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ASUS brings updated chips and OLED displays to a whole bunch of devices
ASUS adds new 12th-generation CPUs and OLED displays to a whole host of its laptop lines.
You can pre-order Microsoft's Surface Duo foldable phone today
Microsoft's Surface Duo is arriving a bit early on September 10th.
OnePlus Nord will rely on Google's calling and messaging apps
The OnePlus Nord will use Google's phone and messaging apps rather than leaning on OnePlus' own.
Google adds group video calls to Duo and Meet on smart displays
This marks the first time Meet will be available on Google’s smart displays, too. These new features make Google’s smart displays more useful than before — even though you could conduct video calls on them previously, support for groups was an important feature that was missing.
Google Duo adds a 'family mode' and web-based group calls
Google Duo is adapting to the pandemic era with a family mode, group calls on the web and lots of live visual effects.
ASUS' ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 is a gaming laptop with a built-in second screen
ASUS has been pushing laptops with second screens for a couple of years now, but it's still searching for a winning formula. Last year's ZenBook Pro Duo pushed the keyboard down to the edge of the laptop's body, with the rest of the surface housing a second screen. The problem with that configuration was an awkwardly placed trackpad. But, you know who cares less about trackpad placement? Gamers. Hence, almost a year later, the company's Republic Of Gamers (ROG) division has its own spin on the concept: the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15.
Google Duo's group video limit rises to 12 people just at the right time
With many of us cooped up at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, video calls have become a rare lifeline to friends and family. To that end, Google has updated its popular Duo chat app by increasing the group video user limit from eight to 12. That'll make calls more of a party, as you join up with loved ones to share news and commiserate.
Here's everything Samsung announced at its Galaxy S20 event
After weeks of leaks, Samsung officially revealed its Galaxy S20 series at its Unpacked event today. The company also shared its next attempt at a foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip, and had a lot to say about its new camera tech.
Samsung adds Google Duo to the Galaxy S20 dialer
Samsung has confirmed rumors that its Galaxy S20 lineup will integrate Google Duo. From the dialer, users will simply tap Duo to start a video call in Full HD with 5G. And, since Duo works across operating systems, you won't be limited to who you can video chat with.
Pixel 4 will automatically screen robocalls and center your Duo videos
To keep its phones from steadily getting worse over time, Google plans to roll out bigger updates, called feature drops, to its Pixel devices. The first feature drop, rolling out this month, will bring the latest Call Screen features and improved Duo video calls to the Pixel 4. And even if you have a slightly older Pixel, the feature drop will let you add Portrait Blur to photos you've already taken.
Google is working on a low light mode for Duo video calls
Google has released the latest version of Duo, which comes with the ability to permanently delete audio and video history. And based on 9to5Google's APK teardown, it also comes with code hinting at a bunch of upcoming features, including a low light mode and a dark mode. The latter could give the app's search interface and contacts list a dark-colored design, accessible by a new "Choose them" option in settings.
Google launches Duo group video calling in 'select regions'
Google has been testing a group calling feature in Duo for the past few months, and now, it's actually live. Well, in a few countries at least. According to Duo head Justin Uberti, the feature has rolled out in "select regions", with Indonesia being one of them. It's unclear what the other countries are at this time.
Google Store lists unannounced 'Nest Hub Max' 10-inch smart display
In case you were wondering what's next in smart displays and hubs, the Google Store may have revealed the answer. As Android Police points out, a (now-removed) interactive graphic on the store's connected home page listed all the smart devices we're accustomed to along the top, however clicking on the Home Hub brought up details for something else: a "Nest Hub Max." According to the description, it has a 10-inch HD screen, a built-in Nest camera with motion and sound alerts as well as stereo speakers.
Google Duo video calls are available on the web
Google is still making good on its shift in messaging strategy -- the internet pioneer has quietly rolled out Duo audio and video calls on the web in the US. So long as you've signed in to your Google account (no phone number checks or QR codes here), you can start and receive calls while you're sitting at your PC. This browser-based version still supports creature comforts like a preview window for video chats and can adapt to different video sizes.
Heatworks' Duo carafe is instant kettle meets stylish Brita
We're all thinking it: Waiting for the kettle to boil is so 2018. But that hot minute of idly poking Insta while you await your coffee fix could be eliminated if Heatworks has anything to say about it. The company has created Duo, a "carafe" that heats water, instantly, as you pour it. It may look like a stylish Brita filter -- and filtration is part of the package -- but thanks to the graphite electrodes in its upper half, water is heated within 1°F of your desired temperature as it leaves the vessel.
Google's chat plans: Kill Allo, upgrade Duo and invest in Messages
Confirming the latest rumors, Google has formally announced a shakeup in its increasingly-splintered messaging strategy. As we'd heard earlier today, Allo is done and will go away after March 2019 (users can export their conversation history until then). It launched a little over two years ago and incubated a number of messaging features with AI, but now it's focusing on its RCS-enabled Messages app, which has already absorbed Allo features like Smart Reply, GIFs and desktop support.
Rumor claims Google Hangouts will shut down in 2020 (updated)
Stop us if you've heard this one before: there's a report that Google is considering either launching or shutting down a messaging app. 9to5Google said that based on a "source familiar with the product's internal roadmap," Google Hangouts as a consumer product will come to an end in 2020. Whether or not that holds up remains to be seen, and Google isn't officially saying anything about the app's future, but the writing has been on the wall since... forever?
Google Duo lets iPad users call their Android friends
Since Duo is supposed to replace Hangouts as your all-purpose mobile video and calling app, it's hard to believe there's been no tablet-specific version. Google just rectified that with the release of Duo versions for both iPad and Android tablets. That could entice some iOS users with Android friends to switch, as rival app Hangouts is still limited to Apple's walled garden.
Samsung's unreleased Duo charger showed up at an Amazon event
Samsung really hasn't done well keeping rumors of its upcoming Wireless Charger Duo under wraps. Initial photos of the fast-charging device were discovered last month, while images of an early release in Russia came in a few days ago. Now, according to a report at Gizmodo, Samsung's charger was left out on a shelf at an Amazon holiday press preview event.
You can now tell Google Assistant to make Duo video calls
Despite Google's best efforts, Google Assistant has often been overshadowed by its more efficient, feature-laden counterparts, such as Alexa and Siri. However, the company is taking steps to make it more intuitive, and to increase its compatibility with its own services, which many would agree should have been considered from the get-go. One such example, apparently rolling out now, is video calling on Duo.
