[illnewsthat]

This device (Surface Neo) does not have a partnership with Google. It's a Microsoft device running a flavor of Windows.

The other device they announced (Surface Duo) is Microsoft hardware running Google software (Android).

Makes sense, as it's really the only way to get into the phone market and still have an app ecosystem.

[basch]

its a very Microsoft thing to do to name a Microsoft product built on (aka extending) a Google product after a different unrelated Google Product.

If my friend has a Microsoft Surface Duo and I say "open your Duo" do I mean to unfold the phone, or open the google video calling app?

[lostmsu]

Somebody is actually using Duo the chat outside Google?

[Marsymars]

I recently started using it. It's nice because it comes with E2E encryption and is usable on desktop. Alternatives all have various limitations: Skype (no E2E encryption), Signal (no calls on PCs), iMessage (only usable for Apple users), Wire (requires additional program installation and account creation).

[pthatcherg]

I haven't used the desktop Signal app, but there appears to be one:

https://signal.org/download/

[Marsymars]

Yes, Signal and WhatsApp both have desktop apps, but they're only for text chat, neither do voice calls like their mobile counterparts.

[libso]

# of users of Duo calling app is small and tending to zero. It is laughable to think that MS would name it Duo for this negligible benefit.

[basch]

I didn't mean it as a benefit, more an ineptitude. They always name things with names already in use