iPhone Duo Is Scary: Limited Supply and a Walkman App

Quick summary: Three stories in this one. Google Messages is getting native video calls over RCS, there’s a clever “Duoman” Walkman app built for the iPhone Duo, and there’s bad news on iPhone Duo supply. Apple is reportedly being extra strict on quality for its complex hinge, which could make launch stock very limited.

Key takeaways

• Google Messages is adding native video calls that check whether a contact is reachable.
• Ideally it would work across Android and iPhone, but Apple would have to allow it, and I doubt it will.
• Duoman recreates the Walkman on the iPhone Duo: open the phone to insert a cassette, close it to play.
• Apple is reportedly being extra hard on quality control for the Duo.
• The hinge reportedly has over 100 parts, and Apple tested liquid metal before changing its approach.
• Expect extremely limited supply at launch.

Google Messages native video calls

Google Messages is getting native video calling. It checks in the background whether the person on the other end is reachable via the new video connection. That means you won’t need a separate video app on your Android phone. Ideally it would work Android to iPhone and back, but Apple would have to build it in, and I doubt it will. Still, it could arrive very soon.

Duoman: a Walkman for the iPhone Duo

This app is genius. If you grew up in the ’80s like I did, Duoman gives you the full Walkman experience on the iPhone Duo. Open the Duo to pick and insert a cassette, then close it to start listening. You could build this for other folding phones, but more developers build fun apps like this for iPhone than for Android. Maybe we’ll see something similar on Android.

The scary part: limited supply

Here’s the bad news, and we’ve been hearing it for a while. Apple reportedly doesn’t want to deal with any physical issues on this phone. It wants basically every unit to be perfect, and it’s being extra strict about it. The hinge reportedly has over 100 parts and a 3D-printed cover. Apple also reportedly tested liquid metal for the hinge before reassessing its approach ahead of mass production.

Put that together and supply could be extremely limited at launch, which hurts your chances of getting one on day one. Have your pre-order plan ready.

If you’re getting one, I recommend an OhSnap SnapGrip as the best phone grip for the iPhone Duo.