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Poll results: Google Duo may be more popular than you think

AndroidPIT google duo test 7985
© nextpit

Google Duo is a video calling app, and it's been around for around a year now, competing against Skype and FaceTime. It has reached 100 million downloads, but is it actually being used? That's what we aimed to find out in our recent poll. Here are the results:

Google Duo has really been gaining popularity, but 100 million downloads in the Play Store doesn't necessarily mean 100 million active users. It's competing against giants like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Messenger and Google's own Hangouts. Can it get the edge over them with it's advantages, like the minimalist interface or the recent addition of audio calls and other features?

The poll results show that Google Duo really does have a strong following. People aren't just downloading it, they're using it as their primary way to make voice calls and video calls! In fact, 40 percent of the over 300 voters chose it as the app they use most for calling. WhatsApp came in second place with a quarter of the vote, which I expected to be higher since it's what I use most. 11 percent of respondents don't do video calls at all, which is the same number of people who still use Skype. Following apps those were Hangouts with 6 percent, 'Other' with 5 percent and FaceTime with 2 percent. In the 'Other' category, one voter commented that they prefer Wire because it doesn't require you to give your phone number and offers end-to-end encryption by default.

google duo poll results com
The results of the original poll. / © NextPit

In the future, Duo will be even better. Android O will bring picture-in-picture features so you can multi-task while on a video call. And we can only hope Google will come to their senses and merge it with Allo. There's just no sense in having two separate apps. 

How often do you use Duo? What features should Google add? Tell us in the comments! And if you haven't tried Duo yet, give it a shot!

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Jessica Murgia

Jessica Murgia
Editor

Italian editor and Android lover: with her, all the most intimate secrets of Android will be revealed! Chronic traveler, a lover of good wine and good food, Jessica is crazy for shopping and passionate about technology! What's never missing in her bag? A book, an MP3 player, her Android smartphone and an external battery!

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4 comments
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  • KM A 1
    KM A Aug 29, 2017 Link to comment

    I don't use Duo nor know anyone that does. The reason I don't use it is because I NEVER video chat on my phone. I only video chat on my tablet or laptop. And the people I video chat with are also on tablets or laptops. Until Duo is made to connect with your Google account and use it on devices other than just phones, I have no use for it and I don't know anyone else that would, either.


  • Coach Ryan Ⓥ 3
    Coach Ryan Ⓥ Aug 20, 2017 Link to comment

    Well as the article stated more people are downloading duo. I have almost 20 friends using it because it streams better than Messenger or Whatsapp.

    Ivan Enrique Gimon Terrentin


    • R.S Laurent 8
      R.S Laurent Aug 20, 2017 Link to comment

      You do have a point, i tried it when it first came out, the quality was excellent, but like i said, most people just don't WANT to download ANOTHER app to video chat with someone


  • R.S Laurent 8
    R.S Laurent Aug 19, 2017 Link to comment

    The problem with Duo isn't that it's a "bad" app, it's that there are VERY FEW people who actually USE it...................
    Add in the fact that WhatsApp, which is a much more popular platform, now has video calling as well and you've got a recipe for failure

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