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Johannesburg - Google officially unveiled its latest video-calling app 'Duo' on Tuesday, but the global launch has left some South Africans scratching their heads over whether they could download the app.
In a statement, Google said that the app had gone live on Tuesday in app stores globally, including in South Africa. The app is available for Android and iOS users.
However, numerous attempts by Fin24 on Tuesday morning to download the app on several smartphones showed that Duo was not yet fully ready for South Africans.
Fin24 was presented with a “Pre-register” button appearing in place of “Install” in the Google Play Store.
Have you been able to download and use Duo? Tell us your thoughts on the app by clicking here.
Google South Africa said that while the app had been launched globally, “it would be rolled-out to other countries over the next few days”.
This means that some locals might be able to download the app on Tuesday while others might have to wait.
To rival apps like Skype, Duo works from smartphones and offers users one-on-one video calling without the need to sign up through a Google Account but rather making use of a mobile number.
Duo is different from Google’s already existing video-calling capable app, Hangouts, as it is based solely on mobile and developed from entirely new code.
To download the app, a Gmail address will be needed to access the Play store.
Duo’s Knock Knock feature also offers users the ability to preview incoming calls and optimise the app to allow for a more seamless transition from WiFi to cellular. The app is further designed to work on weaker data connections.
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