
Millions of Google users told major app is shutting down for good as September deadline for ‘permanent closure' revealed
GOOGLE users have been notified that a major app will be shutting down for good by September.
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


The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I received urgent WhatsApp alert meant to save me from horror text-stealing attack – check your own messages right now
WHATSAPP is warning people to upgrade their account security to keep out fraudsters and other snoopers. I received an alert from 1 This important alert popped up on my WhatsApp Credit: Jamie Harris / The Sun Passkeys are an alternative to These rely on your face, fingerprint or a simple passcode to login. As such, passkeys can't be guessed and they're impossible to re-use too. And passwords can be leaked online - whereas a passkey can't. Read more about WhatsApp People mistakenly re-use passwords as well, because they're easy to forget. Re-used passwords make it all too easy for hackers to break into multiple of your accounts, and simple log-ins are easy to guess. Passkeys have none of these problems, making them much more secure. A number of tech companies such as Google are pushing people to switch from passwords to passkeys. Most read in Tech If your phone ends up in the wrong hands they could use it to raid your messages - and even text family to scam them out of money by pretending to be you. " We send you a registration code to confirm that you own the phone number you want to use on WhatsApp ," Meta explains. WhatsApp reveals exacty how to block one of your contacts " After registering your phone number with WhatsApp , you can choose to set up a passkey for future verification. " "You can use your fingerprint, face, or screen lock to verify it's you with a passkey. When you register, you can use the passkey instead of an SMS." How to setup passkeys on WhatsApp To start setting up a passkey on your WhatsApp account, do the following: Go to your WhatsApp Settings Tap Account Tap Passkeys Tap Create passkey (skip this step if you're on Android) Tap Continue Best WhatsApp tips and hacks Wondering how to get the most out of WhatsApp? Read on to find out about all the hidden features, tips and hacks for the social media platform... How to know if someone What does How to How to What happens when you How to What does How to use


Irish Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent recall issued for popular Amazon product over 'fire and burns' fears
Irish shoppers are being warned that a heating product sold on Amazonhas been recalled due to the risk of it causing serious harm to its owners. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced on Thursday that a safety issue has been identified with the Electric Heater 1200W Ceramic Heater Fan Heaters with 2 Heat Modes, Overheating & Tip-Over Protection, Plug in Space Heaters for Home Low Energy XH-1201 sold on the Amazon marketplace. According to Ireland's consumer watchdog, a recall has been issued on the popular heating product as it "presents a risk of electric shock, fire and burns". The CCPC said that the product failed mechanical strength testing leading to parts that can break giving access to live parts and leading to electric shock. It was also discovered that the product is not resistant to heat and fire which can lead to overheating parts potentially causing fire propagation within the appliance or to surrounding materials. This can result in fire and burns. The product also does not have the appropriate markings and instructions required under the relevant safety legislation. The number of the model affected by the recall is XH-1201, while the Amazon ASIN is B0CMCZT6QR and the manufacturer is Ikram & Sons Limited. The product was sold online through Amazon and It is understood that there are approximately 14 affected products in the Republic of Ireland. Shoppers who purchased one of these products are strongly advised to stop using them "immediately" and return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund. Customers are advised to contact Amazon to see if there are any remedies available to them. This can be done via your user account on Amazon.


The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Terrifying Google note warns billions of phone users of 5 bank-raiding texts sent by crooks ‘without fear of punishment'
GOOGLE has warned phone users of five bank-raiding texts sent by crooks. Cybercriminals are using a diverse set of tactics to prey on customers. 1 Google has warned phone users of five bank-raiding texts sent by crooks Credit: Getty It comes amid a recent Federal Trade Commission data which found that Google's reported fraud losses jumped 25% to $12.5 billion (£10.5 billion) in 2024. "Scammers are more effective and act without fear of punishment when people are uninformed about fraud and scam tactics," Google warned. Customer support scams Scammers trick customers by impersonating representatives from prominent companies. They prey on anxieties around safety and IT issues to access sensitive information. read more in tech It's important to double check the number which has called you is legitimate before proceeding with the call. Malvertizing Some scammers use fake online ads to spread malware. Google researchers say that scammers are increasingly targeting more sophisticated users, including people with valuable online assets, like crypto wallets, and social media influencers. To swat away the offers, make sure you're being extra careful when anyone offers free versions of licenced software. Most read in Tech Fake travel websites As more and more Brits book their sun-soaked getaways, criminals are licking their lips. Scammers present themselves as genuine travel agencies or hotels before offering holidaymakers package deals on summer getaways. Debit card warning after $500 vanishes from woman's bank account within minutes - why credit is safer at checkout Just make sure you're arranging your itinerary with reputable hotels and airlines. Package-tracking scams Cybercriminals are also masquerading as legitimate courier outfits and online retailers. The shameless crooks trick buyers into paying eye-watering add-on fees to speed up the delivery time. If you're expecting a package, go straight to the delivery company's site to check the status. Toll road scams With many toll roads operating a cash free system, opportunists are filling motorists' inboxes with phoney texts demanding they pay for unpaid tolls. If you think the fee demand is genuine, get in touch with the company itself before you hand over the cash. And remember not to click on links from unknown phone numbers or emails. TIME TO TRY PASSKEYS? Here's what security expert Chris Hauk, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Pixel Privacy, told The Sun... 'Passwords are both hard to remember and in most cases, easy to guess. "I would venture to say that most users (especially older users) will reuse passwords, simply because of all of the websites and apps that require sign-ins. "While password managers do help, they are at best, a stopgap measure and do not offer full-ranging security for your login information. "Passkeys offer the advantage of eliminating the need to enter an email address and password to log in. "This is especially handy when users are logging in on an iPhone or Android device. "Passkeys have multiple advantages over passwords. Passkeys cannot be shared or guessed. "Passkeys are unique to the website or app they are created for, so they cannot be used to login elsewhere like a reused password can. "Plus, passkeys cannot be stolen in a data breach, as the passkeys are not stored on the company's servers. "But are instead are a private key stored only on your device, where biometric authentication (like face ID or Touch ID) is required to use the passkey.' Image credit: Getty