Google Duo, Google's cross-platform FaceTime-style video calling app, was today updated with a new video messages feature that's designed to allow users to leave video voicemails whenever someone doesn't pick up a call.
Google says that if a person you're calling declines or misses your call, you can record up to 30 seconds of video (or voice) to send to the person. Video messages can be played in the Duo app by tapping on the sender's icon, and a quick call back can be done through the "Call now" button available after watching a video message.
All video messages will disappear one day after they were first watched, but can be saved to the iPhone's camera roll if so desired.
Sometimes, your mom isn't free for a video call at the moment you're trying to show off your culinary masterpiece. The same goes when you're trying to catch your best friend to rave about your favorite basketball team's recent win. But even if they miss your call, you shouldn't lose the opportunity to show them what you were calling about. Beginning today on Google Duo, you can leave a video message when the person you're calling can't pick up.
First introduced in August of 2016, Google Duo works on both iOS and Android devices. Users sign up with a phone number and can then place calls to any contacts who also have the Duo app installed. Google Duo, like Google Hangouts, another Google video app with a more enterprise focus, has been fairly popular since it launched.
Duo is consistently within the top 20 free apps in the Social Networking section of the U.S. App Store, and with the new release, it's sitting at the number 15 spot.
Video messaging is available today in the Google Duo apps for Android and iOS. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
How many messaging apps has Google released over the past few years and how many has it killed?
Well, there was Talk, that morphed into Hangouts. Google account required. This is their primary messaging platform. Integrated into Gmail. Accessible everywhere.Then they released their mobile-only suit, Duo (Video) and Allo (Text) that's based on phone number... no Google account required. Supposed to be for the Everyman and simple, a la WhatsApp, iMessage+FaceTime.
Then they have their slack competitor, Hangouts Chat and Meet, which is geared toward a different market (G suite clients... a la Microsoft Teams, Facebook Work, Hipchat, etc.). Shouldn't really be lumped into their other products- it's for workplaces.
I don't know which they've killed. I hope that answers your question!
Not giving Google my phone number! Why won’t they accept google account sign up?!? Makes Duo useless on iPad/iPod.
You can use it on your iPad just Google it and you’ll find out how.