Google Duo

Google Duo is a special app for communicating on video using your Google account. It’s available for most mobile and desktop platforms, making it versatile. You can download Google Duo and use it for free if you didn’t have it preinstalled on your phone.

Functionality — 4/5

Google has obviously got lost in its communication services. Duo is a dedicated app for video calling, complementing Hangouts, Google Talk, and Gmail. But does one really need to install all of these? As for Duo, it only can make voice and video calls or send video messages. Though this could have been integrated into Hangouts (and partially it is), Duo is still a better app to just talk in real time.

Design — 5/5

The app looks like the simplest video talk app ever. It shows you the preview from your front camera, and then the list of users also on Duo. Just tap any of them to start the conversation. While you’re talking, you can turn your camera on or off, switching between video and audio modes. The app is almost completely deprived of extra features, and it shows no ads.

Usability — 5/5

When you’re being called, you get notified, so you can answer with or without video, or decline the call. That’s where Google Duo follows the crowd. The difference starts when you see the one who makes the call before you even react. That’s called “Knock Knock”, and it needs to be activated in Settings, but usually it is.

It’s just as easy when you are the one who knocks. Just tap the one you want to connect to and select your desired mode. You can start a video call immediately, or start with audio only, or record a message and send it. To cut this Google Duo review short, that all the service is capable of. But it makes it at the best possible quality, and it’s well optimized for low-speed connection.

Google Duo is the optimal choice for those not wishing to master Skype or, say, WhatsApp. It’s great to set up for older or younger one, while it only tales to select the contact from the list and tap two buttons.

Cross-Platform Use — 5/5

There are Duo clients for Android (of course!) and for iOS, and, while iOS versions are different for iPhone and for iPad, Android version is unified. Besides that, there is a web interface for using on any computer and a special version for smart displays. That’s greatly corresponding with its simplicity.

In-App Purchases

None. Google Duo is completely free to use. Maybe Google takes samples of your speech to improve its voice recognition features. But, first, hardly will it identify you, second, you must have agreed to it when accepting Terms and Conditions of your Google account.

The Bottom Line

Well, Google has its own video phone app, and it’s good if you are ready to split your communication: Duo for calling, Hangouts for texting, locations, photos, and so on. If you don’t want to create other accounts than your Google one, Duo is the best option.

• Graphics 4
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Extremely simple;
Great video and audio quality;
Uses Google account with no extra settings;
Lets you see the caller before you answer.

Cons

Almost mirrors other video phone apps;
No builtin text messaging or other features;
Could have been combined with Hangouts.