Google Duo getting web support, group calls and better audio, says lead engineer

Google Duo, Google’s premier video calling app, has been slowly improving since its launch in August 2016 and the current Google Play Store count suggests it has been installed more than 100 million times (though that does include devices on which it comes preinstalled and it no doubt far exceeds the number of active monthly users).

Based on a recent comment by its lead engineer, it looks like it’s set to get even better soon.

A Twitter user recently asked Google’s Justin Uberti about whether Duo would get Chrome OS, web, and group call support, as well as better audio quality, in the future. Uberti’s response? Simply, “Yes.”

Chrome is lagging behind its competitors in the areas of web support — you can’t even separate Skype from Outlook for web (though I beg Google not to take the same approach with Duo and Gmail) — and group calls, both of which would provide obvious improvements to the service.

So, it’s good to learn that these features are on their way; however, if Uberti’s second response is anything to go by, they might not be here anytime soon:

In related news, Amit Fulay, Google’s Head of Product for Real-Time Communications, announced he had left the company yesterday to join Facebook. Fulay is believed to have had a significant role in Duo’s developments, but the reason behind his move wasn’t provided.