Though Google is known for smashing apps , it ’s not great at communication apps . Hangouts never quite rivaled Apple ’s Messages , and its Messenger app is strictly utilitarian at best . In 2016 , Google ’s wiping the slate light and launching a two - front assault on messaging with two new apps , AlloandDuo . Today , Google fire the first salvo with its FaceTime clon , Duo .
I spent some clip facechatting Gizmodo ’s Alex Cranz , and subsequently with her hotdog , Ody . The app is stripped down to an almost nonsensical degree . Launch the app for the first time , and you ’ll see your big beautiful mugful with just a giant roundabout label “ video call . ” This brings up your stash away liaison . With the app being Modern , you ’ll have to send invites to hoi polloi you want to talk to and likely explain what the hell a “ twosome ” is .
Once they ’ve download the app , their blank picture will turn blue and float to the top of your middleman list , so you may immediately see who uses couplet .
Really the only novel / creepy feature ( depending on the position , I guess ) is Knock Knock . When calling an Android earphone ( iOS does n’t support the feature film ) , the recipient of the call can actually see your face before he or she answers . However , this feature is whole optional and can be turned off in preferences .
The app can switch between wi - fi and data point from your carrier , no job , though quality put up a tiny bit when I relied on just T - Mobile ’s internet . But I can say the quality is really skillful , I could even see the okay contingent on Ody ’s endearing , huggable , so - precious - I - want - to - crush - it fount . call are also write in code by nonremittal , which is a plus . There ’s really not much more you’re able to ask from a television call app .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIeMysX76pM
But maybe there should be . The simpleness of this app is a clean-cut departure from Hangouts , which can be a nightmare of tabs and features too overwhelming to pilot with any self-assurance . On the other handwriting , you might contend that Duo is too simple . After all , video calling apps entirely take the app store on both iOS and Android . Calling Google “ late to to the biz ” is an understatement . It ’s heavy to guess friends dedicated to one app for years would switch to Duo for … what on the nose ? I have no idea .
It does n’t assist that it ’s also just a 1:1 video chat app , so no telecasting conferencing whatsoever . That might be the cause that Google saysit ’s go to be keeping Hangoutsaround for the line folk .
But I ca n’t shake the tone that this is more of an intentionally blank canvass that Google hop-skip to cleverly build upon . It ’s worth mark that the other one-half of Google ’s next - generation communicating platform is n’t even usable yet . IfAllo ’s hope of first-rate - voguish contextual texting Pan out , and it can seamlessly integrate with Duo , they ’d be a pretty impressive business leader twain . The apps could even surpass Apple ’s Messages and FaceTime as they ’re not ( stubbornly ) confine to just one ecosystem .
But right now , Duo is n’t declare oneself anything you have n’t already seen before .
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