Google Duo app review: simple video calling. New Android App - Google Duo Duo Android App
Google Duo— free program for communication, which allows you to make video calls from your Android phone, even with low Internet speed. The application requires binding to a phone number instead of registering a new account. Chat with friends via video call, just press the video call button and wait for the interlocutor to answer.
For those people who are too lazy to correspond in chat or communication, when you see a person more comfortable and this Duo application is intended. Video calls are made in resolutions up to HD (720p). The user's phone number acts as an identifier, which allows you to instantly synchronize your phone book with the list of contacts. You can send SMS invitations to your friends, relatives and acquaintances to join the messenger. Google Duo has a simple interface, and the Knock Knock function shows a preliminary version of the video of the caller even before he answers the call - this innovative "knock-knock" function allows you to see what the user is doing at the time of the call.
The Google Duo application has become a real hit, although it was released relatively recently, and already more than 30 million downloads, and this figure is growing every day. Duo has surpassed its counterparts and left them far behind, thanks to its non-standard functionality. It should be added that all conversations in the program are protected by reliable end-to-end encryption.
Advantages of Google Duo on Android:
- press the video call button and choose who you want to chat with;
- the function of encrypting calls is integrated;
- simple interface;
- knock-knock function, where you can see who is calling you before picking up the phone;
- high quality video;
- the program has the ability to automatically switch between WiFi and cellular network without breaking the connection;
- support for different platforms;
- synchronization with your phone book;
- sending invitations via SMS and Hangout;
- registration by your phone number.
Free download Google Duo for Android without registration and SMS from our Internet portal, by the direct link below.
Hello everyone! Our short review will tell you about a new popular application - Google Duo. You will learn how you can download and run Google Duo on your computer and if you can do it.
Modern progress does not stand still, the Internet and communications are becoming faster, and the requirements for simplicity and reliability are higher. Once popular app and services for the exchange of video calls began to give up their positions, and they are being replaced by new messengers, which have their own "chips".
Google duo is a new video calling application that can work in conditions of a weak Internet signal and uses data encryption.
Simplified Duo interface will be clear to every user - launch the application - select a contact - click on the call. In general, figuring out how to use it will not be difficult. There is also a standard camera change function. Many have already dubbed Google Duo direct rival Face Time from Apple, however, as for me, Duo has many advantages:
- cross-platform- a version of Google Duo for iOS is also available;
- high quality transmitted video (720p);
- ability to keep in touch in conditions weak network signal;
- encryption calls;
- auto-switching between networks (WiFi and cellular, for example);
- function knock-knock;
The last function of knock-knock, I would like to say separately. It was its developers who presented it as the main feature in Google Duo. Knock-Knock allows you to see the caller's broadcast, even before you accept the call. Knock-knock can be disabled / enabled in the program settings.
Such a simple program has become very popular, and therefore, many users wanted run Google Duo on computer and conduct video calls directly from your desktop.
To install Duo on my computer, I used emulators Android applications - Nox App Player and BlueStacks 2.
To my regret, Knox Player was unable to launch the program, citing the fact that the application is not supported.
With Bluestax 2, everything was simpler:
After starting the application, you will be prompted to go through the binding to phone number... I entered my number, received the code and confirmed it. The webcam video was displayed. 
1 What is this application 2 Features and capabilities 3 Setting up 4 Deleting 5 Comparison with competitors 5.1 Platform 5.2 Video calls 5.3 Calls 5.4 Messages 5.5 Interface 5.6 Ease of setup 5.7 File transfer 5.8 General impression 6 Conclusions
Google has twice tried to break into the mobile messenger niche. Examples of this are Talk and Hangouts, which have gone unrecognized. The third attempt turned out to be more successful, because a really interesting application appeared on the market. Let's take a look at Google Duo, what kind of program it is on Android and how to use it.
What is this application
Google Duo is a mobile video chat with a very simple interface. In terms of functionality, it is very similar to FaceTime from Apple.
Note! Journalist Dieter Bon noted that Duo is a fast application that is not loaded with unnecessary functions.
The developers focused on the fact that the program does not require high-speed Internet, the connection will work even with a slow connection. It does this by optimizing WebRTC and using QUIC.
WebRTC (real-time communications) is a technology designed to transmit streaming data in real time (as we see in the example of Skype, FaceTime, Duo, etc.). QUIC is a technology that allows you to receive a stable signal even with the loss of data elements (packets) by aligning the boundaries of data blocks.
Features and Capabilities
Duo has the same functionality as FaceTime for Apple products, namely:
Video calls; audio calls.
But the advantage of the Google app is that it is designed for both iOS and Android.
The main difference from FaceTime is the presence of the "Knock-Knock" function, the essence of which is that you see the interlocutor even before you answer the video call. 
Note! This function works only if the user who is calling is in the contact list of the person who will receive the call.
If you missed incoming call, a message about this will be displayed in the notification panel with the ability to call back with one click. 
Although the functionality is minimal, the blacklist is still present. A very useful function if you want to protect yourself from calls from any contact. 
Customization
The setup takes as little time as possible.
By the way, pay attention to the permissions required for the program to work properly. 
Advice! If you are very worried about your privacy, then you should refrain from installing.
On the application home screen, you can invite a user from your contact list. 
Now let's take a look at the parameters that can be configured.
Deleting
You can delete a profile from the application by clicking "Delete Duo Account" in the settings. 
Comparison with competitors
Since the program was created as an analogue of popular video chats, it should be compared in all respects with competitors, which are FaceTime, WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram. 
Note! We asked 100 people to rate each of the messengers from the side of an ordinary user. Perhaps the comparison is not entirely correct, but the comparison takes place with the user's eyes.
Platform
Cross-platform applications (created for different operating systems) are more popular than those developed for a specific operating system... The more platforms supported, the larger the audience of users. Accordingly, having an Android device, you will be able to fully communicate with the iPhone user.
Video communication
Making video calls is the main focus of Duo. The app does an excellent job with it, even with a slow internet connection. As for the competitors, they are doing great with this function too.
Calls
Regular calls in instant messengers are not popular, which is caused by the low tariffs of operators for cellular communications. It is only worth noting that each of the applications in question has this function.
Posts
Communication by means of messages is an indispensable function for a messenger application that they want to promote among users. Unfortunately, Duo does not have the ability to "chat" with the interlocutor.
Easy to set up
An important factor is the simplicity and speed of setting up the program. Users like it when the interval from download to full customization occurs with a minimum number of clicks. In this regard, each of the messengers shows a good result, but Duo managed to outperform its competitors a little.
General impression
Based on the results of the previous paragraphs, a general impression is formed. Each of the messengers has its own advantages and disadvantages. Comparing all the parameters, we get the following results:
conclusions
Summing up, it is worth mentioning an important point once again. We compared messengers, evaluating them with the user's gaze. Considering that each program has different functionality, they cannot be compared as full-fledged multimedia platforms.
After examining the results, we conclude that Google Duo is an application that will gain a good audience due to the simplicity of the interface, good optimization and convenient features. But it will be difficult to compete with popular messengers, because some of them have more functions and users who are not ready to change the used application.
What messenger do you use? Why? (Share in the comments)
Google has twice tried to break into the mobile messenger niche. Examples of this are Talk and Hangouts, which have gone unrecognized. The third attempt turned out to be more successful, because a really interesting application appeared on the market. Let's take a look at Google Duo, what kind of program it is on Android and how to use it.
What is this application
Google Duo is a mobile video chat with a very simple interface. In terms of functionality, it is very similar to FaceTime from Apple.
Note! Journalist Dieter Bon noted that Duo is a fast application that is not loaded with unnecessary features.
The developers focused on the fact that the program does not require high-speed Internet, the connection will work even with a slow connection. It does this by optimizing WebRTC and using QUIC.
- WebRTC (real-time communications) is a technology designed to transfer streaming data in real time (as we see in the example of Skype, FaceTime, Duo, etc.).
- QUIC is a technology that allows you to receive a stable signal even with the loss of data elements (packets) by aligning the boundaries of data blocks.
Features and Capabilities
Duo has the same functionality as FaceTime for Apple products, namely:
- video calls;
- audio calls.
But the advantage of the Google app is that it is designed for both iOS and Android.
The main difference from FaceTime is the presence of the "Knock-Knock" function, the essence of which is that you see the interlocutor even before you answer the video call. 
Note! This function works only if the user who is calling is in the contact list of the person who will receive the call.
If you missed an incoming call, a message about this will be displayed in the notification panel with the ability to call back with one click. 
Although the functionality is minimal, the blacklist is still present. A very useful function if you want to protect yourself from calls from any contact. 
Customization
The setup takes as little time as possible.
By the way, pay attention to the permissions required for the program to work properly. 
Advice! If you are very worried about your privacy, then you should refrain from installing.
On the application home screen, you can invite a user from your contact list. 
- Swipe up the bottom contact bar.
- Select the person to whom you want to send the invitation → "Invite".
Now let's take a look at the parameters that can be configured.
- Go to the "Settings" section.
- If you want to see the one who is calling, then go to the "Tuk-Tuk" → "On" section.
- The Traffic saving parameter will significantly reduce the cost of traffic when using the mobile Internet due to:
- deterioration in video quality;
- QUIC technology.
- By going to Blocked numbers, you can add a contact to the black list.
- The rest of the parameters are used to configure:
Deleting
You can delete a profile from the application by clicking "Delete Duo Account" in the settings. 
Comparison with competitors
Since the program was created as an analogue of popular video chats, it should be compared in all respects with competitors, which are FaceTime, WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram. 
Note! We asked 100 people to rate each of the messengers from the side of an ordinary user. Perhaps the comparison is not entirely correct, but the comparison takes place with the user's eyes.
Platform
Cross-platform applications (created for different operating systems) are more popular than those developed for a specific operating system. The more platforms supported, the larger the audience of users. Accordingly, having an Android device, you will be able to fully communicate with the iPhone user.
Video communication
Making video calls is the main focus of Duo. The app does an excellent job with it, even with a slow internet connection. As for the competitors, they are doing great with this function too.
Calls
Regular calls in instant messengers are not popular, which is caused by the low tariffs of operators for cellular communications. It is only worth noting that each of the applications in question has this function.
Posts
Communication by means of messages is an indispensable feature for a messenger application that they want to promote among users. Unfortunately, Duo does not have the ability to "chat" with the interlocutor.
| Messenger | Sending messages |
| Duo | — |
| Facetime | — |
| + | |
| Viber | + |
| Telegram | + |
Note! When comparing, it should be borne in mind that Duo and FaceTime are positioned as applications for making calls, not messaging.
Interface
A parameter indicating the ability of a product (in our case, an application interface) to be attractive and user-friendly.
Although applications differ in interface and functions, this does not interfere with objectively assessing the impression of use (usability).
| Messenger | Interface |
| Duo | 9/10 |
| Facetime | 10/10 |
| 8/10 | |
| Viber | 7/10 |
| Telegram | 8/10 |
Easy to set up
An important factor is the simplicity and speed of setting up the program. Users like it when the interval from download to full customization occurs with a minimum number of clicks. In this regard, each of the messengers shows a good result, but Duo managed to outperform its competitors a little.
| Messenger | Easy to set up |
| Duo | 10/10 |
| Facetime | 8/10 |
| 8/10 | |
| Viber | 8/10 |
| Telegram | 9/10 |
File transfer
Messengers have succeeded in replacing Bluetooth as a technology for transferring files. High speed internet allows you to transfer large amounts of data in a short period of time. Therefore, the ability to transfer files is an important parameter that is indispensable in instant messengers.
General impression
Based on the results of the previous paragraphs, a general impression is formed. Each of the messengers has its own advantages and disadvantages. Comparing all the parameters, we get the following results:
conclusions
Summing up, it is worth mentioning an important point once again. We compared messengers, evaluating them with the user's gaze. Considering that each program has different functionality, they cannot be compared as full-fledged multimedia platforms.
| Duo | Facetime | Viber | Telegram | ||
| Platform | iOS / Android | iOS | iOS / Android / PC | iOS / Android / PC | iOS / Android / PC |
| Video communication | + | + | + | + | + |
| Calls | + | + | + | + | + |
| Posts | — | — | + | + | + |
| Interface | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Easy to set up | 10/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| File transfer | — | — | + | + | + |
| General impression | 9/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Number of downloads (Play Store) | 100 million | — | 1 billion | 500 million | 100 million |
After examining the results, we conclude that Google Duo is an application that will gain a good audience due to the simplicity of the interface, good optimization and convenient features. But it will be difficult to compete with popular messengers, because some of them have more functions and users who are not ready to change the used application.
Google Duo- This application has already become a hit, although it came out quite recently, it not only surpassed its counterparts, but literally left them far behind. All this is due to its non-standard functionality. While other video calling apps show two people at once, this app has a Knock-Knock feature. This is such a knock on the door, namely at the moment of the call, the person who receives the call can see what the caller is doing while the caller does not see anything. And so you can decide whether to accept the challenge or not.
Peculiarities:
- Simple interface - Press the video call button and choose who you want to chat with. Nothing extra!
- "Knock-Knock" function - You can literally see who is calling you, even before picking up the phone.
- High video quality - It doesn't matter if you are using Wi-Fi or Mobile Internet- the connection will always be of high quality, and the call will not be interrupted.
- Multiple Platform Support - A friend has a smartphone with a different OS? No problem! The app is available on all mobile platforms.
Download video calling app - Google Duo for Android you can follow the link below.
Developer: Google Inc.
Platform: Android 4.1 and above
Interface language: Russian (RUS)
Condition: Free
Root: Not needed
