Google is facing a major video conferencing issue

Google will not be merging its two video conferencing software program merchandise as the corporate has determined to prioritize Google Meet for enterprise customers over Google Duo for shoppers.As reported by 9To5Google which first broke the information of a merger of the 2 merchandise final 12 months, the software program large initially got down to have a single video calling service geared toward each private and enterprise customers. Following this determination, Google created a “unified team” to work on each its shopper and enterprise-focused video conferencing companies.

The endeavor was initially billed as a merger with the code identify “Duet” which 9To5Google factors out is a portmanteau of Duo and Meet (Du + et). Although the mixed workforce labored for many of final 12 months below the impression that Duo and Meet would merge, Google's curiosity in constructing a devoted video calling service for shoppers waned.Instead, the corporate shifted its focus to have Google Meet be primarily an enterprise product. This is as a result of there was not a want to construct a video calling app that works equally properly for shoppers because it does for enterprise customers.

Prioritizing Meet over Duo

Over the course of this 12 months, Google's mixed Meet/Duo workforce spent a majority of its time engaged on Meet and its enterprise options whereas Duo noticed minimal improvement.When 9To5Google reached out to the software program large relating to its upcoming plans, a firm spokesperson stated that there was “no change in our plans to continue investing in our consumer users”. Google additionally highlighted the brand new options added to Duo this 12 months which embody expanded pill and foldable gadget assist, HD display sharing, new video results, Google TV assist, enhancements to high quality and reliability and more.The greatest change to Duo this 12 months although was a refreshed UI that changed the outdated homescreen, that confirmed a reside feed from a smartphone's front-facing digital camera, with a new simplified checklist of a person's name historical past and a “New call” button. However, a related redesign was rolled out to Meet in October of 2020 which helps make the case that Meet and never Duo was the corporate's most important precedence.While Google says that it has a “rich roadmap next year for both consumers and business users”, the corporate did not develop on whether or not Meet or Duo would be the service receiving new options and upgrades subsequent 12 months.We've additionally rounded up the finest video conferencing software program and the finest online collaboration instrumentsVia 9To5Google