After showing the sneak peek of its video calling app in May at Google I/O 2016, Google has released the Duo app for Android and iOS devices. The app will be available worldwide in the next few days.
The Google Duo app is the mobile only one-one video calling app. For Duo, you don’t need a separate account to use it, you can user your phone number and you can start a video call with one tap. Google says the app can adjust call quality based on your network condition. For example, if you get onto a poor connection, the app will drop your resolution to keep the call going smoothly. It can also automatically switch between Wi-Fi and cellular connection without dropping the call.
The Duo also has a unique feature called ‘Knock Knock’, which will let you see a live video of the person calling before you answer so that you know exactly what to expect and you can decide whether or not to answer the call.
Google also claims that the Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted for your privacy and security.
“Video calling is the next best thing to being with someone in person. We have designed the interface to be simple, easy and welcoming. In places like India, it has been designed to adapt to the network connectivity conditions. We hope to make the experience of video calling more personal, inviting easy and smooth.”
– Amit Fulay, Group Product Manager, Google.