Despite several efforts from Google, Android has never successfully matched Apple’s iMessage or FaceTime. A decade ago, Google introduced two applications called Allo and Duo, with only Duo lasting into the 2020s. Unfortunately, video communication on Android has struggled to thrive since then.
Android users commonly acknowledge the chaotic nature of Google’s messaging strategy. While many recall the numerous unsuccessful texting apps, the same holds true for video communication. Duo was regarded as Google’s best shot at a video calling solution, yet it was ultimately retired.
The Era Before Duo
Do You Remember Hangouts?
Google’s foray into video calling dates back to 2008 with Gmail. The company integrated Google Talk into its email service a month after the launch of the first Android smartphone. However, a dedicated video calling app for Android didn’t arrive until 2011.
This app, Google Talk, was pre-installed on all Android devices from 2008. However, its usage was limited mainly to those with the recently released Android 2.3 Gingerbread. True to its pattern of launching competing services, Google introduced Hangouts just two months later.
To this day, Hangouts stands out as Google’s most cohesive attempt at a messaging platform. Originally part of the Google+ social network—which faced considerable criticism—Hangouts later replaced Google Talk video calls in Gmail and evolved into a standalone app that combined text messaging and video communication.
Between 2013 and 2016, Google enhanced Hangouts, allowing for SMS support and making features accessible via a web browser. Integration with Google Voice made it available to anyone with a Google account, eliminating the need for phone numbers.
Duo’s Introduction to a Complicated Landscape
Admittedly, it Nearly Worked
I was part of the Android community during the rise and fall of Hangouts, and I recall the excitement surrounding its features. For the first time, it seemed that Google was taking a unified approach to messaging—facilitating instant messaging among Google accounts, SMS support with desktop synchronicity, and video calling—all within one app. Sadly, Google did not seem to share that sentiment.
During Google I/O 2016, the company unveiled two new apps: Allo and Duo. This initiative aimed to address both text messaging and video communication, introducing users to the Google Assistant. Hangouts continued to exist alongside these new apps until it underwent rebranding and was split into two versions mainly for enterprise users.
Allo turned out to be an even bigger flop than Google+, leading to its discontinuation just two years post-launch. In contrast, Duo proved to be more resilient. While Android’s messaging ecosystem remained chaotic, Duo offered a streamlined solution for video calls.
Duo supported both phone numbers and Google accounts, allowing users to see who was on the platform, making it easy to know whom they could contact. The app provided both video and audio-only calls, included screen-sharing capabilities, and featured a neat “Knock Knock” function that displayed a live preview of the caller before answering. Notably, it excelled under low-bandwidth conditions, outperforming most competitors.
Before Duo was introduced, many Android users were unsure which app to use for video communication. Google was simultaneously maintaining several competing applications—Hangouts, Hangouts Meet, Messenger (for SMS), Voice, and GChat—with none explicitly designed for typical video calling. Duo was the Android equivalent to FaceTime that users desperately needed.
The Return to Mundanity in Video Calling
But Perhaps That’s Acceptable
Duo remained available until 2022 when Google opted to make significant changes once again. Rumors had circulated for years that Duo was to be merged with Meet, and that finally transpired. Duo, known for its straightforward and focused video calling attributes, saw those distinguishing features diluted by the integration with Meet.
Notably, in 2017, Hangouts underwent rebranding and split into two applications: Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. In a puzzling move, Google chose to retain the Hangouts brand for its enterprise offerings while offering a Zoom-like video conferencing experience with Meet.
By 2020, the “Hangouts” name was removed, transforming Hangouts Meet into “Google Meet,” which continued as a competitor to Zoom. The merger with Duo occurred in 2022, leading to the amusing situation where two apps named “Google Meet” appeared in the Play Store, adding to user confusion.
Fortunately, the earlier business-oriented Google Meet app was phased out in 2024, resulting in a consolidated platform that now encompasses both Duo’s one-on-one calling features as well as Zoom-like conferencing capabilities.
The landscape is now straightforward: for any video calling needs with Google, the Meet app is where users should go. While it may be simple, it seems as if Google has settled for mediocrity. Duo once had its own vibrant take on video communication, in stark contrast to Meet’s more traditional feel, which isn’t ideal for personal interactions.
In conclusion, while simplicity may be preferable to complexity, I wished for a world where Duo remained for personal calls and Meet was designated for business. Nonetheless, Google evidently had other intentions, and one can only hope for stability in the future.
