Google Duo video-calling app is used to call the contacts. The users can also send invitations to their friends to download the application and dial through the app. At a time you can video chat with 12 people simultaneously. However, there are plenty of apps available to make end-to-end encrypted video calls but here we are going to discuss some facts about the Google Duo app.
- If the user is not able to make a video call then he can opt for a voice call
- You will only have to click the name of the contact to whom you want to make a video call, they will start having video call and if they do not then you can invite them for Google Duo by sharing the link
- The app can be used on smartphones and tablets
- This is a high-quality and trusted video calling app
- Duo users can leave the message for unanswered calls
Brief Introduction Of Google Duo App And Knock-Knock Feature
The new app of Google, Duo is available for both iOS and Android users. The duo is like an answer of Google for Apple’s FaceTime. The app can make calls from Android to iPhone and Android to Android. To use the app both the users should have the app on their device.
Knock-Knock is a unique feature of the Google Duo app, this feature fire up the camera to the person, whom you are calling. The caller gets a notice on his device that your video is visible. Whether the app is opened or not the Android users can see Knock-Knock, however, iPhone users can only see Knock-Knock if the app will be opened.
Users can also disable Knock-Knock if you don’t wish to pose your face while making calls. The Knock-Knock is only received from the people on your contact list. If you wish then you can also block some of the people from your contact list. The blocked person will not know that you have blocked him or her. Moreover, if the blocked person will call you he will only listen to the line ring.
Comparison Of Google Duo With Whatsapp And Hangout
Google Duo is not an instant messaging app and you can make only audio and video calls. However, other popular apps like Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, or Messenger also allow the users to send instant messages along with making calls.
The dedicated messaging app of Google is Allo that was launched along with Duo in 2016 but now it does not exist due to a lack of users. Google users can use Hangouts as an alternative instant messaging app.
As far as the calling feature of the Google Duo app is concerned, then Google Duo has some of the features that are not available in other calling apps. Most of the interesting ones are its Knock-Knock feature that we described in the above section. Through this feature the person who will call you cannot see you until you will pick the call.
Apart from this, the ability to create video/audio calls is quite different from the Duo app. You can also send audio recordings through chat, but Duo does it quite differently. When you make a call to any user and he does not answer then you can press the “Leave a Message” button, where you can decide whether you want to leave an audio or video message? Duo videos can also be spiced up the video through various effects and filters.
Google Duo lets the user send heart-like emojis to the contacts through a single tap or click. The message can also be customized with several colors and fonts. The app is ad-free so you will not see any ad while using the app. Other apps like Viber, Skype, and Messenger contain ads, so far WhatsApp does not have an ad, but this may change as well.
As far as group calling is concerned, then through Google Duo, you can call up to 12 people at a time. On the other hand, WhatsApp allows a maximum of eight, Skype allows 50, and Viber allows to add 20 people up to the maximum in a group call.
Google Duo Call Quality and Encryption
Call quality is one of the imperative features for making calls through any app. Google says that Duo is “the highest quality video calling app”, that any user can get. Duo users even have tested and found that Duo has better video calling quality in comparison to other apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, or Signal.
The colors of the video calls are more vibrant and sharp. Video does not freeze while calling and the connection is more stable. However, majorly the call quality is equally good for Skype, WhatsApp, and Duo.
Google Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted and provide total anonymity. Just like WhatsApp, Viber or Signal these calls or messages that you send to anyone will not be seen by anyone else. For Skype and Facebook Messenger, this security feature has quite a different definition.
In Skype and Messenger through end-to-end encryption is offered, but if the user is on public Wi-Fi then both Microsoft and Facebook can see the messages. Messenger and Skype users can enable end-to-end encryption by themselves.
Whether I Should Use Google Duo Or Not?
For those who are fond of instant messaging, this app may not be suitable, however, for those who want to make a quality video app, Duo can be one of the best apps. You should ultimately give it a try Duo and enjoy its unique features. Another reason to use Duo can be like you can add up to 32 participants in a group call. The app is free, so have some hands-on experience of it and download the app from Play Store.
