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Apple's new iPhone Duo joins a history of products sharing the 'Duo' name
Key points
- Apple introduced the iPhone Duo, its first folding screen device.
- The iPhone Duo is not the first foldable device available.
- Multiple products, including past Apple devices, have been named 'Duo'.
- Examples include NEC TurboDuo, Google Duo, Apple PowerBook Duo, and Apple MagSafe Duo.
The New iPhone Duo
Apple recently announced the iPhone Duo, marking its entry into the folding screen device market. This device features a custom nano-texture display material designed to minimize crease visibility. While a new offering from Apple, it follows other foldable devices already released by companies like Samsung and Google.
A Shared Name: NEC TurboDuo
The 'Duo' name has appeared in the tech industry before, notably with the NEC TurboDuo. Launched in North America in 1993, this console merged the functionalities of the TurboGrafx-16 and the TurboGrafx-CD. Developed as a joint venture between NEC and Hudson Soft, it was originally released in Japan as the PC Engine Duo and was discontinued in 1995.
Google's Duo Communication Service
Google also used the 'Duo' name for its proprietary VoIP service, Google Duo, first released in 2016. This service was designed to compete with products like Skype and Zoom, offering cross-platform availability and optimization for slow mobile networks. Google Duo was eventually merged into Google Meet in 2022.
Apple's Own Duo History: PowerBook Duo
The iPhone Duo is not Apple's first product to bear the name. The Apple PowerBook Duo, introduced in 1992, was an ultraportable laptop. It was the smallest and lightest PowerBook available at the time, weighing over 4 pounds. This device minimized its size by omitting built-in ports and expansion features, requiring optional docks for peripherals.
Apple's Own Duo History: MagSafe Duo
More recently, Apple released the MagSafe Duo charger. This accessory, announced 23 years after the PowerBook Duo was discontinued, provides wireless charging capabilities.
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Reporting from
Apple announced its first folding screen device, the iPhone Duo, which is not the first foldable on the market nor the first product to use the 'Duo' name. Several past devices, including some from Apple, have previously carried the 'Duo' moniker. This analysis provides historical context for the new iPhone Duo by listing other products with the same name.