Google Duo update: new contacts menu and Meet integration

Google keep strengthening your video calling app and updating it for clearer and easier use. Now you have improved your contacts menu to make it easier to distinguish who uses and who does not Google Duo for your video calls, while also better integrating calls with Google Meet and its new system of Meet calls, direct heir to Duo's technology.

Mixing the contact list

The main change that has been made in Google Duo it is in your contact list. Previously differentiating between voice calls and video calls with a slider button, something that has been replaced by tabsThis way, users can see more clearly what type of call they are going to make before selecting a contact, reducing confusion between audio calls y video calls.

The second change that has been made is Mix All your contacts on a single screen. You'll instantly see which contacts use Duo and which would receive an invitation. Previously, recent contacts were grouped together, and the rest were invitations. To access everything, you needed to press an extra button. Now everything is displayed at once, focusing on the people you want to contact and making it easy to identify who you can call directly and who you can invite. invite to use the service.

In addition, the new contacts view takes better advantage of the integration with your Google accountThe incoming and outgoing call screens use the information stored in contacts.google.com To display the name you have saved, while during the call, the name of the Google profile chosen by each contact is shown. This keeps your data synchronized across all your devices.

If you notice that when you search for a contact by number, it doesn't appear as available, it may be because you haven't given Google permission to save your contacts. contacts from your device in your account. In that case, you can activate this option so that Meet/Duo can correctly show who is available to call from any platform associated with your profile.

Call or video call: new, clearer selector

The first change is immediately noticeable. Whereas before it was done with a slider to switch between video and audioIt's now a clearly differentiated tab or button. While you might think there were more important things to change or add first, it seems this is an improvement aimed at those who had trouble understanding the previous mode.

In Android, for example, that type of switch that was used before is usually used for activate or deactivate functions as soon as the button slid to the side. Here, however, sliding it didn't activate anything new; it simply deactivated the video. The new button eliminates any ambiguityYou choose audio or video before tapping on the contact. This makes it easier for less experienced users and reduces errors when initiating calls.

The update also aligns with the revamped experience of Meet calls, which combines the original simplicity of Duo with more advanced options such as automatic subtitlesChat within the call or screen sharing. Although these options appear under the Meet brand, they rely heavily on Duo's technology and the simplified interface that is now becoming the standard.

Invite someone to Duo and better manage your contacts

It also changes how you can invite contacts to use Duo. Previously, Duo only allowed you to invite contacts to use it. suggested a handful of people From your contact list: if you wanted to see them all, you had to press the button ContactsThis meant that many users were unsure who they could invite or call.

Now the list is so fluid that, by swiping up, You will see all the contacts on your mobile phone.First, those who have Duo, mixed with those who don't have it but accept preview messagesAnd finally, the rest. In a single gesture you can see who is available, who needs an invitation, and who can only receive a prior message.

Another change is the addition of a button at the top of the contacts list that allows access to the full list for calling friends with this app. But that won't be the only way. If you make a gesture from below You'll see the entire list of people in your address book appear, so from there you can start the call or video call directly, without going through any intermediate menus.

You'll even have a integrated search engine Once you slide the interface open, it will appear at the top, allowing you to type any name you want directly on the screen. This search engine benefits from synchronization with your Google account, helping you find contacts associated with both phone numbers and email addresses that use the service.

This reorganization is combined with certain privacy settings: for example, you can limit who can call you through your personal account by activating the option Only my contacts can call meThis way you avoid unwanted calls while still taking full advantage of the integration of your contact list across all your devices.

The future of Duo and the unknown of Allo

In his day, Google had Hangouts as an all-in-one application for communications. It allowed instant messaging and video calls, in addition to integrating SMS in the same application. However, in a fight to try to win market to its competitors, it sidelined Hangouts in favor of a new pair of applications: Allo for chats and Duo for video calls.

Google seems to be clear that Duo is the app that has resonated most with its users. Meanwhile, Allo only appears to be maintaining its momentum in certain specific markets. Duo it comes standard on many devices. Replaced Hangouts as a mandatory application in the system, and receives many updates continuously, while Allo always remains more still.

Over time, Google's strategy has unified all these experiences under the umbrella of Google MeetDuo has contributed its direct calling technology, its simple interface, and features such as low light mode or the classic Knock, knockWhile Meet has added productivity tools such as meeting scheduling, automatic captions, and virtual backgrounds, this process has led to the concept of Meet calls, which inherits the Duo base but with a more complete and modern communication experience.

Although some classic features of the old service (such as Family mode or Moments) will no longer be available as the transition progresses, Google's commitment is clear: a cohesive platform that offers both quick calls to contacts and scheduled meetings, while maintaining standards of video qualitycloud encryption and collaborative tools.

Duo integration with Google Phone and connection to Meet

Recently, Google integrated Duo video calls into your Google Phone, improving the connectivity between both applications. If for something they want me to stand out Duo it's because of simplicityMaking it accessible with a single button in the phone app is a good way to try to gain many users, as it transforms a traditional call into a video call without leaving the usual interface.

As the merger with Meet progresses, this integration is being reoriented towards Meet callsBut the philosophy remains the same: starting a video call with a contact in your address book should be as natural as dialing their number for a voice call. For the end user, the transition is virtually seamless, aside from the addition of new features like subtitles, in-call chat, and screen sharing on compatible devices.

And despite losing its original creator, Google Duo will continue to receive advances through evolution of Meet and its direct calls. Many of the ideas that emerged in Duo remain alive in Google's current calling architecture, such as optimization for unstable connections, reduced data consumption, and faster video call setup.

Email, children's accounts, and other changes to the experience

One of the most appreciated changes that came to Duo and is now inherited in Meet Calls is the ability to use your email as a point of contact. Originally, Duo relied almost entirely on your phone number, forcing you to share this information with anyone you wanted to talk to.

Thanks to the new settings, it's possible to allow people to find you solely through your email addresswhile keeping your phone number private. This is especially useful for calls with people with whom you don't want to share such sensitive information, or in professional settings where email is preferred as an identifier.

In your account settings, you can enable or disable the option to be available with the email addressThis way you decide whether your contacts can reach you by phone, email, or both, adding an extra level of control over your privacy in video calls.

Improvements have also been introduced for children's accounts and managed profiles. Minors' accounts can only receive calls from approved contacts, which requires parents to be properly added in contacts.google.comIf a child could previously receive calls from any user and now cannot, it is because their account has been reclassified as a minor's account and restrictions have been tightened to protect them.

Google Duo has been around for a while now, with moderate success in terms of downloads and usage, and with continuous improvements such as support for voice-only calls. Otherwise, little has changed in its original philosophy since its inception: simplicity, speed and a very clear contacts interface, which is now enhanced with all these adjustments geared towards Meet and its wider ecosystem.

If you want to try Google Duo In its integrated form with Meet, it is very likely to come pre-installed on your device under the name Google Meet. Otherwise, you can download it for free from the Play Store:

With all these changes, the update of Google Duo contacts menu And its transition to Meet Calls consolidates a communication experience where it's easier to find the right people, decide how you want to be contacted, and take advantage of advanced features without sacrificing a simple interface focused on your contact list.