Google announced last month that it would merge its Meet and Duo apps. We will now see the features provided by Duo in the Google Meet application. It looks like it will be a strong competitor for various applications.

Google Meet preps “stereo separation” feature

Google Duo continues to be used on mobile devices in its most up-to-date form. It will merge with Google Meet in the coming period. Some researchers discovered a feature that the app calls “binaural audio” or “stereo separation”. This information, accessed from the source codes, is also seen in the latest version of Gmail. So, we can see that the “stereo separation” feature first came to Google Meet.

9to5Google and APK Insight noticed a change. Before the merge, a new feature called “stereo separation” was discovered. 9to5Google says in an article that it wrote:

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we can see various lines of code that hint at possible future features. Remember that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. However, we’ll try to enable those closer to being finished to show you how they’ll look in case they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

<string name=”binaural_audio_switch_preference_title”>Stereo separation</string>

<string name=”binaural_audio_switch_preference_summary”>Lets you hear where people who speak are on your screen</string>

To summarise, stereo separation lets you understand where the sound is coming from during a call. In calling apps, audio is usually dispatched to both sides of your headphones or speakers. If you enable stereo separation in the Meet app, the speaker will shift the call volume left or right depending on where they appear on your screen. You can identify who is speaking more clearly in crowd group conversations.

In the merger, which is due towards the end of 2022, Google Workspace for Education users under 18 will continue to have limited access to Duo search features. Once merged with Duo Meet, users going to the web version of Duo will be directed to the corresponding site. Users will continue to use all the application features on the new site. On the Meet side, there will be no change. They will continue to use it through the same website. We are looking forward to the upcoming merger.