Google Duo, a person-to-person video calling app, is launching today (8/16/2016)  for Android and iOS. (Available in U.S. today, rolling out worldwide over the next few days.) “Duo takes the complexity out of video calling that you can be together in the moment wherever you are,” said Google’s Justin Uberti, Duo’s principal software engineer. Google still provides a multi-user video conferencing platform, Hangouts, a separate product that is marketed as part of the Google Apps for Work productivity software suite.

All you need is a phone number

To get started, all you need is your phone number and the app.  No separate account is required–it work’s with your phone’s contacts list–so you can sign up in just a few steps. From there, you can instantly begin a video call with a single tap.

“Duo is built to be fast and reliable, so that video calls connect quickly and work well even on slower networks,” said Uberti. “Call quality adjusts to changing network conditions–when bandwidth is limited, Duo reduces the resolution to keep the call going smoothly.”

• Duo will switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data automatically without dropping your call.
• You can start your call at home and continue seamlessly even when you head out the door.
• A feature called Knock Knock lets you see live video of your caller before you answer

Photo: Google.com