During Google I/O 2016, the Internet giant introduced a new app called Google Duo. It is basically a simple video calling app which will compete with likes of other popular apps with similar functionality such as Skype, Viber and Apple’s FaceTime. While Google Duo was introduced a few months back, Google recently started rolling out the app globally and the roll out completed today. Not only has the roll out been successful, Google Duo has already made an achievement, the app taking the top spot in the free app category on the Google Play store.
Less than a week after the roll out began, Google Duo is topping the free apps chart in the Google Play US store. It is above other popular free apps such as Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and YouTube. In India, the new app has taken the lead in the “Top New Free” and “Trending” categories while it sits in sixth position in the “Top Free” category. It lags behind WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, ShareIt, Facebook and UC Browser. Google Duo is not only topping the charts in the Google Play store as it is also dominating Apple’s App Store, well at least that is the case in India. In the India App Store, Google Duo is in the lead in the free app section, with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and other popular apps falling behind it.
Google Duo is a pretty nifty video calling app which features quite a number of interesting features. For starters, it is end-to-end encrypted for added security. While many social apps come with end-to-end encryption these days, it is a feature which is still appreciated. Google Duo also comes with a new “Knock Knock” feature. When a call comes in, you’ll get a real-time peek of the other party but without audio. Depending on the situation, this could better prepare you for the call or prompt you to answer the call spontaneously. Google also claims that its new app will work even when network strength is spotty. The app adjusts the quality of the video automatically when the network strength is low, to ensure the conversation will not experience any interference. Google Duo can be downloaded from the Google Play store via the banner down below.