Google Duo on the web doesn't need a phone number for phone calls

You can now use Google Duo on the web without needing to link your phone number. As Android Police reports, it isn't clear when Google made the change. But now you can make and take calls on the web. It doesn't seem to be fully working for G Suite accounts. You can place calls, but G Suite users can't receive them for now. If you are using a standard Google account, just head over to duo.google.com and sign in (you don't need to have a linked phone number). You will be directed to the main Duo site where you can search through your existing contacts to place either a video or audio call. As for those with a G Suite account, you'll hit a roadblock here as the site will ask you for a phone number for verification before you can proceed. 

The biggest issue you might encounter is that with email-only Duo accounts, you will not see those within your contact list who are email-only, too. You can only call them if they appear in your recent log or notifications list. Duo will also annoy you through a notification to add your phone number. But other than that, you will still be able to make and take calls. The change appears to be web-only, and the company hasn't updated the support documentation to talk about this feature yet.

Google Duo for Android gets dark mode

Google Duo is the latest Android app to receive dark mode treatment. The change was done through a server-side switch, so there's nothing for you to do. The colour scheme is similar to the grey shade used by other Google apps, and it follows the system-wide dark mode for Android 10. But there's also a way to set the theme manually, which means it's possible older versions of Android might get it, too. For now, the feature is visible on Duo v63.

Source: Android Police

Google brings disappearing photo sharing to its Duo app

Too little too late or a welcome addition? We’re going to let you decide. Google Duo is taking a cue from Snapchat and will let you send temporary photos to your contacts. Your recipient has 24 hours to view the photo before it disappears. But there are a few conditions for using this feature. You’ll need to have version 56 of the app, and you’ll need to use Android’s share menu. You can’t send images from within the app at this moment, but you will be given access to editing tools so you can scribble or draw things on your images before you send them off. As for why Google’s video calling app needs this, we can’t give you an answer. But if you want to use the feature, it’s rolling out to your devices soon.

Source: Talk Android

OnePlus adds Google Duo integration into OxygenOS Phone app

OnePlus has done its best to keep its devices as close to stock Android as possible. One of the newest features the company is introducing is a deeper integration of Google Duo into the Phone app. Google has this integration in the Pixel dialer, but since OnePlus uses its own app, the company decided to add its own take on the feature. As of OxygenOS 9.0.12 on the OnePlus 6T and OxygenOS 9.0.4 on the OnePlus 6, 5, and 5T, there will be a video button visible alongside names in your contacts as well as in the call log. OnePlus 3 and 3T will be getting the feature once the Android Pie update reaches these devices.

The inclusion came about because of the users' request. The company did a survey with OnePlus users in India and found that Google Duo ranked highest in terms of video call quality. The traditional carrier video calling feature will remain available through the option “Contact > Select contact > See all > Choose video call."

Source: Phandroid