Millions of Google users told major app is shutting down for good as September deadline for ‘permanent closure' revealed
Google Duo was a video and audio calling app, similar to Apple's FaceTime, Facebook's WhatsApp or Messenger and Microsoft's Skype.
1
Google Duo will be shutting down by September
Credit: Alamy
It merged with Meet in 2022 to create one entity for video calls but will soon be removed.
While the Google Duo brand officially ended in 2022, some of its features were still used under the 'Legacy calls' section in Google Meet.
The app for the latter is now showing a banner that reads, 'Meet calling will replace legacy (Duo) calling in September 2025.'
Meet calls offer a superior video call experience compared to legacy Duo calls, with features like live captions, screen sharing, raise your hand, stackable effects, cloud encryption, and more.
read more in tech
As part of the transition, some legacy Duo features won't be available in Meet.
This includes Family Mode, Moments, and Knock Knock.
AMAZON, AMAZ-OFF
It comes after news that Amazon is to shut down an app that's been used by millions of people.
There are major downsides for affected users – and you might even be owed a big refund.
Most read in Tech
Millions of people using the Amazon Appstore will be cut off in mid-August.
The closure affects anyone using the app on Android phones. Over 200 million people use the Amazon Appstore, around 1% of which come via Android gadgets.
Google reveals 'Advanced Protection' for VIPs – and you can use it too
An Amazon spokesperson told The Sun: "We've decided to discontinue the Amazon Appstore on Android to focus our efforts on the Appstore experience on our own devices, as that's where the overwhelming majority of our customers currently engage with it."
Amazon's Appstore is a rival to the default Google Play Store, letting you download apps and games. It launched on Android all the way back in March 2011.
But on August 20, the Amazon Appstore will close – and any apps downloaded from it will no longer receive updates.
That means support will end for all apps you've downloaded via the Amazon Appstore.
They may become buggy or stop work entirely, and won't be able to receive any
In an FAQ, Amazon warned that these apps "will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices".
Amazon has already begun killing the Appstore off by blocking developers from uploading new apps to it.
That change kicked in on February 20 this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
New Samsung ‘anti snatch' technology aims to stop street phone thieves
It is an attempt to tackle the unrelenting wave of phone thefts, which often see criminals grab handsets from victims' hands before running or cycling away. The anti-snatch technology works using sensors and motion detection, calculating when a phone is removed from a hand violently or unnaturally quickly. The phone can then be rendered useless to thieves. 5,850 phones were stolen in Ireland last year with only a tiny percentage recovered. The cost of annual phone theft is estimated at €3.3m, according to Gardai, with three quarters of the robberies occurring in Dublin. According to Gardai figures, the average value of a stolen smartphone is €650, with savvy thieves targeting iPhones and high-end Samsungs. Three quarters of all phone thefts occur in Dublin. Peak times for phone thefts occur at weekends, with Saturday evenings particularly prominent. However, around a fifth of phones are stolen from cars, typically on weekday afternoons and early evenings. Samsung's latest move is being rolled out on its flagship phones, including the S24 and S25, as well as its folding phones. Its One UI 7 system update is required. It says that it will make the anti-theft feature available on a wider array of budget and mid-market models. Other phone brands are also rolling out anti-snatch features. Google's Android operating system, which is available on most of the world's smartphones, recently introduced a similar function. The new feature must be activated by users of Samsung and Android phones by switching on the 'anti-theft' control in the phone's settings. On a Samsung phone, you can find this under 'settings', then 'security and privacy', then 'lost device protection', then 'theft protection'. ADVERTISEMENT Samsung has also added an updated 'identity check' safety feature in a situation where a pin number may have been guessed or otherwise obtained without the wishes of the phone's owner. This requires biometric (face scan or fingerprint) logins for any changes to security settings. The company has also introduced a security delay, where a one-hour waiting period is triggered if someone tries to reset biometric logins. The measure is aimed at giving the phone's owner time to remotely lock the stolen phone from a connected device, such as a PC or tablet. Separately, Gardai recommend several anti-theft features for all phone users, including registration of a phone's IMEI number with the user's mobile operator and strong pin numbers, biometric locks (face or fingerprint) and location-tracking features enabled.
Dublin Live
a day ago
- Dublin Live
'My new Whisper Fan has helped keep me cool through the heatwave'
As the mercury continues to soar in this heatwave, we're all on the hunt for ways to stay cool, particularly as summer approaches. Opening windows can help (if possible) provided there's a breeze, but arguably the most effective method to maintain a pleasantly cool room is with a fan. And I've managed to get hold of one that might just be the best fan I've ever used. The biggest issues with fans tend to be their noise level, which limits when and how much you can use them, and a lack of options regarding speed and airflow. My new Whisper Flex 2 fan from Duux addresses both these problems. Offering a whisper-quiet sound that makes it perfect for continuous use day and night, this smart fan also allows you to choose from a vast range of fan speeds and positions. Additionally, it comes with a remote control, app and voice control, meaning you can adjust your fan settings without even needing to be in the same room. Since it arrived, this remarkably quiet fan has been running nonstop. Given that the heatwave appears to be sticking around for a bit, this fan has been a godsend throughout the day and night. For those curious about setup, assembling this fan couldn't be simpler. The components are clearly labelled to assist during assembly, and the instructions provided are straightforward and easy to understand. I had mine assembled in less than ten minutes. (Image: Meghan Coon) The standout feature of this fan that quickly won me over is the incredibly low, almost imperceptible noise it produces while in operation. Naturally, the higher the speed setting, the more noise it generates, but it's so negligible that I've been able to sleep with it running on a high setting without realising it's still on. Without any annoying rattling or whirring sounds, this fan delivers the perfect airflow at an impressively quiet volume. When it comes to sleeping with this gem switched on, there's a specific sleep setting that's ideal for those (like myself) who prefer to sleep in complete darkness. The illuminated touchpad that allows you to control the fan from its base can be dimmed and turned off when the fan is in sleep mode, ensuring no additional light disturbs your sleep. Grab the Whisper Flex 2 from Amazon Grab the Whisper Flex 2 from Amazon Shoppers can snap up the Whisper Flex 2 from Amazon to help stay cool during the heat. €228 AMAZON GET DEAL Additionally, with the remote and the app, you can set a timer to ensure your fan doesn't run all night - perfect for those who enjoy falling asleep in a cool environment, but don't necessarily need the fan operating round the clock. As I've previously noted, this first-rate fan boasts WiFi connectivity and is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. This allows you to command the fan using your voice or utilise the convenient and straightforward Duux smart app, which enables you to modify the fan's speed, oscillation and set a timer. For those who prefer not to download the app or lack access to Google Home or Alexa, the fan comes equipped with a simple remote control and an intuitive touch panel for easy operation. (Image: Meghan Coon) My Whisper Flex 2 standing fan offers thirty speed settings, which have proven useful during this spring heatwave with fluctuating temperatures and varying breeziness. It also features a natural wind mode. The Whisper Flex 2 has several oscillation presets that allow you to direct airflow accurately around the room, ensuring you can find the perfect setting. Vertical oscillation can be set at 45° and 90°, while horizontal oscillation can alternate between 30°, 60° or 90°, allowing you to easily direct the breeze towards your bed, desk, sofa and so on. The benefits of this adaptable fan extend further, as it can easily be adjusted between a 54 cm desk/table fan and a 92cm floor-standing fan, making it versatile enough to move from your home office to your bedroom effortlessly. Weighing a mere 4.2 kg, it's incredibly lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, allowing you to shift the fan from one room to another without any hassle - plus, it comes with a convenient handle feature on the back of the fan for even easier portability. Currently, my new Whisper Flex 2 fan is available on Amazon for just over €200 here. If that is a little out of budget, there is this €40 fan availalable at Currys. Shoppers can also pick up the Whisper Quiet 2 fan from B&Q here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Smug reseller tells people to ‘stop being stupid' and quit 9-5s as he earns ‘full-time wage' flogging tat from Superdrug
A SMUG reseller has left people gobsmacked after boasting about making a 'full-time wage' through flogging tat from high-street stores. The man, who earns a living 2 A smug man has boasted about earning a "full-time wage" through reselling Credit: TikTok / @resellrepublic_ 2 The content creator shared a step-by-step process of how he earns an income - but social media uses were not impressed Credit: TikTok / @resellrepublic_ But people accused the self-proclaimed entrepreneur not only of 'ripping people off', but also described his way of earning as a 'waste of time.' Posting on social media, the content creator who posts under the username 'Resell Republic', gave an insight into how he earns cash, leaving many totally stunned. As he entered a He then advised: 'Stop being stupid, stop selling your life for a quick paycheck and watch this.' Read more Fabulous stories The bargain hunter then shared how he earns money through The process, which is completely legal in the UK, involves reselling items through The man headed straight to The reseller then confirmed: 'We've got this Most read in Fabulous As he headed to the till, he then added: 'So we've done the hard part, we've sourced the products, now we just need to purchase them - make sure you're using a rewards card to maximise your profits, and then we're gonna send them in the next box to the Amazon warehouse tonight. 'And then once that's done, I don't have to do anything else - once they sell, Amazon staff will send them out for me and I can focus on sourcing more and more products.' I've made £18k on Vinted & a hack means I don't have to hunt for bits I've sold Social media users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ It's also amassed 6,413 likes, 589 comments and 1,962 saves. If it was that easy we would all be doing it TikTok user But social media users were stunned by the man's claims and flocked to the comments to criticise his side hustle. One person said: 'Clearing out the shelves so normal people can't buy affordable things, great idea.' What is retail arbitrage and how does it work? Retail arbitrage just means reselling a product on for profit. It is completely legal in the UK, as, once you own an item, you have the right to resell it. Using an app called BuyBotGo, resellers scan items they find in the supermarket, and the app tells them how much the products are selling for on Amazon, and how many times they have been sold in the past month. The reseller will make a profit on the items by reselling them using Amazon FBA. Amazon FBA is a service that online sellers can use, where Amazon takes care of the storing, packing and shipping of your products. So all the reseller has to do is send the products off to Amazon and wait for the money to roll in. Another added: 'Basically ripping people off, nobody in their right mind would pay 18 quid for suncream!!!!!' A third commented: 'Waste of time, too much effort.' Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'If it was that easy we would all be doing it.' At the same time, one user penned: 'Now wait three years for them to sell.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
