- According to anonymous sources, Google might have plans to kill off Google Duo.
- Google’s plan might involve replacing Duo with Meet, its enterprise-focused video chat service.
- The transition likely won’t happen for the next few years.
If Google is known for anything, it’s for having multiple services that do the same thing. It’s also known for killing off popular services that are only a few years old. Wouldn’t you know it, a new rumor suggests Google could be doing both of those things by giving the ax to Google Duo in favor of Google Meet (via 9to5Google).
Right now, Duo is the company’s consumer-centric video chat app — think of it as Google’s version of Apple’s FaceTime. Meet, however, is more focused on the business sector, kind of like Google’s answer to Zoom.
Related: How to use Google Duo: Everything you need to know!
Allegedly, the new head of Google’s communication services, Javier Soltero, doesn’t see any reason for both services existing. Therefore, a plan might already be in motion to ax Duo and go all-in on Meet instead.
Google Duo and Google Meet: Why have both?
The COVID-19 pandemic and the meteoric rise of Zoom has proved to Google that consumers are fine using an enterprise product for consumer activities. In other words, people have no problem using Zoom for chatting with friends and family and conducting business. Since this is the primary reason Google Duo and Google Meet are separate services, Google likely feels that Meet can do what Duo does just fine.
Related: 10 best video chat apps for Android
If you’re a big fan of Duo, don’t worry: the source of this information says that it will take up to two years for Google to sunset Duo. In the meantime, Duo will still work and receive support from Google.
For what it’s worth, Google gave a statement to 9to5Google related to this rumor. Here’s what the company had to say:
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.
Obviously, there’s no denial of the rumor there, but there’s no confirmation either. Take it as you will. However, anyone even remotely familiar with Google’s history will assure you: it is very, very likely that Duo will get the ax. It’s just a matter of when.
