You’ll soon be able to make Google Duo calls from your Google Home

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Ever wanted an in-home PA system to announce things like “Dinner’s ready!” or “Why haven’t you finished your homework?” Well, it looks like you’ll soon have your wish, thanks to Google Home smart speakers. Those will soon support two-way audio conversations using Google Duo.

Google Duo was released as a FaceTime competitor, first enabling two-way video calling on smartphones, then tablets, then web-based so almost everything else could join in, and finally, the camera-less Google Home Hub allowing incoming video but audio out. Now, thanks to Android Police, we also know that the Google Home supports two-way audio calling and that the feature is rolling out to devices.

When the Home Hub was first out, Google confirmed that two-way audio calls were possible on the smart home hub. That led many to believe that the other Google smart speakers would also support the feature and it looks like they were right.

Hey Shane, you can make Duo calls, the person you're talking to will see your profile picture!

— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) October 9, 2018

Google has quietly added the two-way audio feature for Google Duo to the Google Home smart speakers. And I mean quietly, the only place the feature shows up is in the setup routine for the Google Home.

That means you can ask your Google Home to: “Duo audio call Speaker X” once you’ve got the feature enabled on your Google Home device.

Here’s a video of it in action:

So last thing: video proof! pic.twitter.com/tGi1zqpuuG

— dee (@dee_lsb) March 1, 2019

How to check if you can use your Google Home for Duo audio-only calls:

1. You’ll need a Google Duo account, to begin with, so register one either on your smartphone, tablet or computer
2. Open the Google Home app on your smartphone
3. Tap the Account icon (bottom right)
4. Tap on the Settings item on the left-side list
5. Tap the Services tab on the header row
6. From there, tap on Voice & Video calls
7. Then on Video & Voice Apps

Look at the Availability section, at the bottom of this screen. If your Google Home or Home Mini is listed, you should be able to make Google Duo voice-only calls. If all you see is Available on Smart Displays, check back every few days as Google appears to be rolling out Duo audio-only calls for all Google Home smart speakers currently.

What do you think? Will you use the feature? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google’s Clock app can now play songs from YouTube Music or Pandora to wake you up
• You can hack in dark mode on Facebook Messenger by sending an emoji
• Apple’s long-awaited AirPods 2 reportedly coming this month
• You can now use the Google Home app to change the color of your smartbulbs
• Microsoft is looking to bolster its PC gaming presence in 2019

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.