Google Inc. first introduced its simple video calling app called Duo at its I/O developers conference in May. Duo, which works exclusively on phones for 1-on-1 video calling, is finally here and is launching today on Android and iOS.

We look at how you can get started with Duo, and what features the simple video-calling app offers.

Getting started with Duo

Like the video-calling app, the sign-up process for Duo is simple. Download either the Android Duo app or the iOS app to your phone.

Open up the Duo app and it will check your phone number based on the SIM in your phone. A confirmation text will be sent and the process is complete. You can chat to any on your friend’s in your phone’s contact list, who have the Duo app on either iOS or Android.

Always stay connected

To ensure you always stay connected to your video calls, Duo is able to automatically switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data without dropping the call. When bandwidth is limited, Duo will also adjust the call quality to ensure you stay connected.

Knock Knock feature

While a video-calling app is not unique, Duo’s Knock Knock feature is, and allows you to get a sneak video preview of the person calling before you answer. The Knock Knock feature will only work for people that are already saved in your contact list, so you will not see any strangers popping up on your screen.

Tip: It is possible to block a caller on Duo, but as the app uses your phone’s contact list and not its own unique list, if you block them on Duo you will block them everywhere.  

To ensure your privacy and security remains intact, all video calls on Duo have end-to-end encryption.

The rollout of Duo on Android and iOS has started and will be available worldwide in the next few days.

At Google’s I/O developers conference, the company also released Allo, a smart messaging app for Android and iOS that has Smart Replies, an AI-based chatbot and more. However, no release date for Allo has been announced yet.

Image via: Google