Google integrating Duo app with Pixel’s Contacts and Messages apps

Google is integrating Duo, its video calling app with the default dialer on Pixel smartphones. With the latest version of Google Pixel's Phone app version 13.0, Contacts app version 2.1 and Android Messages app version 2.6 respectively, users will be able to see a new video icon next to a contact's name already using the Duo app.

This icon will be seen in the call history window, next to a contact's name and even within the SMS conversation with any person already registered on the Duo app. This is the deepest integration yet of Google's social messaging app with its other mainstream services. Android Police reports that Google is also adding a new banner to explain Duo's features and the integration works similar to carrier video calls. In the case of two-way video calling enabled by the carrier, Google will default to that if you and your contact have support for the function. In case one of you have support for carrier video calling and both have Duo enabled, then Google will use Duo video calling.

Google Duo app integrated with the phone and contacts app (Source: Android Police)

To recall, Google Duo is a video/audio calling app that works across platforms and it is directly integrated with a user's mobile number. The main highlight of the service is its ability to work well even on choppy networks alongside features like 'Knock Knock.' Duo was launched last year and it crossed 5 million downloads in just one week.

Google has not yet started rolling out the integration to all users but users can manually update few apps to support the integration. Truecaller also started integrating Google Duo within its own app to support video calling function in August and this new deeper integration is a sign of Google adding even more support for Duo app.

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