You can now send invite links for Google Duo group video calls

With more people using videoconferencing tools and apps because of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies have had to improve features to make their offerings more attractive to users. And so Google Duo takes cues from competitor Zoom by offering invite links on mobile.  

While Google now offers its more business-oriented, desktop-geared Google Meet offering to consumers, the company also needed to pay attention to Duo, which is the more mobile-friendly, consumer-focused videoconferencing app. 

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Google Duo to bring group calls to the web

Google Duo's group calls used to be limited to the Android and iOS apps, but an upcoming update will finally bring the feature to the web. The company also plans to expand the number of people that can join calls from 12 to 32. The update will also feature the new layout with the six-person square grid and a scrolling loop of other callers. The app is also getting link sharing, which means you can add people into a conversation via a link as long as they have a Google account. You no longer have to invite every contact ahead of time. 

Google Duo is also getting a new family mode, which adds fun features such as doodling, effects, and masks. It works on group calls and one-on-one conversations, too. And to prevent any accidental disconnections, you can hide the mute and end call buttons while using family mode.

Source: Google

Google Duo now supports 12 participants in video calls

Video calling services are helping us keep in touch during the coronavirus pandemic. Google Duo is hoping to help you communicate with more people by now allowing 12 people to join a group call. The app used to allow up to eight people in one call. The server-side change was announced on Twitter by Google's senior director of product & design, Sanaz Ahari. This is a significant feature update that's more useful than ever as we try to connect with our loved ones and co-workers digitally through the COVID-19 crisis.

Google Duo might get caption support for incoming video, audio

It looks like Google is planning to bring support for live text captions for incoming audio and video messages in its Duo app. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong discovered the feature and shared a screenshot that shows the video messaging app having an option to transcribe or put captions for messages sent or received.

This feature might not be that useful for Pixel 4, 3, or 3a, which all have Live Caption already. But for other Android users, this feature can mirror that ability within Google Duo. The screenshot suggests that the transcription will happen off-device instead of on-device like with Live Caption. But the option claims content won't be stored. It's unclear whether the feature would need an internet connection to work, and whether it'll be coming soon to Android and iOS. But we will be keeping an eye out for it.

Source: 9to5Google