Google starts to integrate video calling to its built-in Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps

Here’s something Android users might be feeling envious over iOS users: the ability to start video calls right from Phone and Messages app. Google users, specifically those who have Pixel, Nexus, and Android One users, will soon be able to video call right from Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps.

To make this possible, Google is using its Duo video calling service and the ViLTE standard. The latter is an extension of the current VoLTE standard, which focuses on better video call quality over an LTE network. By default, video calls will be routed through ViLTE. That is if your carrier supports that standard. If they don’t, Google will route it through Duo. This means, you’ll need to have Duo installed and activated on your device. You also need to have the latest versions of the aforementioned apps. Later this year, Google also plans to give you the option to upgrade a voice call to a video call.

Source: Android Authority

Google tipped to make some apps on Android One be data usage free

Google’s Android One initiative is aimed at bringing Android phones to low-end smartphone market in emerging countries. It doesn’t come as a surprise then that they reportedly plan to make data use free for certain apps on Android One devices. This means certain apps on Android One devices won’t consume allocated data from plans they are subscribed to. With data coverage sometime unreliable and expensive for emerging markets, this could be a smart move for them. While this “zero rating” concept isn’t new though, it could change the game up a bit if they offer it for popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp. In India, they are reportedly working with Snapdeal and Flipkart to make this happen.

Source: Ubergizmo

Google I/O: Android One is Google's platform for emerging markets

Google's looking seriously at emerging markets as well as smartphone users on the entry level. Under the Android One platform, Google revelaed that it is dictating the hardware as well as the software for affordable devices to enable them to run Android in an optimized manner while maintaning low cost in hardware. The software of the Android One devices will be handled by Google, so just like Google Play and Nexus devices, they are assured of the latest possible software and features.