Google launches Duo to take on Apple's FaceTime, Skype

The rollout of Duo for Android and iOS starts today. To ensure privacy and security, all Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted

Tech giant Google has launched its video calling app, Google Duo, for Android and iOS users, which will compete with apps like FaceTime and Skype.

The video calling app, which was first announced by Google three months ago at its I/O developer conference, aims to take the "complexity out of video calling".

"Video calling is the next best thing to being with someone in person. We have designed the interface to be simple, easy and welcoming. In places like India, it has been designed to adapt to the network connectivity conditions. We hope to make the experience of video calling more personal, inviting easy and smooth," Google Group Product Manager Amit Fulay said in a statement.

The rollout of Duo for Android and iOS starts on Tuesday, and it will be live worldwide in the next few days. To ensure privacy and security, all Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted.

Duo allows users to connect using their phone number without a separate username/account.

Google has introduced a new feature 'Knock Knock' that allows people to see live video of the caller before they answer, helping users connect with the person even before they even pick up.

"Duo has been built to be fast and reliable, so that video calls connect quickly and work well even on slower networks.

Call quality adjusts to changing network conditions to keep you connected when bandwidth is limited, Duo will gracefully reduce the resolution to keep the call going smoothly," Google said.

For video calls on the go, Duo can switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data automatically without dropping the call.

Photograph: Reuters