New Google vid-call app

Google has released “Duo”, a simple one-to-one video calling app that runs on iOS and Android and can make calls between the two operating systems.

Duo needs just a phone number to make a connection, so is a bit of a swipe at closed calling ecosystems like Apple's FaceTime.

Google says it's designed the app to figure out when network conditions get lousy, and adjust video quality accordingly.

Another feature, dubbed “Knock Knock”, shows a little video of the caller so you can see who is trying to get in your face before agreeing to a chat. ®