Google Duo adds features such as AV1 codec with Corona 19

Google announced that its free video calling app, Google Duo, will add four new features as demand increases due to the spread of Corona 19 infection.

According to Google, the number of Google Duo users is over 10 million. It is said that the number of people refraining from going out due to the spread of Corona 19 has increased the call time more than 10 times than before. Among these enhancements or additions, the most important call function aims to improve quality. The Google Duo is optimizing AI to minimize audio dropouts, but in addition to this, AV1 codec will be introduced for video calls sooner or later.

AV1 (AOMedia Video 1.0) is a video codec introduced in March 2018, led by Google and Netflix. It is expected to play a big role in traffic suppression by supporting higher compression rates than HEVC H.265 and VP9.

Google also adds the ability to save photos taken during a video call directly to a smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook to share with the other party during a call. In addition, as the number of group calls has increased eight times compared to the previous one, the number of participants for Android and iOS versions has been increased from 8 to 12. However, he says he plans to increase this number further in the coming weeks.

In addition, when the other party does not respond, the number of messages left increased by 180%, and in areas where social distancing is thorough, the number is said to increase by 800%. So, if you don’t download the message so far, it has been deleted within 24 hours, but it adds a feature to automatically save it. Related information can be found here .