Google Duo, the video calling app from Google, will get an audio-only mode “soon:” Google’s Amit Fulay

While we were impressed with Google Duo’s simplicity, it may have been that little bit too simplistic. But we have good news; Amit Fulay, Google Duo’s project lead said that an audio-only version will arrive on Duo “soon.”

Google’s Duo is a simple video-calling app that was announced alongside Allo, a smart messaging app. Duo is notable for its simplicity. You simply start the app, pick a contact and start a video call. There’s no registration involved.

While Duo does a remarkably good job of scaling video based on available bandwidth, one doesn’t always want to use video for communication and having an app just for video doesn’t make much sense unless everyone’s also on it. Assuming audio support is added and it’s as seamless and functional as video calling, it would be a great addition.

What about Hangouts, though? Doesn’t it do the same thing and include SMS and messaging as well? It does all of that and more, but Hangouts has not proven to be a very popular communications platform and will be tailored more towards business users than consumers.

It’ll be interesting to see if Allo and Duo become an integral part of the Android OS, replacing other messaging and calling apps entirely. If Duo is pre-installed on Android devices, it’s sure to be popular, but with WhatsApp looking all set to introduce video calling, it’s doubtful that Duo will be more relevant than Apple’s FaceTime.