Google Duo has been spilling a lot of ink since the Mountain View firm formalized its availability. For the moment in deployment, the video call app competes with the giants Skype or Facebook Messenger. But does it have the ingredients to stand out. Here are 5 reasons to choose Google Duo.
Google has announced the availability of one of its new flagship applications: Duo. With Allo, it is the application that was all the rage during Google I / 0 last May.
Google Duo at first glance seems like a video calling app like any other. Many observers believe that Duo does nothing more than what we already know with Skype, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or Wire for example.
If Google Duo is not yet officially available in Your country, we were able to test it for a while by downloading the APK file. The application works perfectly in Your country, which allowed us to discern 5 elements that could make the difference with the competition.
Easy as pie
One of the great strengths of Google Duo is its ease of use. First, Duo is only available on smartphones, for the moment. The app only allows you to do one thing: two-way conversation by video interposed with people whose phone number you know.
The app is so simple that Google Vice President of Communications, Nick Fox, said right after Duo's announcement:
It's almost minimalist, in terms of functionality. What has guided us is really the simplicity.
By testing Google Duo, we looked for multiple features like those that can be found on Messenger or WhatsApp. But there is nothing. A small button to call and the list of contacts displayed.
It is simple, intuitive and efficient. For messaging uses, Google explains that the Allo application will take over. The company has in fact separated the multiple features of Hangouts to make two simpler apps. Hangouts will therefore be reserved for professionals in the future.
Des encrypted conversations
This is one of the strengths that other services highlight. Google Duo will offer to have encrypted conversations. The firm explains that no one will have access to it, not even her.
This encryption ensuring total privacy is already present in other services. WhatsApp or Wire offer this function on their respective services. Nothing new therefore for Duo but he was essential that the application is equipped with this encryption.
A phone number is enough
Like on WhatsApp, Google Duo works through a phone number. So no need to have a Google account or Gmail address. Everything goes through the phone number.
So it's simple and efficient, but it's also a way for Google to recover your phone number when you have been stubbornly refusing to give it for years.
If you want to use Duo, you can't escape it since the phone number is mandatory. This therefore means that it is impossible to use Duo without a SIM card, using only WiFi. We say that for those who intended to recycle their old smartphone or use it on a tablet.
Never interruptions
If Google Duo does not allow you to use only WiFi to work, it can use this type of connection. If you start a conversation at home while connected by WiFi to your internet box and you go out, the relay will be taken automatically by the cellular network.
Thus, the application is able to automatically switch from one connection to another without the user noticing. If you never get 4G, 3G or even 2G, the application does not stop.
If you have access to video when you have the network you can still have an audio conversation even if you do not receive 4G, 3G or 2G. Google really wanted to make a difference in the quality of calls that must not be interrupted under any circumstances by technical problems.
Knock Knock: THE real difference
Google had demonstrated this during the Google I / O. Google Duo's Knock Knock feature is the real differentiating point from the competition.
This feature actually allows you to see who is calling you on video before you even answer. Please note, this function only works with your contacts. Anyway, one wonders which stranger could call you on video directly, just like that.
This functionality therefore makes it possible to distinguish several elements concerning the caller and in particular his environment. We don't necessarily want a little chat with our sister's bawling kids. Thanks to Knock Knock we know in advance if they will be part of your conversation. We joke, we love them little ones.
In any case, the called party has the choice to answer or not and has 30 seconds to make a decision. Beyond this period of time the call is automatically refused.
Google explains that knowing in advance who is calling us and from where allows us to know more or less in what state of mind the caller is. We can thus prepare for the context of the conversation.
Android and iOS, no jealousy
As we have said, Google Duo only works on smartphones. The good news is that the app is available on Android and iOS unlike Facetime which is only available on Apple devices.
On the two versions hardly any difference except that Knock Knock only works on iOS if the app is already open. Anyway, this compatibility with the two main (if not the only truly viable) OSes on the market is a real asset for Google Duo.
Conclusion: it may not be too late
Google Duo therefore has significant advantages that make this application a solution of choice. Obviously, some features are not new but the little extras provided by Google could make the difference.
Still, the Mountain View firm has always been able to provide good services without turning them into mass solutions. We obviously think of Hangouts which is a great app messaging and calls that has never found its audience, at least in Your country.
We can also think of Google+ which is an excellent social network but for which Google has not really been able to advertise well. As a result, the network was overtaken.
We therefore do not wish Duo to meet the same fate because the service really has undeniable advantages. And Google does not seem to want to stop there since the firm has already announced that voice calls will soon be available on Google Duo.
If you have tested the application, please let us know if you liked it and if you plan to adopt it in the long term. Google Duo enters an already busy market by big names. Hopefully for Google it is not already too late.
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