Google Is Working On A Simpler Homescreen for Duo

Google Duo is a simple video calling app that brings you closer to your friends and family with just a click away, —and it allows you to leave a video message if the person you’re calling can’t pick up. Google Duo is all set to get a home screen redesign with a ‘New Call’ button. In recent times a lot of efforts by Google have been invested into the Google Meet. These efforts introduced users to a multitude of features and updates. However, Google Duo has not been forgotten by the giant tech company, and XDA-Developers now report the app will be seeing its own update, in the form of a UI redesign. The new button is geared towards helping users make calls more easily. The ‘New Call’ button which appears in the bottom-right corner, will also let users call their Assistant “Home” device. The new home screen user interface (UI) still retains the search bar at the top of the screen while the contacts are displayed in a new format along with the ‘New Call’ button. Google said the redesign would reach users in the coming few weeks.

The new feature within the redesigned UI for the video chat mobile app developed by Google was announced through a post on the Google Duo Help webpage. With the new interface set to roll out, the home screen of the app looks better organized and cleaner. Additionally, important features will now be accessible from a single button, making the app’s interface easier to use. The company says the new blue-colored floating action button for ‘New Call’ will let users start a new call on the app, create a group, see groups and contact lists, and call your “home” device.

Also, the redesigned UI removes a few functionalities that were available previously. Google Duo users will now be able to ‘Send Messages’ by clicking on the contact or group and subsequently clicking on the Message button. Users can ‘Create Groups’ by tapping on the ‘New Call’ and then clicking on the Create group link. Another fantastic offering to Google Duo users will be the ability to ‘See Contacts and Existing Groups’ by either searching for them or via the ‘New Call’. To ‘Invite Contacts’, users will have to tap the ‘New Call’ and search for the contact either via the search bar or through the contacts list.

Although the first platform to receive this update hasn’t been specified, however, it is expected both Android and iOS users will benefit from this redesign. This redesign is the first for Google Duo in almost a year since the update that added the ability to conduct Google Duo video calls on Android TV came in August last year. Overall, the new UI redesign makes the home screen less cluttered. It also makes things easier to discover by making important features accessible from a single entry point.

The company emphasizes that it is “keeping all the features you love” amid this reorganization. You’ll be able to send messages (video or audio), notes, or pictures by tapping a contact/group and clicking on the “Message” button. However, despite the shifted focus Google Duo is currently experiencing, rumors are going around that Google might eventually phase out Duo in favor of Meet someday. In the meantime, users await as Google continues to improve the service with new additions to Duo, only time will tell whether Meet will replace Duo or not.