The lockdown caused by the Coronavirus triggered the struggle of video calling solutions. Lately, there is many news about new features and improvements from Google Duo, WhatsApp or Zoom which prove this. And the battle is somehow normal, considering that the lockdown is beneficial for the entire society. Still, people need to stay in touch and want to see each other.
Four new Google Duo features
Google announced four new Duo features. Now, Google Duo offers users high quality videos. In order to do this, in the coming week, Duo will start using a new video codec technology. The AV1 (AOMedia Video 1) technology improves video call quality even if the connection is a very low bandwidth one. The new feature, together with the end-to-end encryption and AI will reduce audio interruptions.
Also, the users can now quickly take a photo together to capture the moment of meeting on smartphones, tablets and Chromebooks. This will be automatically shared with everyone on the call. In fact, Google recently changed the group limit from eight to 12. Moreover, it plans to increase it further.
Also, Google Duo‘s users will be able to save AR (augmented reality) messages, so that they will not expire in 24 hours.
WhatsApp expands group video chats
At this moment WhatsApp is offering video calls of up to four people, after a recent update. But now, they prepare to extend the limit twofold. Of course, the feature is in beta, so it might take some time to reach all users. Also, users who want to take advantage of the new feature should have the latest iOS or Android beta update installed.
Thus, Facebook’s app would allow more people to join social distanced evenings, dinners, and celebrating holidays.
Zoom, forced to fix security issues
After the number of daily meeting participants on the platform surged grew from 10 million in December, to 200 million in March, Zoom had to face important security issues. As the numbers increased rapidly, because Zoom became a choice for remote workers, the hackers also became very interested in it. They took advantage of the lax approach toward security. So, some users suffered the so called “zoombombing”. It means that hackers invaded the online meetings to show violent imagery or pornography.
Although the solutions mentioned above are not necessarily competitors, the struggle of video calling solutions is obvious during this pandemic.
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