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"The only difference seems that Duo works with phone numbers, not Google Accounts" Which is a huuuuuge difference. This is the same factor that made whatsapp s
by chetanahuja 10y ago
"The only difference seems that Duo works with phone numbers, not Google Accounts"
Which is a huuuuuge difference. This is the same factor that made whatsapp so popular on the smartphone compared to all other other chat apps that were popular at the time (including google talk) but where each system was using a different account creation/login flow on that tiny screen, Whatsapp came along and had the brilliant insight/accident of simply supporting your phone's addressbook to find you and your friends. Even facebook chat couldn't keep up with them even though facebook app was installed pretty much on every internet connected phone at the time. Rest is history.
- sidcool 10y agoYes, being tied to Google account does seem limiting, after all there are more phone numbers than Google Accounts. I have a gut feeling that one of Allo and Duo will be a success.
- Nullabillity 10y agoBut there are far more Google accounts than Allo/Duo users, and an e-mail address is far more memorable than a phone number.
- chetanahuja 10y agoEmail addresses are generally not in your phone's addressbook while phone numbers always are. Also, SMS based phone number verification is quick and easy (and completely automatic on Android without any user action required).