Google yesterday made a move to expand its toehold into the world of video chatting. Wired reports that the company announced a new video-chat app that is available for download on both Android and iOS phones, and clearly aims to compete with both Apple's FaceTime and Facebook's Messenger.

Dubbed "Duo," the app will feel familiar to those who prefer video calls to old-fashioned audio ones, but has some new features both on the front and back ends that developers hope will convince users to add yet another app to their likely crowded phones. Most immediately noticeable will be a real-time video preview of the person calling. This feature, which Google calls "Knock Knock," will let you get a visual peek at the person calling when the phone rings — before you've answered it. Better to tell what mood your mom is in before you decide if you can deal?

Other improvements on the standard video-chat app are found in the way Duo can switch from WiFi to cellular data during a call without interruption. "We’ve built Duo to be fast and reliable, so that video calls connect quickly and work well even on slower networks," reads the Google announcement. "Call quality adjusts to changing network conditions to keep you connected — when bandwidth is limited, Duo will gracefully reduce the resolution to keep the call going smoothly."

Calls are also end-to-end encrypted, which, as who knows what your late-night video chats can turn into, is definitely a good thing.

All you need is the app and someone's phone number to make a video call (the person you're calling has to have the app too, of course) — no account is necessary. Google clearly hopes this ease of use will spur people to adopt it as their go-to when they want some sweet face-time with loved ones.

However, as Wired points out, the problem with Duo may be one inherent to all video-chatting apps — they're awkward. Even Google's own promotional image, pictured above, shows one-half of the conversation not looking at the phone. Video-chatting still feels like a special occasion type of thing, and the latest entry to the crowded field is unlikely to change that fact.

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