Hi all! Our short review will tell you about the new popular application - Google Duo. You will find out how you can download and run Google Duo on your computer and whether 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. The once popular applications and services for exchanging video calls have begun to lose ground, and they are being replaced by new messengers that have their own “tricks”.
Google Duo is a new application for video calls 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 won’t be difficult. There is also a standard camera changing feature. Many have already dubbed Google Duo direct competitor to Face Time from Apple, however, as for me, Duo has a lot of advantages:
- cross-platform- Google Duo version for iOS is also available;
- high quality transmitted video (720p);
- ability to communicate under conditions weak network signal;
- encryption calls;
- auto-switching between networks (WiFi and cellular, for example);
- function knock-knock;
I would like to say separately about the last button-knock function. It was the developers who presented it as the main feature of Google Duo. Knock-Knock allows you to see the airwaves of the calling person even before you accept the call. Knock-knock can be disabled/enabled in the program settings.
Such a simple program became very popular, and therefore many users wanted launch Google Duo on your computer and make video calls directly from your desktop.
To install Duo on my computer, I used Android application emulators - Nox App Player And BlueStacks 2.
To my regret, Knox Player was unable to launch the program, citing the fact that the application was not supported.
With Bluestacks 2 everything was simpler:
After launching the application, you will be prompted to link to a phone number. I entered my number, received a code and confirmed it. The video from the web camera was displayed. 
For the computer - an excellent application for communicating with your friends. It is very simple and has an easy interface that you can easily navigate without much effort.
About the application
Google Duo for the computer is a new and very cool application for connecting with other people. Join us and enjoy comfortable communication every day. In order to download the application to your computer, you need to install a free one. It will help you download Android games and applications on any other operating system.
Tired of talking to family and friends on the phone? Do you want to keep up with the times? Then this application is what you need. Chat with other users via video and not only listen, but also look at the emotions of people close to you. This is one of the most reliable applications for online communication. The laconic interface and stylish design attracts the attention of users even more.
The new product has a number of features, each of which is responsible for a separate function. So, let's start with the interface, it is so simple that you can intuitively understand what's what. Just click on the button with the video camera icon, and then select the person you want to call at that moment. Voila, beeps go off, an image appears and now you can see and hear each other. What could be better?
More features
Another useful feature of the application for the computer is a function with the interesting name “Knock-Knock”. It allows you to see your future interlocutor until you press the “Reply” button. This will allow you to decide whether you want to talk to the person at the moment or not. In this application you will be able to use the highest quality video broadcast.
The first video communication application that works not only from a Wi-Fi network, but also from the regular mobile Internet. At the same time, in both the first and second cases, your conversations will be accompanied by high quality communication and will not be interrupted at the most interesting point. The program works on all platforms, so it's okay if your interlocutor has a different operating system. Have a nice chat!
In May, at Google I/O 2016, Google announced a new video calling service called Google Duo. Recently, applications of the same name finally appeared in the Google Play and Apple App Store catalogs, but they cannot be installed from Russia yet - the application simply does not exist in the App Store, and Google Play has regional restrictions.
To install Duo on your mobile device, iOS users must use a US Apple ID. Owners of Android smartphones just need to find the installation apk file on the Internet, having previously removed the restriction on installing applications from unknown sources in the settings.
An account in Duo is linked to a phone number, so the application works exclusively on smartphones - to activate you need to enter a code that comes in the form of an SMS. Just yesterday, when I just installed the application, nothing happened when I entered the phone number and asked for a verification code. The influx of users is taking its toll - obviously, even Google servers may not be able to cope with this, but now there are no such problems anymore.
An important point worth emphasizing is that Google Duo can only work on one device at a time. Don't expect a desktop or web version for Google Chrome. If a Google account was used for authorization, then this could be counted on; in the current implementation this is not possible.
Although Google Duo has not officially launched in Russia, the Russian language and localization are already available in the application. True, in the iOS version it let us down - the settings item responsible for limiting the use of the application on mobile networks does not fit on the screen, how the user should guess what this setting is is a mystery.
Video calls are difficult. If you've ever tried to explain to your relatives how to use Skype, you know exactly what I mean. The only service that works as transparently and understandably as possible for the average person is Apple Facetime. But it has a serious limitation - it is only available for iOS and macOS devices.
Google will again try to change the video calling market and try to occupy its niche, this time with Duo. This will be the third attempt for the Internet company, after the failure of the Google Talks and Google Hangouts services.
The first thing that catches your eye when working with Duo is the maximum minimalism of the application: no unnecessary interface elements, unnecessary menus or tips. When you launch the application, you will see a picture from the front camera, an analogue of a notebook, and a tiny menu icon that you cannot immediately distinguish.
Address Book shows all the contacts on your device. If a user is registered in Duo, their contact icon appears higher in the list automatically. The application offers to send an SMS with an invitation to the service, but does it modestly. You won't be able to send spam to your contact list by accident.
The main feature of Duo is the “Knock Knock” feature, which Google promotes in all advertising videos of the new service. Its essence is simple - as soon as you make a video call, the image from your camera begins to be transmitted to the interlocutor. He hasn't answered the call yet, but he already sees you. By the way, this only works in one direction. The caller does not see how the person picks up the phone, which is logical, otherwise one could end up in an embarrassing situation.
Knock Knock is only available for contacts you have in your address book. If a stranger calls you, you will not be able to see his image. In the settings you can completely disable this feature.
The last thing you need to know about Knock Knock is that it only works fully on Android smartphones. iOS restrictions prevent third-party apps from having full access to the lock screen, so Duo will just send a regular notification. To see the caller preview, on iOS you need to keep the application running.
At Google I/O, Google representatives said that a special data compression algorithm has been developed for Duo, which will allow video calls to be used even with a slow Internet connection. Having used the application for a couple of days, I can’t say that these statements are true - when connected to 3G networks, using Duo comfortably is problematic, but with a high-speed Internet connection there are no complaints about the quality of the picture and sound transmission.
Conclusion
Google Duo is a very simple application that even a non-technical person can figure out. This is what Google was betting on: try to create a service that ordinary people could use. Making a video call with Duo is just two clicks away - it's never been easier.
Many people criticize Google for the fact that the company produces entities. Why release a separate application for video calls when Google Hangouts already exists, which is not officially closed and will continue to develop? Personally, it seems to me that such a decision is correct. In a world where messengers have absorbed dozens of functions of third-party applications and are trying to be everything at the same time, people want something simple and understandable. In this regard, Duo is like a breath of fresh air. And even though the application can only perform one function, it does it well.
Google has released a new video calling service called Duo, which should be an excellent alternative to existing applications. How did the developers decide to distinguish themselves when creating the program? Not at all with an exciting interface or a large set of functions; on the contrary, Duo is positioned as simple and easy for any user to understand.
Google has developed a new simple and convenient service for video calls, Google Duo.
The new product also attracts attention with a number of other features related to both the content and the use of the program itself. We will take a closer look at what Google Duo iOS and Android are, how to install and use the service.
How can Google Duo attract a user?
The concept of the utility is simple - the developers set themselves the goal of creating the most convenient service for video calls, which will work on platforms and provide excellent quality of communication and video transmission.
So, the idea itself is attractive because the application can be easily mastered not only by an ordinary teenager or adult, but also by older people or, conversely, small children - if necessary, call their parents.
Therefore, Google Duo, whose release date is May 2016, has a simple interface and allows you to make a call with two clicks. Other competitors of the service cannot offer this.
To download the application, you do not need to have an email address; your entry is attached only through your mobile number. That is, there is no need for the long process of registering a new user.
This is also where the peculiarity of the program comes into play - it is only available on smartphones, and you can only use your account on one device at a time.
Another positive feature of the service is its adaptation to the Internet on Android and iOS. He can switch from the Wi-Fi connection on the go, if it is weak, and additionally use the power of the mobile Internet. In general, the application takes into account both connections and tries to provide high-quality communication as much as possible.
If there are not enough resources for excellent video quality and voice data transmission, the application will reduce the image resolution; in extreme cases, it will offer to turn off the camera. The same thing will happen if you run out. With all this, voice communication will not go anywhere, the call will not be interrupted - here we immediately remember the feature of competitor Skype, which practically does not work with a weak connection.
Now let's move on directly to how to use Google Duo apk, and at the same time consider other advantages and features of the application.
Google Duo in action
Registration on Android or iOS is performed as follows:
- When you first start, you need to go through a short registration - indicate your country and mobile number;
- Afterwards, you will be sent a message to your phone with a code that you must enter in the program to confirm your registration;
- Next, confirm four dialog boxes - requests to use audio, video with photos, access to contacts, and the ability to send messages. Naturally, allowing you to use this or that function is a matter of your personal desire. But confirming the above requests will allow you to have access to all the features of Google Duo;
- Please note that the request to access contacts and send messages is only needed to search for registered accounts and the ability to invite new people to the service.
That's all. As they say, everything ingenious is simple.
Now you can start using the application. It goes like this:
- The main menu of the program will appear in front of you - your image, the call key and three dots in the upper corner to enter the settings;
- When you press the call key, you are taken to the phone book, where contacts are collected. First of all, users who have Google Duo on iOS or Android are displayed, then all other numbers to whom you can send a message with an invitation to the application are displayed;
- To make a call, you need to press the call key and select a contact from the list. If you want, during the call you can turn off the video and leave only voice communication.
Settings and interesting features of the service
Google Duo has the following settings:
- “Knock Knock” - we will dwell on it separately;
- Ability to activate vibration during a call;
- The function of limiting mobile traffic is useful if, for example, you have expensive Internet;
- A line with your phone number, the ability to delete or replace it if you have lost or installed a new SIM card;
- Blocked numbers are an analogue of the “Black List”.
What is the Knock Knock feature?
If you are in the contact list of the user you are calling, then he will see the video from your camera even before he picks up the phone. This is a very interesting feature that can bring a lot of fun when using it.
However, it does not work on iOS devices due to the peculiarities of the system itself - it does not give permission for actions such as displaying video before picking up the phone. Perhaps over time this problem will be resolved on the platform.
Note that you can always turn it off if you wish, and if the call is made from a stranger, you will not see his image. You will only see videos of your friends. It was this function that was promoted by Google as one of the most interesting in the application, and, indeed, competitors among similar services cannot yet offer it.
So, Google Duo for iOS and Android is.
After a few minutes of refreshing my smartphone, I saw a new application called Duo. Of course, I wondered what it was? But it turns out the search giant has released a new update. After a brief acquaintance with the application, I could not help but write this article.
Step one - registration
So what is the Duo app? I found out that this is a program from Google for making video calls around the world via Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, without taking into account the tariffs of your mobile operator. The first step after launching the application will be a short registration. It looks like this: your phone will receive an SMS with an activation code, which must be entered in the dedicated field using the virtual keyboard (registration ends here).
Step two - settings:
Once launched, Google Duo will promptly ask for permission to access contacts, SMS, microphone and camera. The program will launch and configure itself automatically. But it is possible to manually edit your personal profile. To do this, you need to click the three dots (a somewhat strange menu appearance) in the upper right corner of the screen.
For those who want to know more:
A menu will appear with two items: the first is settings; the second is help and reviews. Select the first item, after which we go directly to the settings. In it you can turn on or off the vibration signal during a call, Knock Knock (thanks to this function you can immediately see who is calling, but this is only possible if the person who is calling is in the recipient’s contact list), limiting the use of mobile data, number phone, unregister a phone number (deleting an account), blocked numbers.
Step three - help and reviews:
Here you can find all the necessary information to work with the application and configure it. Google has also collected articles related to solving the problem of confirming a phone number, synchronizing contacts, sound or video.
Step four - video call:
All contacts will be synced automatically from your account. In order to start a video call, you need to click on the large round button at the bottom of the screen, select a number and the program will begin the video connection. During communication, there is a function to mute the microphone and change the front camera to the main one.
If the person you are about to call has Google Duo installed, then it will be displayed with a blue icon or photo that was set for this phone number. Accordingly, if the subscriber does not have this program, then the icon opposite him is transparent, and on the right side of the contact it says - invite. You can send an invitation to the desired subscriber in the form of an SMS with a link to this application.
Pros of Google Duo - easy to use, very fast registration, good help on using the program in the help menu and reviews (a large number of articles on solving various problems). The application weighs 7.42 MB, good video quality, and the ability to change the front camera to the main one. True, the program cannot send files and this is perhaps its only drawback. If you have any theories regarding Google Duo, please share them in the comments.
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