Google Duo Replaces Hangouts In Apps Package For Android

Google has announced that it is replacing Hangouts with Google Duo in the set of core applications included within Android-powered smartphones. Duo is Google's new uncomplicated  1-to-1 video calling app that has been called a "simple, reliable and fun" app that "takes the complexity out of video calling."

According to a report in Android Police , Google sent an official email out to its Google Mobile Services partners on Oct. 5 announcing the change

"Today, we are announcing that Google Duo will replace Hangouts within the suite of core GMS apps, and Hangouts will become GMS Optional for telephony products. This change will take effect on December 1, 2016," stated Google in an email.

What this means is that Hangouts will no longer be present as a default app in Google's suite of apps that mandatorily comes pre-loaded in a new phone from 2017 onwards, unless of course phone manufacturers decide to retain it. Those users interested in using the app will need to download it separately from the Play Store.  

Google has assured that the support for Hangouts For Android will continue but several industry observers are doubtful of its future

However the replacement of Hangouts with Duo can be seen as a part of Google's strategy to position Hangouts, which has more powerful features than Duo, as a business communications platform, while placing Duo in all smartphones for dedicated video calling and pushing for its widespread adoption.  

Duo itself is gaining in popularity. Softpedia reports that the app has now crossed the 10 million downloads mark in Play Store. The app allows for video calling via both Wi-Fi or networks and has inbuilt features to help strengthen the quality of calls and stop frequent call drops. It also has a feature called Knock-Knock that allows the receiver of a call see a brief video of the caller.