The application is already available to some users

Aug 16, 2016 09:24 GMT  ·  By

Back in May, during the Google I/O 2016 event, Google presented a new video calling application called Duo. The app offers a new way of placing video calls and comes with some really intuitive features. After much anticipation, the Mountain View-based giant has started rolling out Duo on Android and iOS.

Google's Duo is a mobile-only 1-to-1 video calling app for Android and iOS. It comes with a simple interface, and the first step that users must take after launching t is to provide their phone number in order to reach people in the phone's contact list. The app doesn't require users to create a separate account or sign in with their Google address.

The application is built to work even on slower networks, as call quality can adjust depending on network conditions. In this regard, Duo can reduce the resolution if bandwidth is limited so that the call doesn't interrupt.

Google's Duo can switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data seamlessly

Duo also comes with the ability to switch from cell to Wi-Fi and vice versa, without affecting the call quality or risking the call being dropped.

In addition, Duo app boasts a Knock Knock feature, which enables users to see live video of the caller before they answer. This means that, when a call is placed, the phone's front camera activates so that the receiver can see a video of the caller.

Google also focused on privacy and security, as all Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted so that users wouldn't be concerned about the information they share inside the application.

Specifically, it uses a protocol named QUIC in Duo, which allows for better video quality compared to other applications. The company has stated that Duo is already available for download and will complete its global rollout in a few days.

Google's Duo will surely compete against Apple's FaceTime, with the former's advantage being that its app is cross-platform. In May, Google also announced Allo, but it seems that it will take some more time before the messaging application arrives.