Google Duo - High Quality Video Calls

This new app from Google, Duo, is a straightforward video-calling service currently available for both iOS and Android mobile. It is one of the two communication apps announced by the company in early 2016 and may be considered the answer to App Store’s FaceTime. 

Basically, the app’s main purpose is to make one-to-one video calls easy across either or both operating system platforms. While a majority of Android mobile users may enjoy using this tool to video call and chat with their friends, their iOS counterparts may not want to replace FaceTime with it. Regardless, this may be their absolute solution when contacting a buddy with an Android gadget. 

But does it have all the necessary tools to be the best communication tool for you? Read on to learn more about Duo.

Design

The app comes with an incredibly intuitive and user-friendly design. Before making any call, you can see your recent contacts and video call icons. 

While making the call, the icons for hang up, mute audio, and switch cameras, and a small circle with your video are seen on the screen. The video from the person you’re calling will fill up the rest of the screen, so you can clearly see your partner. 

You can always tap the app’s preview circle if you want to switch the view and have your image fill up the screen. 

Content and Features

The first and most attractive feature of the app is that it’s actually a free download, and it won’t cost you a dime to use it. It’s convenient, reliable, simple, and functions seamlessly on both tablets and smartphones. It features a simple interface, and you can video call with one tap. 

Additionally, Knock Knock lets you see the live video of your caller even before you answer, and you can easily disable it from the Settings menu. However, you can’t do group video calls. 

User Experience

As an Android user, you would expect to enjoy your experience with an app from Google. First, the download and installation are quite fast, and you’ll only be required to agree with the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 

Notably, slow connection and several lags have been experienced, plus the picture quality is relatively low. 
Still, the straightforward main interface is great, where making and receiving calls is quite simple. The latest version adds to the great experience with the bug fixes. 

Compatibility

This communication tool is available for both Android and iOS mobile users. It is compatible with iOS 9.0 and over, including the iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. The APK version works with Android 4.4 and above. 

Conclusion 

Frankly speaking, iPhone users will probably stick to FaceTime when communicating with each other. However, to bridge the gap between Android and iOS, Google Duo comes out as the most effective. 

With the quirky ‘Knock Knock’ feature, data encryption, and simplistic approach, the app definitely makes it much easier to say hi on either or both OS platforms.