With the popularity of Apple’s Facetime, Google has developed it’s own video calling app called Duo,
“a simple 1-to-1 video calling app available for Android and iOS. Duo takes the complexity out of video calling, so that you can be together in the moment wherever you are.”
A Google account is not required but rather a simple sign in and a phone number. One tap and you are ready to talk to friends, family and associates, if they are already in your contacts.
To prevent “choppy” or inferior quality video Duo utilizes technology to improve video quality and to counter low bandwidth “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.” Finally, Google’s end-to-end encrypted video calling is an added plus.
Google’s decision to name the app “Duo” is reflected in the fact that only two persons can interact during the call, therefore group calling is unavailable. A feature called “Knock Knock” allows a user to view a caller before he or she answers the phone. This is advantageous to the user for determining the status of the caller and whether to continue to talk to the caller.
Google’s Duo is now available in Android and iOS stores. For simple video phone chatting, Google’s Duo is an expansion of Google’s continuing effort to incorporate human communication as a vital component in it’s apps.
