Video chat and conferencing on Android devices
Meet with an Android.
Videoconferencing has become an everyday aspect of life lately, and in more types of interactions than ever before. Personally, we have an upcoming event that includes family members who are stuck in the USA and will be attending by video, so how do we ensure the best experience?
The first step is to choose your video call app. There are many available and most are free from the Google Play Store, or already installed on your Android device. Some may be apps you are familiar with using for text messaging as well as calls.
The apps we considered include:
Google Duo
Chances are Google Duo is preinstalled on your Android devices, so if you are not already using another video chat app it is a logical place to start. Duo also lets you call Google Home devices direct, can pre-record video messages, and is free.
Duo works across Android and Apple iOS devices, does not require an account or sign-in, and supports group calls of up to 32 participants. While there is a capability to call to and from email contacts, it mainly targets calls to phone numbers.
After installing and giving permission to access your contacts, when you open Duo the lower part of the screen lists your Android and iOS contacts that have Duo installed, plus Android users who can be called even though they don’t have Duo installed.
Other features include “Knock Knock” - a video preview that is sent to the device you are calling, an automatic low-light mode, the ability to take and share snapshots during calls, recording of calls, and the option to send video messages up to 30 seconds long.
Overall, Duo has developed into a robust and versatile video chat platform that is well worth checking out.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is another app that you may already have on your phone and computer if you have a Facebook account. It works across Android and iOS, plus Windows and Mac computers. Even if you have deactivated your Facebook account you can still use Messenger.
To make a video call just open a chat with a contact and tap on the movie camera icon at the top of the screen. Group video calls of up to 50 people are also supported.
If you already use Messenger for chat it is a very easy option for everyday video calls. The video quality seems reliable, and the app performs better than many in areas with poor mobile reception.
Like its Facebook stablemate, WhatsApp is a very popular cross-platform free messaging app for smartphones. It’s simple
to join with your phone number, and the large user base is a bonus.
WhatsApp is free, secure, easy to use, and includes a wide range of text, voice and video messaging features.
As with Messenger, to make a video call just open a chat with a contact or group and tap the movie camera icon at the top of the screen. WhatsApp group video calls of up to 50 people are supported.
Skype
Microsoft’s Skype is one of the original video conferencing apps with wide use in the business world. It is particularly well suited to scheduled meetings, and participants can join even if they do not have a Skype account.
It works across most platforms, including Xbox, is free for Skype-to-Skype calls and meetings of up to 50 participants, and also lets you call landline and mobile numbers for moderate fees.
Skype can even translate your one-to-one calls and text chats in real time, plus save the transcript for you. To set up your translation preferences you need to tap on the account profile icon, go into Settings/General/Translation. To initiate a translated call you tap on the contact you wish to call, scroll down to “Translate Conversation” and tap on “Send translation request”. When the contact accepts the request your real-time translated conversation will begin.
Zoom
Skypes’s newest competitor Zoom is an intuitive web conferencing app that has become very popular. Zoom comes in free and paid versions, but the free version covers most everyday needs and is extensively used by both individual and corporate users.
A great strength of Zoom is its ability to manage group video conferences in a dynamic and intuitive way. Many people will have already been invited to join a Zoom meeting and installed the Zoom app, which includes options to join without video or audio.
A nice feature is a “video preview” that shows how you will appear and lets you adjust the camera position or tidy up before you go live. There is also an option to add a background image rather than display whatever is actually behind you, and this can work really well. But try different backgrounds, including your own photos, to see what works the best – go for an image that is not too busy and it is amazing how cleanly the app can place you in the foreground.
We suggest downloading Zoom from the Google Play store and getting to know the options. It is a very easy app to use.
Enhancing your video calls
Making a call or joining a meeting on any of these platforms is simple enough, but how do you project the best image in your call? One consideration is viewing angle, and an easy tip is to position the camera at or above your eye level for a more flattering look!
If you are video calling from a computer the camera is usually positioned at the top of the screen, so that works reasonably well. But when video chatting from a handheld device it feels kind of strange, not to mention tiring, to hold it up high.
If you are making regular video calls you might want to obtain a selfie stick, or even a tripod if you will not be mobile, so maintaining a good angle is easier. These can be obtained for less than $20 from online platforms such as Ebay or Amazon.
Increase the interaction
To go a step further you can purchase inexpensive motorised selfie stands that can track your face as you move around. This opens up new possibilities for dynamic interaction without having to hold your phone at arms length while moving and trying to stay centrally framed in the video you are sending out. We haven’t tried it yet, but there is the potential to use these devices for more personal interaction heading towards telepresence.
Just search for “motorised selfie phone holders” on Ebay or Amazon to check them out.