Duo, is a simple video-calling service that’s available for Android and iOS today. Alongside the upcoming messaging
app Allo, it’s one of two
communication apps Google announced earlier this year at its I/O
conference.
This is Google’s version of Skype and Apple’s FaceTime, and it makes one-to-one calling between Android phones, and from Android to iPhone, very simple.
Though
both parties have to download the app to begin chatting (unlike FaceTime, which
is baked into the dialer of compatible iPhones).And while Android users will
likely enjoy using Duo to video-call all their friends, iPhone owners won’t be
able to ring up fellow iPhone users. However, it may certainly become their
go-to app when calling up a buddy who uses Android.
Features:
- ·Simple
interface
Pick a loved one and jump right in, with a simple
interface that brings video to the forefront.
- ·Knock
Knock
See the caller before you answer with Duo’s live
preview feature.
- ·High-quality
video
Experience faster and more reliable video calls
whether you’re on Wi-Fi or on-the-go.
- ·Cross-platform
Video call all your friends across Android and iOS
with just one simple app.
with just one simple app.
Duo’s unique
feature is Knock Knock,
feature is Knock Knock,
It gives you a
preview of who is calling by firing up the camera on the other end of the line.
You can see a live video feed of who’s
calling you, even before you pick up the call. Think of it as a digital
peephole, before you answer the door.
If
you’re initiating the call, you’ll see a little notice that says your video is
visible, which means the other person can see what you’re doing right at that
moment in real time.
Android users can see Knock Knock regardless of whether
Duo is opened or not (like on the lock screen). On the iPhone though, you’ll
only see it if you’re in the app. Otherwise, you’ll just get a little
notification saying someone’s calling you.
Google’s
rationale for this is that Knock Knock already gets you smiling before the call
starts.
Of course, that’s assuming you actually like/want to speak
to the other person who is on the other line.
preview of who is calling by firing up the camera on the other end of the line.
You can see a live video feed of who’s
calling you, even before you pick up the call. Think of it as a digital
peephole, before you answer the door.
If
you’re initiating the call, you’ll see a little notice that says your video is
visible, which means the other person can see what you’re doing right at that
moment in real time.
Android users can see Knock Knock regardless of whether
Duo is opened or not (like on the lock screen). On the iPhone though, you’ll
only see it if you’re in the app. Otherwise, you’ll just get a little
notification saying someone’s calling you.
Google’s
rationale for this is that Knock Knock already gets you smiling before the call
starts.
Of course, that’s assuming you actually like/want to speak
to the other person who is on the other line.
You can disable Knock Knock
Before
you worry about seeing anything
you don’t want to see from the other line, know that you can only
receive Knock Knocks from people who are already in your contact list.
You can
also block individual people from calling you. (By the way, when you block a
person on Duo, the person won’t know it. When they call, they’ll just hear your
line ring and ring continuously.)
If
Knock Knock really isn’t your thing, you can disable it altogether in Duo’s
Settings menu.
You can’t disable Knock Knock on a person-to-person basis
though, so it’s Knock Knock or nothing.
you worry about seeing anything
you don’t want to see from the other line, know that you can only
receive Knock Knocks from people who are already in your contact list.
You can
also block individual people from calling you. (By the way, when you block a
person on Duo, the person won’t know it. When they call, they’ll just hear your
line ring and ring continuously.)
If
Knock Knock really isn’t your thing, you can disable it altogether in Duo’s
Settings menu.
You can’t disable Knock Knock on a person-to-person basis
though, so it’s Knock Knock or nothing.
Duo has an
incredibly user-friendly and intuitive interface.
incredibly user-friendly and intuitive interface.
Before
you begin a call, you’ll see icons to start a video call and your recent
contacts (sorry, there’s no audio-only option).
During a call, you’ll see
yourself (in a small little circle), and icons to mute audio, switch cameras
and hang up. Video from the other line fills up your screen and that’s pretty
much it.
If you’d rather have your camera fill up the screen (for example,
you’re touring a house to the person on the other line), just tap the preview
circle and your view will switch.
What makes Duo different than Google’s
other video-calling service; Hangouts?.
you begin a call, you’ll see icons to start a video call and your recent
contacts (sorry, there’s no audio-only option).
During a call, you’ll see
yourself (in a small little circle), and icons to mute audio, switch cameras
and hang up. Video from the other line fills up your screen and that’s pretty
much it.
If you’d rather have your camera fill up the screen (for example,
you’re touring a house to the person on the other line), just tap the preview
circle and your view will switch.
What makes Duo different than Google’s
other video-calling service; Hangouts?.
- Hangouts can be used on desktops, supports messaging and group chats,
and has multiway video for collaboration (and its interface reflects these extra features) But according to Google, Duo is supposed to be way
more specialized.
Duo does one thing and one thing only: video calls on your
phone or tablet·
- Hangouts connects people through
email addresses while Duo builds your contact list by scouring your phone
directory to see who else has the app.
- And the best difference between it and Hangouts? It uses end-to-end
encryption so your data can’t be viewed from third parties or even Google
itself.
Duo works
only as well as your connection. if you have a good Wi-Fi or
data connection, the app works smoothly.