Integrated Video Calling Coming To Pixel, Android One, And Nexus Devices

Google today announced that it’s going to make it even easier for users to start a video call from their Android device. It’s making video calling an integrated part of select devices. Users will be able to start a video call directly from where they call or send text messages, from Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps. This functionality is limited to select device, though.

Google is starting to roll out integrated video calling to the first-generation Pixel, Nexus, and Android One smartphones. This feature will also be available on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

Later this year, the company is also going to add the ability to upgrade an ongoing voice call to video with just one tap. If both people are on a carrier that supports ViLTE video calling, the video call will be routed through the carrier’s ViLTE service. If that’s an option, Google Due will be used to connect the video call to anyone who has the app installed on their phone.

Users will have to ensure that the person they’re calling has the Google Duo app installed and activated, otherwise, this feature will be of no use to them. Google says that it’s working with its carrier and device partners to bring this feature to more Android devices over time.

It may be a while before this feature lands on devices from most of Google’s OEM partners.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Google, Google Duo