8 Things you Need to Know About Google Duo Video Chat App
BY GreenBot Staff
Published 16 Aug 2016
Meet Duo
Hangouts, Skype, Facebook, and Messenger. What’s one more video chat app to add to your arsenal? Welcome to Google Duo, the video chat app announced in 2016 at its annual developer’s conference. Today Google Duo is at the top of the game. It’s available for Android phones, iPhones, tablets, computers, and intelligent displays, like the Google Nest Hub Max and Android TV. If you’re curious about what it has going for it, here’s what to know.
How to get Google Duo
No account? No problem! Duo allows you to sign up with just your phone number. Once you install it, you’ll receive a verification code via SMS to ensure that it’s you signing in.
You can theoretically sign in from any phone using that phone number if you have a phone near you to receive the verification code. However, you can’t use two phones simultaneously to make or receive Duo video calls. You’ll have to re-verify when you log back on to another phone. It feels like it was designed for a mobile phone. It’s for devices in the list mentioned above.
Windows 7 and later users. Duo is cross-platform, you can also install it on MAC devices. It’s also available for Chromebook.
How Knock Knock lets you see who is calling before you pick up.
If you’re receiving a call from your friend who is a contact, you’ll see the caller on the line before they can talk to you. Duo lets you know that the recipient can see everything you’re doing. So don’t try to pick your nose! Users leave a voice message if the video call is unanswered.
This feature only works with people in your contacts, so strangers can’t flash you. And, of course, you can disable it in the settings if you prefer. If you receive a call from a Duo user and you don’t have the App installed after the call, you will have the option to install the App.
Get Creative
Google Duo has the Family mode that lets you doodle on video calls for everyone to see and surprise loved ones with fun pictures and special effects. It can be entertaining on special occasions. Capture that special moment during a chat with a photo for your contact to view and save. Users can even share the special moment later with other listed contacts.
Perfect Overall
Google Duo overall is the perfect application for video calling. The application reception is crystal clear quality. You can invite up to 32 participants from your contact list, and it doesn’t matter what platform they use to contact you. Whether your contact is around the corner or across the other side of the country, Google Duo is a lifesaver for seeing family members in person. Still, if you are a phone network user, then data charges will apply.
You can download Duo directly from the Play Store or the App store for iOS to any device that has been mentioned in this article.
As with most applications you download on the internet users can block unwanted callers, obviously it is available on this App. So there is never a worry, remember it is you that selects the contacts.
