Google had to go and create and entirely new (video) messaging app just to move away from the overly complicated...
Google had to go and create and entirely new (video) messaging app just to move away from the overly complicated service called "Hangouts."
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to try Duo out, I'm just not sure if Google knows what they're doing. Follow me here:
Google creates Google+, including Hangouts which was rolled into the social network.
Then Google adds features to Hangouts because it's very popular. So, popular, in fact, that Google allows "on Air" Hangouts for panel discussions.
Google decides to uncouple Hangouts from Google+, turning the service into it's own app/service.
Google's Hangouts app is convoluted and cumbersome, driving many lay users from the service and into the waiting arms of Facebook, Apple and a gazillion other "mobile only" apps.
Google revamps the browser version of the service, hangouts. google.com making it truly a standalone service, divorced from Gmail, Chrome, etc.
Google announces Duo (and Allo).
Google doesn't abandon Hangouts, but does hint that it would be geared towards (Apps) enterprise clients.
Google decides to remove the "on Air" feature from Hangouts and force users over to YouTube Live, for broadcasting their video communications.
Google releases Duo. It performs a limited function of Hangouts (one on one video communications).
A feature Hangouts already has. So why a new app/service?
Google hasn't been very clear on the why in regards to Duo (or Allo, a new messaging system - also a feature Hangouts has) and it doesn't seem to be very interested in putting the word out there, preferring instead to let the adoption of the service grow organically.
So, what's Google's endgame? To compete with itself? To throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks? To challenge it's teams to constantly create "better products?"
More importantly, as a user, why would anyone commit to a Google service? People loved Reader and Google decommissioned it. People loved Talk/Chat and Google sunsetted the service for Hangouts. People have loved numerous Google services, like Wave, iGoogle or Desktop only to find Google deciding to bury those programs for other endeavors.
As an Apps user and a Google advocate, I find it hard to keep referring Google products to individuals or companies when we, as users, can't rely on any of the services being available six months from now.
Now that Google has been courting enterprise users how are they going to ensure companies don't have to change whenever Google gets a whim to terminate beloved services?
http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/16/12474996/google-duo-review-video-chat-app-launch
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to try Duo out, I'm just not sure if Google knows what they're doing. Follow me here:
Google creates Google+, including Hangouts which was rolled into the social network.
Then Google adds features to Hangouts because it's very popular. So, popular, in fact, that Google allows "on Air" Hangouts for panel discussions.
Google decides to uncouple Hangouts from Google+, turning the service into it's own app/service.
Google's Hangouts app is convoluted and cumbersome, driving many lay users from the service and into the waiting arms of Facebook, Apple and a gazillion other "mobile only" apps.
Google revamps the browser version of the service, hangouts. google.com making it truly a standalone service, divorced from Gmail, Chrome, etc.
Google announces Duo (and Allo).
Google doesn't abandon Hangouts, but does hint that it would be geared towards (Apps) enterprise clients.
Google decides to remove the "on Air" feature from Hangouts and force users over to YouTube Live, for broadcasting their video communications.
Google releases Duo. It performs a limited function of Hangouts (one on one video communications).
A feature Hangouts already has. So why a new app/service?
Google hasn't been very clear on the why in regards to Duo (or Allo, a new messaging system - also a feature Hangouts has) and it doesn't seem to be very interested in putting the word out there, preferring instead to let the adoption of the service grow organically.
So, what's Google's endgame? To compete with itself? To throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks? To challenge it's teams to constantly create "better products?"
More importantly, as a user, why would anyone commit to a Google service? People loved Reader and Google decommissioned it. People loved Talk/Chat and Google sunsetted the service for Hangouts. People have loved numerous Google services, like Wave, iGoogle or Desktop only to find Google deciding to bury those programs for other endeavors.
As an Apps user and a Google advocate, I find it hard to keep referring Google products to individuals or companies when we, as users, can't rely on any of the services being available six months from now.
Now that Google has been courting enterprise users how are they going to ensure companies don't have to change whenever Google gets a whim to terminate beloved services?
http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/16/12474996/google-duo-review-video-chat-app-launch
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