10 Interesting Things You Must Know about Duo, Google's New Video Calling App
When you can't meet face-to-face, your next best option is to use a video calling app, like Google’s high-quality, incredibly easy to use, 1-to-1 video calling app, Duo.
Before you go get the app and try it for yourself, here are 10 things you might want to know about it.
1. Duo is a free app for Android and iOS
Google’s Duo video calling app is available for free for both Android and iOS.
2. Google unveiled Duo months ago
Duo was among the new products that Google unveiled back in May at I/O 2016, the annual developer conference that explores the future of technology. Google explained at the time that Duo would be easy to use, that it would be fast even on slow connections, and that you’d be able to use it to reach anyone in your phonebook.
3. In one week, Duo racked up 5 million downloads
One week after Duo’s release, Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to Twitter to announce that the video calling app had been downloaded more than 5 million times.
4. Duo is only for video calls
Messaging and video calling usually go hand in hand. Not in this case. You see, Google decided to come up with two apps: Duo for video calling and Allo for messaging.
5. To get started, all you need is a phone number
As mentioned above, Duo is available for Android as well as iOS. What I haven’t mentioned is that Duo is based on your phone number. This means that you don’t have to sign into your Google account; all you need is to register your phone number and you’ll be able to reach people in your phone’s contacts list. If they don't have Duo, you can invite them to start using it.
6. Duo is incredibly easy to use
From the start, Google touted the fact that it designed Duo to be as easy to use as possible. It takes but a moment to install the app, it’s incredibly easy to register your phone number, and making a call is a simple tapping on a contact.
7. You can preview incoming video calls
Duo comes with a feature called Knock Knock, which is currently available for Android only. The cool thing about this feature is that it presents a live video preview of whoever is calling you. You can see who is calling you, while your phone is ringing.
8. Duo won’t drop calls when switching connections
Duo needs an internet connection to work, be it a WiFi connection or mobile data. I bring this up only to mention that Duo can automatically transition between WiFi and mobile data without dropping your call.
9. Video quality adjusts to changing network conditions
Duo calls are in crisp HD video (up to 720p) and audio – whenever possible. When your internet connection is spotty, Duo will automatically adjust the call quality. So whether you’re on a great or on a dodgy connection, you’ll always be able to make a video call with Duo.
10. All Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted
People who care about privacy and security will be glad to know that all Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted.
Before you go get the app and try it for yourself, here are 10 things you might want to know about it.
1. Duo is a free app for Android and iOS
Google’s Duo video calling app is available for free for both Android and iOS.
2. Google unveiled Duo months ago
Duo was among the new products that Google unveiled back in May at I/O 2016, the annual developer conference that explores the future of technology. Google explained at the time that Duo would be easy to use, that it would be fast even on slow connections, and that you’d be able to use it to reach anyone in your phonebook.
3. In one week, Duo racked up 5 million downloads
One week after Duo’s release, Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to Twitter to announce that the video calling app had been downloaded more than 5 million times.
4. Duo is only for video calls
Messaging and video calling usually go hand in hand. Not in this case. You see, Google decided to come up with two apps: Duo for video calling and Allo for messaging.
5. To get started, all you need is a phone number
As mentioned above, Duo is available for Android as well as iOS. What I haven’t mentioned is that Duo is based on your phone number. This means that you don’t have to sign into your Google account; all you need is to register your phone number and you’ll be able to reach people in your phone’s contacts list. If they don't have Duo, you can invite them to start using it.
6. Duo is incredibly easy to use
From the start, Google touted the fact that it designed Duo to be as easy to use as possible. It takes but a moment to install the app, it’s incredibly easy to register your phone number, and making a call is a simple tapping on a contact.
7. You can preview incoming video calls
Duo comes with a feature called Knock Knock, which is currently available for Android only. The cool thing about this feature is that it presents a live video preview of whoever is calling you. You can see who is calling you, while your phone is ringing.
8. Duo won’t drop calls when switching connections
Duo needs an internet connection to work, be it a WiFi connection or mobile data. I bring this up only to mention that Duo can automatically transition between WiFi and mobile data without dropping your call.
9. Video quality adjusts to changing network conditions
Duo calls are in crisp HD video (up to 720p) and audio – whenever possible. When your internet connection is spotty, Duo will automatically adjust the call quality. So whether you’re on a great or on a dodgy connection, you’ll always be able to make a video call with Duo.
10. All Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted
People who care about privacy and security will be glad to know that all Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted.
