Google Duo is updated with new features: group video calls support up to 12 participants and improve video quality
After going to the attack of iMessage, now Google Duo aims to compete with WhatsApp with new features that enrich this messaging and video call app. Google, in fact, without making too much publicity to this app is continuing to develop it intensely.
News that will arrive from next week and that will concern both some technical aspects, such as the new codec for video compression used for video calls, both the maximum number of people who can participate in a video call and unique features that will be available through the ‘app. These innovations will be available on all versions of Google Duo, which is now available for Android and iOS devices, on all browsers for Windows, Mac and Chrome OS and even on Google Assistant compatible smart speakers and smart displays. Here are the main news coming in a few days.
Google Duo: the new video algorithm
Already today, thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms, Google Duo can significantly reduce background noise and audio interruptions during a call or video call. Another video compression algorithm, called AV1, will be introduced soon, which promises a higher quality with the same data bandwidth or a better hold of the video stream in case of poor performance connection. From the samples shown by Google, it would seem possible to obtain acceptable video quality already at 30 kbps.
Google Duo: other news coming soon
In addition to the technical side, Google’s engineers also worked on the Duo interface and functionality. It will soon be possible to take screenshots while we are in a video call, which will be shared with the person we are communicating with. Subsequently, the same functionality will also be extended to group calls. Group calls that have recently increased from 8 to 12 maximum users and that, Google promises, will soon allow even more people to connect simultaneously. But we don’t have any specific details on the exact number of people. Finally, on Duo it is already possible to send short video messages to a contact, also adding elements of augmented reality. These messages are automatically deleted today after 24 hours from posting, but in the future, it will be possible to keep them for remembrance.
