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Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) owned online search engine giant Google is scheduled to unveil its new video calling app, Google Duo today that has been developed exclusively for mobile phones running on Android or iOS operating platforms.
The new app will be free to use and will compete with other video calling applications such as Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT - Free Report) Skype, Apple Inc.’s (AAPL - Free Report) FaceTime and the Messenger app from Facebook.
Knock Knock: The one differentiating factor that sets Google Duo apart from all the other video calling apps is that it has a feature called “Knock, knock” that lets the recipient have a glimpse of the person making the call even before picking it up.
However, this feature doesn’t work on an iPhone because Apple doesn’t allow access to the lock-screen and one has to manually unlock the phone before taking the call.
Simplicity: Duo has been created keeping ease of use and simplicity in mind. Therefore, it doesn’t require any account logins from its users to use its features. Just like FaceTime, it requires just a phone number to make a video call.
Automatic Network Switching: The app is compatible with both Wi-Fi as well as cellular networks and switches seamlessly from one network to the other based on the best signal strength.
Unbroken Communication: If the Wi-Fi network is weak, Duo will sense it and seamlessly switch to the phone’s cellular network. In the event, the cellular signal is low such as a 2G network, Duo will switch from video to audio automatically without cutting off the communication.
What’s Next?
Apart from Duo, Google is planning to launch its other new mobile app called Allo this summer. This app will make use of a robotic assistant that will suggest responses to text messages automatically.
Our Take
We note that Hangouts, Google’s already existing texting and video calling app, requires the users to create a Google account first. This proves to be an entry barrier for many users in the emerging markets. With the Duo requiring none of those formalities and some additional smart features such as Knock Knock, this app to gain popularity in the coming years.
Moreover, while Hangouts will continue to address the requirements of an enterprise with its group video calling features, Duo is just a simple video calling app designed to meet day-to-day requirements of consumers.
Zacks Rank
At present, Alphabet has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A better-ranked stock in the broader technology space is LinkedIn Corp. , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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Google Duo Set for Video Calling Market
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) owned online search engine giant Google is scheduled to unveil its new video calling app, Google Duo today that has been developed exclusively for mobile phones running on Android or iOS operating platforms.
The new app will be free to use and will compete with other video calling applications such as Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT - Free Report) Skype, Apple Inc.’s (AAPL - Free Report) FaceTime and the Messenger app from Facebook.
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What Sets Google Duo Apart?
Knock Knock: The one differentiating factor that sets Google Duo apart from all the other video calling apps is that it has a feature called “Knock, knock” that lets the recipient have a glimpse of the person making the call even before picking it up.
However, this feature doesn’t work on an iPhone because Apple doesn’t allow access to the lock-screen and one has to manually unlock the phone before taking the call.
Simplicity: Duo has been created keeping ease of use and simplicity in mind. Therefore, it doesn’t require any account logins from its users to use its features. Just like FaceTime, it requires just a phone number to make a video call.
Automatic Network Switching: The app is compatible with both Wi-Fi as well as cellular networks and switches seamlessly from one network to the other based on the best signal strength.
Unbroken Communication: If the Wi-Fi network is weak, Duo will sense it and seamlessly switch to the phone’s cellular network. In the event, the cellular signal is low such as a 2G network, Duo will switch from video to audio automatically without cutting off the communication.
What’s Next?
Apart from Duo, Google is planning to launch its other new mobile app called Allo this summer. This app will make use of a robotic assistant that will suggest responses to text messages automatically.
Our Take
We note that Hangouts, Google’s already existing texting and video calling app, requires the users to create a Google account first. This proves to be an entry barrier for many users in the emerging markets. With the Duo requiring none of those formalities and some additional smart features such as Knock Knock, this app to gain popularity in the coming years.
Moreover, while Hangouts will continue to address the requirements of an enterprise with its group video calling features, Duo is just a simple video calling app designed to meet day-to-day requirements of consumers.
Zacks Rank
At present, Alphabet has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A better-ranked stock in the broader technology space is LinkedIn Corp. , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>