beyond just meeting rooms, Google is bringing Duo to Android TVs. Moving in that direction, Google is starting a beta program for Duo video calling on Android TV in the coming weeks.

Google Duo on Android TVs will support both one-on-one and group video calls. And in case a smart TV doesn’t have a built-in camera, users can still experience video calls by plugging in a USB camera. This will definitely come in handy for users who own a low-end smart TV that lacks a camera, but now have the flexibility to plug in an external camera and experience video calls on a larger screen.

While Duo is yet to arrive on Android TV, you can already run it on a smart display such as Google’s own Nest Hub line-up to make video calls. The expansion of Duo’s capabilities to Android TVs is an interesting move, as Google is reportedly planning to pull the plugs on Duo in order to focus on a single video calling platform, the revitalized Google Meet.

Source: Google Blog

The post Google is bringing Duo video calls to Android TVs appeared first on Pocketnow.

Google is reportedly planning to sunset Duo in favor of Meet, and it’s hardly a surprise

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

The famed “Google Graveyard” of apps and services might soon have another carcass to bury – Google Duo – but this would be a rather successful one that currently has millions of users. As per a report by 9to5Google, the search giant is planning to sunset Duo in favor of Meet, similar to how Hangouts was decommissioned to make way for new services.

VP and GM of G Suite Javier Soltero, who was recently handed over the command of Google Duo and Messages, reportedly told employees that it does not make sense to have two video apps, and it would instead be more productive to focus the energy on just one. The project is internally codenamed Duet – made from ‘Du’ of Duo and ‘et’ of Meet.

Before Google pulls the plugs on Duo, the plan is to migrate key Duo features such as end-to-end encryption, the ability to make video calls via a contact list of phone numbers, and even 3D effects to Meet. However, the transition from operating two video apps – (Duo and Meet) to just one (Meet) might take two years, so you can rest easy for now. As for Google, this is what the company had to say in a statement:

“We’re fully invested in Duo, which has seen astonishing growth during the pandemic. People around the world are relying on video calling more than ever, and we have no plans to interrupt that. We’ll continue to invest in building new Duo features and delivering a delightful experience for our users, customers and partners. We brought the Duo organization under Javier Soltero’s leadership in May, and it follows that we’re looking at ways that our video calling products can improve alongside one another.”

The post Google is reportedly planning to sunset Duo in favor of Meet, and it’s hardly a surprise appeared first on Pocketnow.

Nest Hub Max now supports group video calls on Google Meet and Duo

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

The Nest Hub Max smart display has so far only allowed 1-on-1 video calls via the Google Duo app. Well, that changes now. Google has announced that users can now start a group video call on their Nest Hub Max with just a voice command – “Hey Google, make a group call.”

To do so, users first have to create a group in the Google Duo app. Once they say the voice command, they will have to select the group on the Next Hub Max’s screen and they’re good to go. In addition to the Nest Hub Max, group video calling support via Google Duo is also arriving on third-party smart displays such as LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 Smart Display, JBL Link View and Lenovo’s 8 inch and 10 inch Smart Displays.

Additionally, group video calling on the Next Hub Max now supports Google Meet as well. Users can tune into a group video call with up to 100 people at once on their smart display. All you have to do is just utter the magic words “Hey Google, start a meeting” or “Hey Google, join my next meeting.”

Source: Google Blog

The post Nest Hub Max now supports group video calls on Google Meet and Duo appeared first on Pocketnow.

Google Duo’s family mode lets you add masks and draw doodles during video calls

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Google’s Duo video calling app is arguably one of the best in its domain, and it is now getting a new feature to add some flair to your video calls. The new family mode in Google Duo now lets you play with cool effects and draw doodles during video calls.

Duo_FamilyMode_512X512_TransparentBG_Device.gif

Choosing the doodle option pushes the video call view to the top and creates a white canvas in the bottom half to showcase your artistic doodles. And while you’re at it, the app will disable the mute or call end buttons, so you don’t have to worry about accidental touches.

Duo_MothersDay_512X512_TransparentBG_Device_1.gif

As for the face mask effects, you can choose between a cat filter, flower face, astronaut mask, and a lot more. In addition to the family mode, Google Duo is also adding effects and masks to regular one-on-one video calls. All this is now available in the Google Duo app on Android and iOS.

Source: Google Blog

The post Google Duo’s family mode lets you add masks and draw doodles during video calls appeared first on Pocketnow.

T-Mobile, Sprint go unlimited, Google phone rumors, Duo video chat, and Honor 8 revealed | Pocketnow Weekly 214

Posted on by Juan Carlos Bagnell

T-Mobile and Sprint are delivering “optimized” unlimited data plans. What does this mean for your phone bill? We’ve spent some time with Google’s Duo video chat. Will this pull people from Facetime? Plus we went hands on with the new Honor 8 at the launch even in San Francisco, and it seems we have yet another premium budget phone to compete against Oneplus, ZTE, and Alcatel. Make sure you’re charged and ready for episode 214 of the Pocketnow Weekly!Watch the live video broadcast from 2:00pm Eastern on August 18th (click

Continue reading »

The post T-Mobile, Sprint go unlimited, Google phone rumors, Duo video chat, and Honor 8 revealed | Pocketnow Weekly 214 appeared first on Pocketnow.