Here's what's next for Google Duo video calling
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Surely, Google Duo is not the best-known application from Google. Overshadowed by WhatsApp, Telegram or even Facebook Messenger. And it is that Google Duo is an application specialized in video calls with which Google intends to gain a foothold in the complicated category of messaging apps. To bring the application closer to as many users as possible, Google has just updated it to version 17, although with changes visible only to certain developer users.This could be a great opportunity to see what we can find in the application and, who knows, to use it again so that it becomes an inseparable part of our daily lives.
Simply put, Google Duo promises good quality video calls. In order to keep them, the recipient must also have the app installed. In my personal case, there are few contacts that use it on a daily basis. That is why it does not finish booting.
Enhanced camera settings
One of the main novelties of version 17 of Google Duo is the one that concerns the settings of its integrated camera An essential improvement , as the camera is precisely the main tool on which the application is based. Now, in addition to having greatly optimized the image quality in video calls, Google adds several tools that will improve the video call experience. However, these enhancements are currently only available to certain experienced users.In the coming weeks the application will include them in this same version or even in a later one.
To be more specific, Google Duo has added three enhancements to the app's settings screen: color effects, exposure compensation, and white balanceWith regard to color effects, we have several Instragram-style filters with which to enhance our face and prepare it for the video call. With exposure compensation we add brightness to the scene: an option for when we are in environments that are not too bright. And with the white balance we adjust the screen image to what we are really seeing. A target on a cloudy day is not the same as one illuminated by a tungsten bulb or by the natural sun of the day.
New circular icon
If the Google Duo icon has been characterized by a somewhat peculiar shape, like a comic bubble, now it has changed its shape, to compose a homogeneous whole with the rest of the applications of the Google family . Simply, now we have a white circle that encloses the blue logo in the shape of a speech bubble that we all know. As we see in Android Police, this icon already has the necessary elements to adapt to the rest in the next Android 8 Oreo version. A version that will try to put an end to the design chaos that Android icons are now.
We don't know if with these changes in the camera there will be someone who gives this application a chance, but we really believe that it is worth it. If you want to try Google Duo, you have it in the Google Play app store, totally free.
