Google recently announced Duo voice call feature on Pixel, Nexus, and other Android phones as well. Most importantly Google has integrated video calling into Android via the Google Duo. With this one can directly initiate a video call from Android Messages, Contacts and Phone.
The Google Duo makes use of a Technology called ViLTE which in essence is an extension of VoLTE and is used to enhance the voice channel along with the video component. That being said both the users need to be using Google Duo and the feature should be supported by the device (currently only Pixel, Android One, and Nexus.)
Provided that you already have the duo configured on your device all you need to do is go to any of the three supported apps and place a video call. Google has further assured that it will be adding a new feature which allows users to switch from voice to video calls without disconnecting the app. Earlier this year Google Duo added support for the voice call. That being said for the video calls to go through you will still be required to have the Google Duo app even if you never open it.
The list of supported devices includes Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, Pixel XL and the new Pixel 2. That apart the whole ViLTE compatibility thing is unclear since both the caller and the receiver needs to be on a carrier that supports ViLTE. Also, both the contacts need to be available on ViLTE, and this puts a niche tag to the feature. However, it will be interesting to see how well Google integrates the Duo video calling into the Android devices.
Video calling is on the rise and with the ever-increasing internet penetration in developing nations like India, the future does seem to lean to the brighter side. However, on the contrary, the telcos will have to continue making a paradigm shift and better the wireless LTE offerings since its potentially going to become a major revenue channel.
Source:VentureBeat
