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.

Duo
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]

Tag: Google

Top Rated Comments

Eimantas Avatar
107 months ago
Replace "standard" with "chat app" below:

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H2SO4 Avatar
107 months ago
Is FaceTime complicated?
It is if you want it to work on Android……...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
x0vash0x Avatar
107 months ago
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.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
usamaah Avatar
107 months ago
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.
[doublepost=1471348749][/doublepost]
Anyone Else Getting this Error when downloading google duo
"The item you've requested is not currently available in the U.S. store. ?"
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.
[doublepost=1471348886][/doublepost]
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?
[doublepost=1471349005][/doublepost]
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.
[doublepost=1471349110][/doublepost]
If someone's got an android then they don't deserve a phone call.
You make your life seem so sad.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
107 months ago
Is FaceTime complicated?
No, but:

1) It's limited to Apple devices
2) Has very, very poor performance on low bandwidth
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DEMinSoCAL Avatar
107 months ago
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. :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

election results 2024 live activities

Track 2024 U.S. Election Results Live on Your iPhone Lock Screen

Tuesday November 5, 2024 5:02 am PST by
Apple News is providing Live Activities support for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, allowing iPhone and iPad users to track electoral results in real time directly from their Lock Screen. The feature is rolling out for U.S. users over the course of Election Day, November 5, providing continuous updates of the electoral count. So if you're interested, you don't need to repeatedly check...
Generic iOS 18

Everything New in iOS 18.2 Beta 2

Monday November 4, 2024 12:34 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 updates to developers, and Apple is continuing to refine the Apple Intelligence capabilities. There are also a handful of smaller features that are worth knowing about. Find My Find My has a new option to Share Item Location with an "airline or trusted person" that can help you locate something that you've misplaced....
iCloud General Feature

Here's What's New in Apple's Updated iCloud Terms and Conditions Taking Effect Next Week

Friday September 13, 2024 7:39 am PDT by
Apple has started notifying users about an upcoming revision to its iCloud Terms and Conditions, which takes effect on Monday, September 16. We compared the text of the upcoming iCloud Terms and Conditions with the current U.S. version from September 18, 2023 and identified four key changes: "Apple ID" references have been changed to "Apple Account" throughout. iCloud users must agree to ...
ipads early bf deals

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Tuesday November 5, 2024 7:02 am PST by
Black Friday is still a few weeks away, but you can already find great prices on numerous iPads, including the 9th generation iPad, 10th generation iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Of course, there is a chance that ...
ios 18 2 chatgpt plus

iOS 18.2 Beta 2 Shows Siri ChatGPT Limit, Offers 'Plus' Upgrade Option

Monday November 4, 2024 10:54 am PST by
With the second beta of iOS 18.2 that's available for developers today, Apple has further fleshed out the ChatGPT integration that's available with Siri. In the Settings app, there's now a section that shows the ChatGPT daily limit, and offers an option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan. The beta includes an Advanced Capabilities section with a "Daily Limit" reading that shows up as...
M4 MacBook Pros Thumb

M4 MacBook Pro Reviews: Processor Benchmarks Impress, New Nano-Texture Option Worth the Extra $150

Thursday November 7, 2024 6:14 am PST by
The first wave of reviews of Apple's new M4-powered MacBook Pro models were published this morning. We've collected some of the latest impressions from YouTube channels and select media outlets below. Apple last month announced the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding next-generation M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, with Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display and camera ...
early apple watch black friday

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Watch Deals

Wednesday November 6, 2024 6:33 am PST by
Black Friday is just around the corner, and Apple Watch deals have begun appearing ahead of the shopping holiday on November 29. In this article, we'll take a look at all of the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals, including the new Series 10 models. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...