Google's Duo voice chat app is about to become Android's FaceTime
The standalone app will be integrated on Pixel, Nexus and Android One to start.
When Google's standalone video calling app Duo came out last year, we wondered if it would become another niche app, a flash in the pan. Why do we need another communication app in a crowded market? Today's news shows us that we can't always be right, as Google takes the first steps to integrating Duo into its Android operating system, much like Apple's FaceTime is an integral part of iOS.
According to a Google blog post, the company is rolling out integrated video calling to first-generation Pixel, Android One and Nexus devices. It will also show up on the Pixel 2. "We're working with our carrier and device partners to bring this experience to more Android devices over time," wrote product manager Jan Jedrzejowicz. If you (and the call recipient) have a carrier that supports ViLTE, your video calls will go through that service. If not, Duo will connect you to anyone with the app installed.
