A beginner’s guide to video chat

It finally happened: With a few quick swipes and taps, our mobile devices become conduits of live two-way video through which we can speak face-to-face with family members, significant others, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Video chat is no longer science fiction and can be part of our daily communications. However, it seems that only a relative few are actually using this game-changing technology,

According to a study from last fall, about 68 percent of all American adults own a smartphone, which is roughly two in three American adults. Of those people, less than half (47 percent) have ever used video chat platforms on their smartphones, and this represents a sharp increase from 33 percent in 2013 and 19 percent in 2011. Obviously, there are more and more people using video chat on their smartphones. On the other hand, with several capable video chat platforms from which to choose, why are only a minority of smartphone users using them?

One reason could be that it can sometimes be difficult to have off-the-cuff video chats in the same way we make phone calls. It's one thing to jump out of the shower to take an important phone call and another matter to video chat with someone while wearing only a towel. Video chat requires more foresight and preparation than is necessary for phone calls. Or perhaps you're of the opinion that video chat seems more complicated than it's worth. If that's the case, fear not. We have you covered.

If the release of Google Duo tells us anything, it's that video chat is as relevant as ever and will likely hold a prominent place in mobile communication as we move forward. Whether you're simply a late adopter or haven't gotten around to learning how the whole "video chat thing" works, the following is a concise guide to the art of the video chat using four of the most popular and easy-to-use platforms: Google Duo, Google Hangouts, Skype, and Facebook Messenger.

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Google Duo

It's no surprise that some of the best video chat platforms for Android users are the ones that were actually made by Google, with the first in our guide being Duo. Google Duo is the latest video chat platform for Android and Google seems to be banking on it becoming the Android equivalent of Apple's FaceTime for iOS. However, the key difference (and what should be a major advantage, but that's another story) between Duo and FaceTime is that the former supports both Android and iOS. This means if your friends download Duo, you'll be able to video chat with all of them no matter who carries an iPhone and who carries an Android. (Apologies to the dozen or so Windows Phone users out there who are feeling left out.)

How to start using Google Duo for video chat

1. Setup your Google Duo account: First, download the Google Dup app from the Play Store and complete the painless setup process. It will ask for your cell number so it can send a verification code via text, which allows Duo to link your cell number to your Google Duo account. The app recognizes anyone who's signed up for Duo using phone numbers stored in a device's contacts list. By verifying and linking your cell number to your account, your friends will be able to see that you're available for Duo video chats.
2. Open Duo and begin initiating a video chat: When you open Duo, you'll notice the app immediately activates your front-facing camera, showing you a live image of yourself with a "Video call" button underneath. Click that button.
3. Choose someone for a video chat: At this point, you will see an in-app list of your contacts. Any contacts who are already using Duo will appear at the very top of the list, followed by the remainder of your contacts, each with their own "invite" button so you can invite them to use Duo. Begin your video chat by clicking on the name of the Duo user of your choice. Duo will begin to call that person in much the same way as a regular phone call. As long as your recipient has a WiFi or LTE connection, he or she will be prompted to answer or decline your "video call".

Something else that should be mentioned here is a feature called "Knock Knock". Instead of seeing the photo that's associated with your contact information, Knock Knock lets the person whom you are calling actually see you via your front-facing camera before he or she answers the call. It's a bit of an odd feature that has brought up issues concerning privacy, but you have the option to turn off Knock Knock in the settings. If you have Knock Knock turned on, make sure you're actually ready for your video chat before you begin initiating the connection.

Get it on Google Play!

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Google Hangouts

For those of us who prefer the simple, unadulterated predictability of Google services, Hangouts is typically the preferred means of conducting video chats. Granted, many of us will go off and explore new services and platforms on occasion, but we routinely return to Hangouts because it's simple and reliable. If Duo is the new kid on the block who's trying to make friends, Hangouts is that dude who comes home from college to throw great parties throughout the summers and during the holidays.

Unlike Duo, Hangouts isn't just for video chat. When it was unveiled in mid-2013, Google Hangouts — which took its name from the popular Hangouts video chat feature of Google+ — was multifunctional, proprietary communications platform for instant messaging, voice calls, and video chat. In short order, SMS integration was added to Hangouts, but more recently was ported off Hangouts and into its own separate application called Messages. Today, there seems to be a dichotomy among Hangouts users: people who use Hangouts for instant messaging (typically a business scenario) and people who use Hangouts for video chat.

Getting started with video chat on Google Hangouts

1. Sign up for Hangouts: Chances are you've already signed up for Hangouts and used it for one reason or another. It doesn't require a cell phone number and comes pre-installed on virtually all Android phones, so all it takes to start using it is to be signed into your Google account.
2. Begin initiating a video chat: Open Hangouts and click the "+" button in the bottom-right corner. This will give you three different options: start an instant messaging session with one person, with a group of people, or to start a video chat. Choose the video chat option.
3. Find someone for a video chat: At this point, you'll see a list of your contacts. The people currently using Hangouts and, therefore, are ready to video chat will have quotation marks stamped on the edge of their profile pictures. As well, the words "On Hangouts" will appear next to their names. Click on the person with whom you want to video chat and Hangouts will start to call that person in much the same way as a normal phone call.

Get it on Google Play!

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Skype

Although most Android users are intimately acquainted with Hangouts, Skype tends to be the most widely-recognized option and there's surely no platform that's as strongly associated with video chat as Skype. Part of this is due to Skype being available on basically every mobile and desktop operating system that exists. But it has been around for the longest, too, with Skype having made its debut in 2003. Other services come and go, but Skype remains a favorite among video chat users, especially those who chat regularly with people in other countries.

Start Skyping in three easy steps

1. Download Skype app and create an account: First, you'll need to download the Skype app from the Play Store on your Android smartphone. Upon opening Skype for the first time, you'll be prompted to log in or create an account; choose the latter option. You'll be required to provide either your phone number or your email address so that other Skype users can find you and engage in video chats, voice calls, and instant messaging.
2. Find someone for a Skype video chat: Once you've signed up and successfully logged into the Skype app, you'll be greeted by the main screen with three separate tabs at the top; choose the center tab, which is for your contacts. Here you'll see all the contacts you have stored on your phone. Those who aren't using Skype will have "Invite" buttons located beside their names while those that are using Skype will have a blank space there instead. Click on the user with whom you want to Skype, which will bring up a thread where you and that person can exchange instant messages.
3. Initiate a Skype video chat: Near the top of the screen by the recipient's name, you'll see a video camera icon. Simply click that video camera icon to begin "calling" that person for a video chat. If that person is using a device on which Skype is installed and has some type of internet connection, he or she will be able to accept.

Get it on Google Play!

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Facebook Messenger

If there's any company that could be said to rival Google in terms of its prominence in our daily lives, it's definitely Facebook. It may no longer be at the forefront of the social media hype train like it was just a couple years ago, but it's still the biggest social network there is. If you're skeptical, consider these figures: Earlier this year, it was found that Facebook has 1.59 billion users who are active at least throughout the month.

Let that sink in for a moment. In 2013, the whole world's population was 7.125 billion people; if that figure is similar today, over 22 percent of the global population uses Facebook regularly; keep in mind this number includes only active users, which, looking just at the U.S., is nearly 75 percent of all American adults who are online. By comparison, Facebook-owned Instagram has 400 million active users while Twitter has 320 million active users.

In providing these statistics, I hope your takeaway from this is that there's a pretty significant chunk of the population using Facebook, which has been steadily expanding its wheelhouse, building out its social network into something more. Case in point: Facebook Messenger. It used to be that you could exchange Facebook messages within the actual Facebook app; however, following the launch of the separate messaging app in 2011, Facebook Messenger soon became the only way to exchange Facebook messages between mobile devices. More recently, SMS integration, voice calls, and video chat has been incorporated into Facebook Messenger. Since most of your family members and friends are probably using Facebook, this may be the most convenient option when it comes to using video chat since it won't require anyone to sign up for new and unfamiliar services.

Using Facebook Messenger for video chat

1. Download and sign into Facebook Messenger: You probably already have Facebook Messenger set up; however, if you've not yet used it, download Facebook Messenger from the Play Store. Open the app and either sign into your Facebook account or follow the prompts to create a new one. It will ask for your cell number, which is optional; providing your cell number will allow people with whom you're not Facebook friends but who have your cell number saved in their phones to contact you via Facebook Messenger.
2. Find someone for a video chat: After logging into Facebook Messenger, you'll be taken to the main screen where you'll see any messages you've exchanged with Facebook friends in the past. If you have "favorited" any of your friends, you'll likely see a special section for your favorite contacts here, too. If you don't see anyone with whom you want to video chat, look to the tabs running along the top of the screen and choose the icon that looks like a telephone. This will take you to a list of your contacts who are ready and able to receive voice calls and video chats.
3. Initiate the video chat: Once you've found the person with whom you want to video chat, it's as simple as pressing the corresponding button. Beside each person on the list, you'll see two icons, a telephone and a video camera. Press the video camera and Facebook Messenger will begin to "call" the recipient much like a regular phone call. Be aware that while you wait for an answer, the call will be minimized to a small window at the top-right corner of the screen, allowing you to continue using your device while you wait for your recipient to answer.

Get it on Google Play!

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This concludes our lesson for today, and I want to hear from you. Now that you're a bonafide video chat expert, does it seem like something you will or would like to use? Were you already using video chat? Sound off in the comment section below and make sure to share this video chat guide with anyone who might be having trouble adopting this relatively newfangled, easier-than-it-looks technology. And as always, keep it tuned to Android Authority as we continue to be your go-to source for all things Android.

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Facebook’s ‘Messenger Day’ is yet another Snapchat Story clone

Texting? That's so 2010. Snapchat is how millennials communicate with one another, and its popularity is so huge that it seems like everyone wants to get in on the action. We have blatant clones like Snow, but we also have Facebook, a company's that has been subtly and steadily experimenting with some Snapchat-esque features as of late.

First it was Instagram Stories: just like Snapchat, users could upload a picture or a short video to show a snippet of their lives, which would then disappear after 24 hours. After that, Facebook launched Lifestage, which is essentially a creepier version of Snapchat with an age restriction. Now, according to reports, Facebook is testing "Messenger Day" within its messaging app, which functions very much like Snapchat Story.

TechCrunch

Messenger Day seems to be available only in Poland for now, which makes sense given the fact that Snapchat hasn't gained much momentum there yet. According to Facebook, this is a small test and may or may not come to other regions:

We know that people come to Messenger to share everyday moments with friends and family. In Poland we are running a small test of new ways for people to share those updates visually. We have nothing more to announce at this time.

Just like Snapchat Story, you can post a photo or a video of a moment, which will disappear after 24 hours. You can also send it to a specific recipient. One interesting thing about Messenger Day is that it seems to have borrowed some elements from the Lifestage app that Facebook launched earlier this year.

It is very sticker-centric as you can see, and most of them are very specific. Whereas on Snapchat, stickers are a little more versatile and general, Messenger Day has specific sticker categories so you can show how you're feeling, what you're up to, what you want to do, etc. all through stickers. Although we will have to wait and see how Messenger Day does in Poland, I think Facebook's approach to filters and stickers may prove itself to be a sufficient distinguishing factor.

Whereas on Snapchat, stickers are a little more versatile and general, Messenger Day has specific categories so you can show how you're feeling, what you're up to, what you want to do, etc.

What are your thoughts on Messenger Day? If you are in Poland and have used it, let us know in the comment section below!

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Deal: Get an LG G5, Garmin Vivofit 3, and $70 worth of accessories for just $479

While the LG G5 never quite caught on quite like the OEM had likely hoped, it still remains a solid, generally underrated device. This is especially true if you can find it for the right price. In the past we've seen the LG G5 as cheap as $409.99. The latest offer might not be quite as impressive at $479, but when you factor in the added $170 in freebies, it's actually a pretty solid offer.

In addition to the LG G5, B&H is offering an extra battery, battery charging cradle, and a Garmin vivofit 3, which happens to rank on our best fitness tracker list and is valued at $100.

As a reminder, the LG G5 comes with great specs, including a 5.3-inch QHD display, a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 16MP/8MP cameras and a 2800 mAh battery. All inside a modular body that gives access to its removable battery and lets you potentially add on extra capabilities. It's also worth noting this is the North American version of the LG G5, and therefore is said to be compatible with both CDMA and GSM carriers.

 

• LG G5 review
• LG G5 tips and tricks
• Best LG G5

What do you think, is the LG G5 worth picking up with the added bonuses? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments.

Buy LG G5 from B&H

 

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Latest Oculus VR update linked to heavy battery drain on Samsung phones

In theory, app updates are meant to bring bug fixes and performance improvements, as well as new features. Unfortunately, for all the fixes added, updates tend to sneak in at least a few bugs as well. That's unfortunately what appears to be happening with the latest version of the Oculus app for Samsung devices.

A number of Redditors have been complaining about poor battery life that started around last night, when the new update arrived. I actually noticed this myself, as I left my Galaxy S7 Edge off the charger last night to wake up with it much lower than it typically would be when left off the charger overnight.

From the sounds of it, the problem sorrounds the new Oculus Rooms addition to the app, with the Oculus VR app getting stuck in an installation loop that continuously downloads and reinstalls the app. While a new update is probably not too far off, it is probably not a bad idea to uninstall Oculus VR (or at least disable it) in the meantime.

Are you affected by this battery drain issue? If so, let us know in the comments below.

See also – Samsung Gear VR: everything you need to know

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Third party speakers may help Google Home take on Amazon Echo

As we gear up to Google's launch event in San Francisco next week, eyes are not only on the company's new line-up of Pixel phones, but also on the extended range of smart home accessories expected to be on display. Google Home, a WiFi-connected smart speaker, could turn out to be one of the more important announcements made at the event, as Google prepared to ramp up its efforts in the smart home space and prepares to take on the increasingly popular Amazon Echo.

HiFi audio sales have been rejuvenated by the introduction of wireless Bluetooth and WiFi systems, and the early success of Amazon's Echo suggests that there's a growing consumer appetite for tying these systems in with virtual assistant and smart home products. Amazon has reportedly already sold 3 million Echo speaker systems this year, and is aiming to ship 10 million units in 2017. Google clearly does not want to be left behind, and already has an extensive ecosystem of virtual assistant based technologies, including search and app integration, that Google Home will be able to make use of.

According to a report by Variety, Google has been in talks with manufacturers to begin building other devices that will work just like Google Home. Apparently, details were discussed at a closed-door talk with some 50 participant from the home audio market. This suggests that we may end up seeing smart speakers from a variety of manufacturers, all powered by the Google Home could-based assistant.

See also: Sundar Pichai talks Nexus, AI, Google Home, and EU legal issues5

Importantly, another source alleges that Google may not allow these companies to combine their hardware with other virtual assistance, not that this demand is particularly uprising. Although manufacturers may be reluctant to put all their eggs into Google's technology. However, some of the companies involved are said to have already worked with Google to produce speakers powered by Google Cast, a list which includes major brands such as Sony, Philips, LG, JBL, and Bang & Olufsen. However, Google has declined to comment on whether it will be working with any third-party manufacturers on this.

Google Home was originally announced back at I/O 2016, so we already know quite a bit about it. The little hub integrates a built-in Bluetooth speaker and microphone, which is paired up with Google Assistant to answer questions and respond to commands. The system is also integrated with Cast, so consumers can launch audio from compatible devices and apps, including Spotify, Tunein, Pandora, and more. Cast capabilities also mean that customers will be table to launch YouTube videos and other steaming services on their TV just by issuing a command to Google Home.

Essentially, Google Home is the company's big play to bring its mobile assistant services to the home. Google's portfolio of smart products may also assist the company in catching up with and leapfrogging Amazon Echo. Nest technologies have been incorporated to work on the project, opening up the possibility that other products around the home could be controlled from your speaker system.

According to an insider at the meeting, companies may be ready to unveil speakers with built-in Google Assistant integration as early as next summer. 2017 could be the year that smart homes really hit the mainstream.

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Google Pixel XL dimensions and 360-degree renders leaked ahead of October 4 event

A salvo of leaks and rumors surrounding the upcoming Google Pixel smartphones keeps cropping up as October 4 draws near. The latest shot has been fired by the usual suspect @OnLeaks, who revealed Google Pixel XL's dimensions and 3D images in a 360-degree rendering.

• Google Pixel phones will be unveiled October 4
• Leaked: New image of the Google Pixel (Update: Pixel XL, too)

The 3D renders show what seems to be a factory CAD result for the Pixel XL, meaning the measurements on all sides and corners are accurate. That is not to say the leak isn't to be taken with a grain of salt. The leakster shared on Twitter that Google Pixel XL (codenamed Marlin) is said to measure 154.72 x 75.74 x 7.3 mm (on the bottom), though the handset appears thicker at the top at 8.5 mm.

#Google #PixelXL aka #Nexus #Marlin dimensions = 154.72mm x 75.74mm x 7.3mm (top) / 8.5mm (bottom) http://pic.twitter.com/GNVHNnwFMX

— OnLeaks (@OnLeaks) September 29, 2016

Google Pixel XL appears larger than the Pixel thanks to the former's 5.5-inch display against the latter's 5-inch screen. Further examination of the renders will reveal a glass plate that seems to cover the rear camera and fingerprint scanner on the device's back panel.

There's also a metal frame with sloping edges, a stereo speaker at the bottom, and a USB Type-C port in addition to the power button and volume keys. That's on the hardware side. Other than the details of the key specs of Pixel XL and Pixel that we previously learned, there's word that the Pixel XL could set you back around $650.

We'll know more about the two Google Pixel smartphones once the Mountain View giant takes the veil off it on Tuesday next week. So stay tuned for more updates!

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How we got Pokemon Go running on this lower-end device with DU Speed Booster

 

If you have a brand new, high-end Android device, your mobile life tends to be pretty easy. After all, just about everything you run on it will work smoothly, from games to apps. Of course, not all of us have top-of-the-line brand new devices, and that's why sometimes it's nice to have a little help. That's where utility apps can lend a hand. There are a handful of such apps out there, including DU Speed Booster, Greenify, Clean Master and others.

For this article, we'll be checking out DU Speed Booster to see just how well it can bring the speed — specifically in terms of Pokemon Go.

The mobile world continues to evolve at a frantic pace, and that means the processing power required to handle your favorites apps and games is steadily on the rise. This is especially true for popular games like Pokemon Go, which not only require a reasonable amount of graphical prowess, but also utilize a variety of sensors as well. All of this can take a pretty big toll on your handset.

Can a free utility app like DU Speed Booster help even the score? That's what we aim to explore in this feature.

Editor's note: This post is sponsored by the makers of DU Speed Booster. 

What is DU Speed Booster – how does it work

Let's begin by discussing what it is that DU Speed Booster does. While the app has a variety of functions, the key components are its ability to clean trash via the aptly named Trash Cleaner, and boost performance through the Phone Boost function.

Starting with Phone Boost, this feature shows you apps that are wasting the phone's memory resources in the background, and lets you release this RAM in order to give your device a bit more speed.

Trash Cleaning simply scans your phone for files, cache, and other remnants that are taking up extra space on your device. By clearing these files, you can theoretically improve how fast the phone functions throughout the UI, in games, and more.

Beyond these functions, the app also has a number of other features including a virus scanner, a network speed tester and optimizer, an app manager that is similar to the one built into Android but with further options, and lastly, a game optimizer.

Of these additional features, Game Booster was what really caught our attention. After all, gaming is one of the most intensive tasks a phone can perform, so anything that can potentially help out an older or lower-end phone keep up sounds wonderful to us.

The test subjects

In order to better get to know the DU Speed Booster we decided to load it up on a few different devices.

Because we wanted to see how a phone might perform with or without the booster, we purchased two BLU R1 HD handsets and loaded up the same files, apps, and used both as daily drivers for a few days in order to clutter them up the best we could for testing.

Of course, a few days of clutter doesn't reflect the mangled state many of our phones are in after months, or even years, of use. That's why we also loaded up the app on our aging Moto G 4G LTE, a phone that has been around the block for a long while now and is crammed tight with all sorts of apps.

Our results

Let's start by talking about how well the speed boosting and trash cleaning worked.

First, yes, there were quite a few rogue apps taking up extra battery life on both of the BLU HD R1 and the Moto G. There were also a number of files that needed cleaning, though obviously the Moto G needed a lot more love, due to the fact we've been using it for various things around the office for years. But did things actually run noticeably faster?

Honestly, the results were a bit on the mild side with the BLU R1 HD. We did notice that the UI seemed slightly faster on the phone that ran DU Speed Booster and had been successfully run through all the main app options. The same experience continued into gaming, where we found that apps started several seconds faster but ultimately played about the same on the BLU R1 HD that had the speed booster as they did on the model without. Still, any improvement is a positive one and a testament to the fact that speed boosting programs can make a difference in device performance.

Here's a real short clip that shows how apps seemingly booted a bit faster with DU Speed Booster onboard:

Turning to the Moto G, things got a bit more interesting. While we had just one Moto G present, making side-by-side comparisons impossible, we made sure to load up games like Pokemon Go before running the speed booster, and after. And that's where things really heated up.

On the Moto G, Pokemon Go would crash and burn right at the logo screen. That was that. The UI was also extremely sluggish throughout, which isn't surprising considering the phone has been through quite a bit.

After running the DU Speed Booster app, we were able to recover around 300MB of space, on a phone that only had 8GB to begin with. Using the app manager we also took a closer look at what apps were on the phone, and what needed further moving.

Next, we ran DU Speed Booster and recovered around 64MB RAM. Finally, we tossed Pokemon Go through the app optimizer. Now I'm not sure which of these things, or a combination of both, made the difference, but the game finally booted up!

While the game itself wasn't perfect, as AR didn't work due to a missing sensor, it was perfectly playable nonetheless. This was undoubtedly a massive improvement from the state of not running at all. We also played around with several other games on the Moto G including Clash of Clans, Minecraft: Pocket Edition, and Subway Surfers. All ran better after the speed booster tests and optimizations had ran, though the effects were really subtle on Clash of Clans and Subway Surfers.

The Takeaway

Based on our own tests, the true impact of DU Speed Booster can most obviously be seen with a device that has been actively used for months or more. This makes sense, as the nature of an operating system is that as you use it, the file system clutters up and gradually slows things down. With DU Speed Booster, your aging devices will feel as close to that "out of the box speed" as you'll get without doing a full system reset on your phone.

Still, even with only a few days of use, the BLU R1 HD saw at least a modicum of improvement when using the app and likely if we were to test again a few months down the road, the difference would be much more significant.

Of course it's important to note that in real world use, results will vary. DU Speed Booster has a number of features, and while it's easy enough to learn, mastering all the functions takes a bit more time and so the performance improvement will all come down to what tools you are using, and how often you are using it.

The big takeaway is if you have an older flagship or a low to mid-range device, this app could be a perfect companion for making the very most out of your smartphone experience, especially when it comes down to gaming.

On a side note – For anyone who wants to win some free cash, DU Speed Booster and DU Battery Saver are holding a contest called "DU – Dream More" to celebrate the anniversary of their mascot Super DU. According to the app homepage, you can win up to USD $5,000 — definitely not too shabby. Download the apps here and here for a chance to win a lot of money.

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