My Perspective
Google Duo
By Tharun Poduru
Google showed us two apps that they were working on, on stage at Google I/O 2016. The apps were slated to release in summer and people have been waiting for the apps ever since. The wait has now come to an end, atleast for one of the two apps. Google Duo, a video calling app, is now available to download for all.
The app does not require anything apart from your mobile number for it's setup.
Design
In terms of design, it has a very neat and simple design. You have your frequently contacted people on a menu which pops up when you swipe up. For all contacts to show up you can select the video call icon. The app is only meant for video calling and does not do anything else apart from that.
Call Quality and Data Consumption
The app is optimized to use less data for video calling. 'Limit data usage' is enabled by default (It can be changed in the settings). Duo is optimized to work even in poor networks and switches to an audio call in case of very poor network. Google has done a good job in maintaining video quality with low data consumption.
Knock Knock
Duo has one very interesting feature that everyone who has used the app is in love with. It’s called Knock Knock. Duo displays a live feed of the caller before the receiver picks up the call. It can be turned off in settings if not required.
Disclaimer
These are my thoughts about the product and need not be the most accurate opinion.
