[UPDATE] FaceTime competition: Google launches video telephony service Duo - now also available in the PlayStore
from David Wurm 
on August 18, 2016, 22:20 pm | 1 comment
This is what the author says:
Very exciting concept. It remains to be seen whether Duo and Allo will be ahead in the Messenger category in the future.
In May, as part of the I / O from Google, a video chat app called the Duo presented together with Allo. Now it is being rolled out for the first Android users. In the next few days it should be available to everyone worldwide in the PlayStore.
Post from July 16.08: So far you could only pre-register for service, now the service is to be rolled out for everyone. On the already accessible website you can already get a first impression of the service. The service has an advantage over Skype, Facetime from Apple & Co - you only need a phone number to register, as with WhatsApp. In this case, you don't have to laboriously create an account, just enter your number and you can get started right away. However, Google has been offering a video function in Google Hangouts for a long time. But Duo should be easier to use and offer users better quality.
Update on 18.08/XNUMX: Duo is now officially available in the PlayStore for all European users. You can find the download links below.
"Knock-Knock" offers a video preview before the call
In order to be able to see the person you are talking to before the call, Duo offers a video preview. "Knock-Knock", in German "Kuckuck", shows a live preview of the caller in addition to the accept and reject buttons. So the called party can decide directly on the basis of the preview whether they want to accept or decline the video call. The app should also work with a bad data connection. Switching from mobile data to WLAN during the call should also work without interruption. Like most messenger apps in 2016, Duo is end-to-end encrypted by default.
Picture: TechnikNews / Screenshot
In addition to the video chat app, Google has also introduced the associated messenger app Allo. This should especially score through the use of special Google chatbots. The two apps should be linked to one another. It is not yet known when the Google Messenger app will be released. However, you can go here Pre-register for Allo in the PlayStore. Also has WhatsApp has planned a video function - You will see which app offers the better user experience and which ultimately has the edge. Duo should be available to all users in the next few days in the PlayStore for Android and iOS here in the App Store be available. We too from TechnikNews will test the messenger for you in the coming days.
[...] did not find that the transition from WLAN to cellular network worked properly. This is currently better with Google's video messenger Duo. The whole thing is still in beta - so far only for [...]