Google has announced a new one-to-one video calling app for iOS and Android called Duo, which the company says aims to take the complexity and frustration out of video calling.
Users of Duo sign into the app using just their phone number and Google then sends them a confirmation text. After that, users can video call anyone in their contacts list who also have Duo installed.
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Google says Duo is built to be fast and reliable, so that video calls connect quickly and work well even on slower networks.
Call quality adjusts to changing network conditions to keep you connected — when bandwidth is limited, Duo will gracefully reduce the resolution to keep the call going smoothly. For video calls on the go, Duo will switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data automatically without dropping your call. You can start your call at home, and continue seamlessly even when you head out the door.
Apart from its simplicity, Google is heavily hyping a feature (currently limited to Android) called "Knock, Knock", where a known caller's live video can be transmitted before the receiver has answered, allowing them to reveal things on the screen to entice the person to accept the connection.
Once they do so, the video continues seamlessly, which makes video calling "more spontaneous and welcoming, helping you connect with the person before you even pick up," says Google. The company has made no mention about whether the feature will be coming to iOS - and even if it did, users would have to unlock their iPhone first before taking a call.
Google notes that Duo isn't a replacement for its other video calling app, Hangouts, which it hopes will appeal more to enterprise users as the service is further integrated into the Google Apps suite.
Google Duo is a free download that should be available on the App Store for iPhone sometime today. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Is FaceTime complicated?
It is if you want it to work on Android……...Google notes that Duo isn't a replacement for its other video calling app, Hangouts ('https://hangouts.google.com'), which it hopes will appeal more to enterprise users as the service is further integrated into the Google Apps suite.
Why does it seem that Google keeps releasing messaging platforms? What's the point of installing Duo? It has zero added benefit over HangOuts. Someone, please tell me what feature this has that isn't already available by Google itself, or others.Why does it seem that Google keeps releasing messaging platforms? What's the point of installing Duo? It has zero added benefit over HangOuts. Someone, please tell me what feature this has that isn't already available by Google itself, or others.
I enjoy Hangouts too, use it with friends especially for when many of us need to chat.However initiating a call is difficult for my parents. Dad uses iPhone and likes the simplicity of FaceTime.
Google is trying to do that for everyone with this app. Hangouts will still exist for those that use it, this can't replace Hangouts since it's completely one on one video.
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Anyone Else Getting this Error when downloading google duo
On Android it isn't available yet either, Google usually does slow rollouts even on their Play Store such that some users will see it on the store before others."The item you've requested is not currently available in the U.S. store. ?"
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yeah we all know what you're trying to say here
Knock knock isn't just for people wanting to tease their SO.If I'm getting a video call I SHOULD be able to see who is calling before I answer. The description in MR's post has the wrong focus. It isn't so the caller can tease the recipient, it's so the recipient can see who is calling before they answer.
Yes the caller's name shows up too but it's just an additional way for you to know who it is; and what if someone else is actually using the caller's phone?
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Replace "standard" with "chat app" below:
Except this isn't a chat app to compete with Hangouts, it serves a different purpose compared with Hangouts.Now Allo seems dumb, and your XKCD definitely applies to that. But again it seems Hangouts will get swallowed up by Google Apps and this is for these are for the average consumers.
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If someone's got an android then they don't deserve a phone call.
You make your life seem so sad.Is FaceTime complicated?
No, but:1) It's limited to Apple devices
2) Has very, very poor performance on low bandwidth
What's funny thing about this company is that they just keep throwing stuff on the wall and see what stick in there. They don't need an actual product to a very successful tech company. As long as they get the media attention every fake products they have people will think they are changing the world. For some reason the media and some people will always get excited everytime they announce a product that they will eventually kill in a year or two. They know how to play the game so people will keep using their search erngine and that's how they make money.
What's really funny is you don't mention if you're referring to Apple or Google! And, what you say can be said of both, so if you're trying to bash Google, it backfired. :)