#Google duo iphone for free
#Google duo iphone android

I’m not sure about that graceful part because when I faced a challenging network environment both the video and audio sometimes stuttered or was badly pixelated, and at its worst, momentarily froze or disappeared entirely. Either way, I could seamlessly move from Wi-Fi to cellular and back without dropping the call, and Google claims that even on slow “2G” network speeds the video can degrade “gracefully.”

#Google duo iphone android

You can also block callers you’d rather not hear from at all.ĭuo, unlike Hangouts, is designed for one-to-one calls only, not group video chat.ĭuring my tests from Android and iOS devices, both the video and audio quality of calls conformed to the quality of my network connection, excellent in a robust environment, less so when the connection was poky. Still, if you’re wigged out by the idea, you can turn the feature off. Most importantly, though, Knock Knock only works with someone in your contact list. On an Android phone you can see the Knock Knock video preview even from the lock screen on iPhone, the Duo app must already be open for the person being called to see the preview. The caller won’t know that you intentionally ignored him or her. If you’re not in the mood to talk, the Knock Knock preview will disappear after 30 seconds and the call will disconnect. Google hopes Knock Knock will make such calls feel more like an invitation rather than an interruption. adults indicated that they don’t engage in video calls because they feel it is rude. In that recent Google survey, one in six U.S. As is also standard elsewhere, you can change camera views to focus not necessarily on your own mug but rather the environment around you.Ī shortcut to initiating a call: you can tap on pictured circles representing contacts you recently spoke with.ĭuo does offer one potentially knock-out and novel feature called Knock Knock, which lets you see a live video preview of a person calling you before you answer. And you can see what you look like to the other person just as the other person can see you. Google also plans to integrate Duo into its upcoming Allo messaging app, but Allo isn’t here yet and such integration hasn’t taken place.Īs with other video calling apps, you can mute your voice. Google promotes Duo in this YouTube video. But that also means it won’t work with Android tablets or the iPad. There’s not much setup involved: the service is phone number based so you can call anyone in your phonebook who has the app. Google hasn’t made a decision yet on preloading Duo on Android phones, as is the case with Hangouts.

#Google duo iphone for free

Duo is a mobile-only service, at least for now, so what you cannot do is call a friend or colleague from or to a desktop PC or laptop, as is possible on Skype and FaceTime.īoth parties must have the Duo app, which you can grab for free from the App Store for the iPhone or the Google Play Store on Android.