We will be
discussing and reviewing Google Duo video calls in this article. Google Duo is
an app made by (Obviously) Google. It has been around for a while now but it isn't
as popular as other video chat apps. You will have to convince your friends who
have probably never heard of it to download it themselves if you are interested
in using Google Duo to video chat with them.
We have had
video chatting capabilities with us for a long while now but people still
continue to struggle with the fact that with just one click of a button, you
can talk face to face with people all around the globe.
Google aimed
to change the face of the game with the Google Duo video chatting app. Google Duo
was brought out in 2016, it was meant to be the next big thing that would be
used by Android versions from 4.1 upwards. There were plans to upgrade it to
Android 6.0 later on. Google Duo
can also be used on Chrome Desktops and Laptops browsers.
Google Duo
allows users to make really high-quality video calls while using low bandwidth
networks. Phone numbers are needed to make it work, just like in popular
messenger WhatsApp. As long as the people on your contact lists have the Google
Duo app, then you can connect with them through video chats.
Some Special
Features Of Google Duo
Knock-Knock
Feature- This feature brought a little bit of excitement to the video chatting
world because of its ability to provide a brief preview of video of the caller
even before the call is received. This really cool feature is very useful in
clearly identifying who you're going to be video chatting with.
Easily
Switching Between WiFi and Cellular Data-
Google Duo's ability to maximize usage of low bandwidth networks comes
to the fore here. Even when you move from high-quality WiFi to low data
connections, your high-quality videos will still remain the same. This is nice
if you're on the move and you're switching from connections to connections.
Audio Calls
Only Allowed- Even though the description clearly states Google Duo as a video
chatting app, it also allows an only audio communication gateway. This is a
plus for people not too keen on seeing their faces on screens.
No Need Of
Google Accounts- No google account, no problem. Google Duo will work seamlessly
for you even though you don't have a google account. Phone numbers are key in
the workings of this app.
Ease Of
Usage From Google Communications Ecosystem- If you're used to using google
apps for everything ranging from Google Messenger to Google Voice, then this
app will fit right into your using abilities as a simple, yet efficient way of
video chatting.
Google's
intent in creating a simple and efficient video chatting app has led them to produce
a high-quality app but also an app that misses a few ingredients that bulkier video
chatting apps possess. Examples of
these limitations are-
Limitations
Of Google Duo App
Doesn't
Totally Work With Bad Connections- Google's claim that it can work with really
bad connections was tested and it held true but to a level. After a while, the connection
began to be a little bit scratchy under severe bad connectivity.
Unpopular
With Users- You will be hard pressed to find a friend that has heard about
Google Duos let alone use it. It has been around for years but its market saturating
energy has already faded. Not so many people use it ergo limiting its usage in
your device.
Other Video
Chatting Apps Provide More- Apart from a few eye-popping features, other video
chatting apps provide more in terms of functionality than the simple Google Duo
app.
No Way To
Reject A Call With Messages- When calls come in and you want to reject them
and say "I'm busy". It is impossible on the Google Duo App. You will
have to reject it and then text the person. This function is available on so
many other video apps, one of the reasons why it doesn't offer enough like
other apps.
It Could Be
Used For Fraud - As long as somebody gets hold of your number, they can call
you. Many fraudsters and criminals might just be catfishing online in search of
anybody who will pick up.
Google's Trend
Of Chucking In Apps After A Few Years - Going through the trend, there is a
noticeable increase in Google's discard of apps that aren't even 5 years old.
We don't know when they will let this go so reliability isn't its strong suit
especially given how poorly it is doing.
Conclusion
Give Google
Duo a try and you will not be totally disappointed (assuming you can convince
your friends to give it a try too). While it does not have popularity, its solidity
cannot be questioned. It gets the job done with a few extra features to sweeten
the deal. You might miss your old video chats but with Google Duo, you will get
high-quality seamless video chatting and little else more.
Google Duo
for desktop isn't as reliable as the app because of its limitations. They are
laid bare in laptops and desktops. It shows that Google Duo is good but severely
limited in functions. There
are rumors of improvements that might come soon, improvements such as group
calling and improved functions on laptops and desktops. These rumors, if true,
could mean that Google Duo could still be very important and exciting in the
world of video chatting. No need to chuck it off just yet, it just might turn
out to be the stone that the builders rejected.
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