- Will start building its videoconferencing app, called Duo, into Android
- Video call option will appear in Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps
FaceTiming your parents and friends has become a part of everyday life for iPhone owners – and Google wants to get Android users in on the act.
The firm has revealed it will start building its videoconferencing app, called Duo, into Android.
It will allow users to start a video call with a single tap – just as they can in Apple’s iOS.
The update will allow users to start a video call directly from where you call or text message your friends, through the Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps.
‘Video calling brings you face to face with your family and friends, whether you’re in the same city or thousands of miles away,’ Google said.
‘We want to make it even easier to start a video call from your Android device, so we’re making video calling an integrated part of your phone.
‘You can now start a video call directly from where you call or text message your friends, through your Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps.
Until now, users have had to launch to Duo app to make a video call.
‘Later this year, we’ll also add the ability to upgrade an ongoing voice call to video with just a tap,’ it said.
The firm is already updating the software on first-generation Pixel, Android One, and Nexus devices, and it will also be available on Pixel 2 phones, which go on sale next week.
‘We’re working with our carrier and device partners to bring this experience to more Android devices over time,’ it said.
If you and the person you’re video calling are on a carrier that supports ViLTE video calling, your video calls will be routed through the carrier’s ViLTE service. If not, Google Duo will connect your video call to anyone with the app installed.