New: Google Duo — an app for video calls

App — Do you ever just find yourself praying for a new video calling app? Well today is your lucky day!

Google Duo is rolling out worldwide and it’s exactly that — a simple video calling app for iOS and Android.

Really, the only interesting part about Duo is its complete separation from Google’s normal account system. As Google says:

To get started, all you need is your phone number and you’ll be able to reach people in your phone’s contacts list. No separate account is required, so you can sign up in just a few steps. From there, you can instantly begin a video call with a single tap.

Like Snapchat, Duo also has a feature called Knock Knock, which will let you see a preview of the person calling you before you answer. So if that guy from the club calls you the night after you’ll be able to see whatever he puts in front of his camera. Nice!

Duo calls end-to-end encrypted and presumably you’ll be able to turn Knock Knock off, right?

When: Out now in the US. Coming to Australia in a few days.

Where: App Store // Google Play