Video Conference Calls

1. Google Duo

Can be used for Video Calls or just Voice Calls

To make a call from the App you must first search for a contact by name or phone number from your linked Contacts. If you cannot find it, it is most likely because that user does not have the Google Duo App installed on their device, in which case you can send them an invitation from the "Invite friends" button.

• Video calls, or just audio, with anyone in your contacts who already uses Duo.

• High quality audio and video: Your call’s quality automatically changes, based on your connection.

• Screen Sharing {new feature as of Q4 2020} is available for devices that can display video.

• Knock Knock: You can see a live video preview of who is calling before answering a call any contact.

• End-to-end encryption: Your calls are secure and can only be seen by you and the person you're talking with.

This is a great system for making free voice or video calls on demand [unlike Meet, Zoom etc. where meetings have to be prearranged between parties] for up to 32 people and potentially lasting for up to an incredible 25 hours which is a whole lot more generous than other communication systems.

Browsers: There is also a web based system can also be run in any browser [just visit duo.google.com] that allows connection to the above Apps or indeed to any other web user provided that they have a Google Account and are logged into it using their browser.

Smart speakers: If you have a Hub or a Smart speaker system, including the Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, Lenovo Smart Display, and JBL Link View, ] that uses the built in Google Assistant to make phone calls to anyone in your address book by simply saying

"O.K. Google Duo call your-contact-name"

or if you have a Hub or Smart Speaker with a built in display and you know that the contact has a device with a display. then simply say

"O.K. Google Duo video your-contact-name"

See TechRadar article for details of Duo, which are similar to Facetime [that is restricted to Apple iPhone and iPadOS users] and is therefore much more accessible as it is available across many platforms and now supports up to 32 users.

You can make voice and video calls to virtually anyone by using [a] their smartphone number [they will be prompted to install the App from Google Play or App Store] or by [b] just using their email address. The latter can work 'browser to browser' so you have world wide access to virtually anyone connected to the internet.

See also this Wikipedia entry that lists a lot of interesting points.

Android TV

Click here for the 9to5google page that outlines what is happening to bring Duo to this platform even though it seems it is to be wound down in a couple of years ?

Chrome Browser instead of the App

If you already have the Chrome browser on your computer you can also use the web version available at this URL.

If you do not already have the Chrome browser installed you can download it from here.

Chromecast and Google TV

Click here to see a short video that demonstrates how to use a Chromecast with Google TV device to make Duo calls featuring an Anker hub for connecting the different components.

Screen Sharing with other Duo users

Click here for an Android Central article called "How to share your phone screen on a Google Duo call" from July 2021 that might help you, or someone you know, to share screen information.

Click here for a HowToGeek article called "How to Share Your Screen using Google Duo on Android" from Nov 2020 that demonstrates the same actions.

Smart Home Speakers and Displays

Click here for the Google Support Page for making Duo calls with a smart speaker or display.

Smartphones

The smartphone Apps can be obtained from either the Android Play Store or the iOS App Store. See also Smartphone Support below.

Smartphone Support

Click here for the Google Support Page for Android or click here for the iPhone / iPad version where everything is gone through in detail, or just use the following extracts of the key points ....

Using the Android Smartphone App ...

Start a video or voice call

1. On your Android device, open the Duo app.

2. Tap a name to call.

3. Choose Video call or Voice call .

4. When done, tap End call .

If you have a Google Home device connected to your Duo account, you can call it from the app:

1. On your Android device, open the Duo app.

2. At the top of your contact list, tap Call Home.

Duo will call any Google Home device you’re signed in to, like Smart Displays using the Google Assistant.

Start a group video call

1. On your Android phone, open the Duo app.

2. On the screen, swipe up.

3. Tap Create group.

4. Choose your contacts.

5. Tap Video call .

6. Optional: When the call is done, you can name the group. Enter a name and tap Save. Everyone in the group will see the name.

Using the iPhone / iPad App ...

Start a video or voice call

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Duo app.

2. Tap a name to call.

3. Choose Video call or Voice call .

4. When done, tap End call .

Start a group video call

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Duo app.

2. On the screen, swipe up.

3. Tap Create group.

4. Choose your contacts.

5. Tap Video call .

6. Optional: When the call is done, you can name the group. Enter a name and tap Save. Everyone in the group can see the name.

2. Google Chat [ex Hangouts]

- could be phased out after the full roll-out of Meet to all users

See TechRadar article for details of this App that is available from the Android Play Store and iOS App Store.

If you prefer using a computer and already have the Chrome browser installed then all you need to do is add the Chrome browser extension.

3. Google Meet

Can be run entirely in Chrome or any modern browsers and is less vulnerable to security threats as it does not require plugins.

Available on the web at meet.google.com), or download the App to your smartphone from Android or iOS

Meetings are free and can last up to 60 minutes.

Up to 100 participants can be on a call at once, including features such as scheduling, screen sharing and real-time captioning [displaying the spoken words] that can be used for holding video meetings , virtual training classes, remote interviews, and more.

Get a single page "Cheat Sheet" Download Google Meet (PDF)

The following is an extract from this full CNET article .....

How to use Google Meet:

1. Go to meet.google.com (or, open the app on iOS or Android, or start a meeting from your Calendar as shown in this CNET review and demonstrated in see this short video clip or start a meeting directly from your Gmail screen as per this video clip.

2. Click Start new meeting, or enter your meeting code.

3. Choose the Google account you want to use.

4. Click Join meeting. You'll have the ability to add others to your meeting, too.

And that's it! Happy video chatting.

N.B. Sounds straightforward enough but does not mention Gmail integration - this could be that it was put together prior to Google's announcement but you can view Google's support document here and see a short video of the new interface here that also explains a bit about Google Chat and how to move both of the launchers icons to the top right hand side of your Gmail desktop which can make accessing them a bit easier if you prefer.

How to share files and attachments to a meeting:

Click here to see a great 5 minutes video that explains how to do things nice and clearly.

More background

The following is an extract from an endgadget article dated 29/04/2020.

You’ll soon be able to access Google Meet for free even if you’re not a G Suite customer: Starting in early May, you’ll be able to sign up for Meet as long as you have a Gmail account. Some of the features you can enjoy include the ability to create and host meetings with up to 100 participants by going to Meet’s website or using its iOS or Android app.

You’ll also be able to start and join meetings straight from Google Calendar, use real-time captions and display an expanded tile view layout. Free account meetings will be limited to 60 minutes per session, but Google won’t enforce that rule until after September 30th, giving you as much time as you need for work-from-home conferences. The tech giant says it will gradually expand Meet’s availability, though, so you may not be able to use it as the same time as everyone else. To get a notification once you can start using it, simply sign up for updates on this page.

Google already made the service’s premium features free to access for G Suite customers until September 30th. And unlike free users, G Suite customers can have up to 250 participants in a call, can live stream for up to 100,000 viewers and can record and save calls. Still, getting free access to the video conferencing service sounds useful now that most people are sheltering from home, especially after Google rolled out a gallery-like layout to make it a more viable alternative to Zoom.

The following is an extract of an Telegraph article from 29/04/2020.

Click here for details of this previously paid for web service that will soon be available directly from your Gmail desktop - announced late April 2020.

The following is a Google support document

Click here to see how it is integrated with Gmail [for existing paying G-Suite customers] and there is also a pdf download button for a single page guide called “Google Meeting Gmail Quick Start” that shows you it’s key features.

4. Skype

See Skype and the Skype site for original Microsoft product that requires more setting up.

5. WhatsApp

See WhatsApp Messenger to learn about using features of this Smartphone App including text chat, or making voice calls or full video chat. This uses your smartphones data allowance rather than your allocated minutes, so is free to use while you’re connected to Wi-Fi, or if you have unlimited data.

6. Zoom

See Zoom in this TechRepublic article “5 best Google Chrome plugins for business” where “Zoom“ is listed first as it seems to being increasing in popularity especially for business users.

See this CNET article "How to use Zoom like a pro: 13 hidden features to try at your next meeting" for some tips you may not have heard about.

There are free and paid for versions that both work in the same way by one person starting the meeting then inviting other participants to join by email. When each participant receives their email invitation they simply click the link to join the meeting. When they do this they are put 'on hold' in a waiting room and the meeting convener is alerted. As soon as the convener admits them they will appear on screen in the meeting with other participants.

The free version has no limit on the duration of the meeting when there are only two people involved, however when there are more than two meeting members the duration is limited to 40 minutes and a warning countdown starting at "5 minutes to go" is output to the convener's screen. If necessary a meeting can be extended but only by stopping the first one [disconnecting everyone] and starting another, which of course necessitates sending out invitations again.

• • • • • • • Zoom extension for Chrome download from the Webstore. This works fine in Cloudready and ChromeOS providing a dialogue to start a meeting. Other OS's running the Chrome browser also work but the interface is not as fully featured as having a operating specific client installed

            • Zoom App for Android download from the Google Play Store

            • Zoom App for iOS / iPadOS download from the Apple App Store

            • Zoom for Ubuntu [Linux Client] download and run when a 'mini-menu' will appear in the top right desktop panel.

            • Zoom for Windows download from their site, then run from your downloads folder.

If you happen to have more than one device that runs Zoom you can use both to join the same meeting using (a) different user details, or (2) the same user details in which case a 2nd video camera window will open up within the meeting and you will appear twice.

The above products all seem to be at different version levels and in the case of the Windows client there seem to be a couple of additional features [maybe this is the one that gets developed first ?] but happily they all seem to work for the main core functions.

This Zoom Quick Reference Sheet gives a 2 page overview of what things look like from a Windows screen.

Here are just a few clips to Youtube for some handy tutorials that may be of interest ....

Click here for "Zoom Tutorial: Audio and Video Setup"

Click here for "Zoom Basics - Using Zoom for Classes and Meetings"

Click here for "Zoom on your iPhone, iPad or other Mobile Tutorial"

Click here for "Screensharing in Zoom - Screen-share Tutorial"

Click here for "Zoom Video Effects - Green Screen and Background Tutorial"

N.B. When you play these you will see there are many more listed down the right hand side of the web page view.