A
blue spider has inspired researchers to create a new material with
structural colour that does not change with the viewing angle.
While smartphones introduced video calling feature some time back
with dual-camera phones, it did not take off due to high data costs and
connectivity issues. But with most phones now sporting 4G technology,
video is gaining ground again. So much so, that one of the largest
social media platforms, WhatsApp,
with over a billion monthly active users, could not ignore the lure of
video calling and introduced the feature early this week. Ishaan Gera
reviews the newly launched service along with its competitors to
determine whether the chat platform can unseat the existing players.
WhatsApp
One of the most widely used platforms, WhatsApp is probably the
easiest to install and work around with. The app uses the phone’s
contact list to build up its database and all one has to do is click on
the profile to start chatting. While the service has had a calling
feature for long now, the only thing missing was video. WhatsApp call
has become an industry standard, given the data used and the quality of
service and the company has replicated the same for video as well. The
app does not use much data nor does it require too much of battery. The
call works perfectly even when network connectivity is not at its best.
Though video flakes out at times—that is more due to data
connectivity—the voice part continues to function perfectly. But what is
irksome is the access to video calls. While WhatsApp has a neatly
stacked icon on the top for voice call, for video, one has to click on
the person’s profile and scroll down to access it. Hopefully, this is
something WhatsApp will correct in the next few updates. Moreover, while
WhatsApp does provide a secure and convenient experience as one does
not have to switch apps for video, it lacks some of the advanced
features like translate or group calling offered by others.
Google Duo
Launched earlier this year, Google’s Duo is the simplest video
calling app available, but unfortunately it does nothing more. The
registration doesn’t require a Google account, like its predecessor, as
it uses the mobile phone number and phone’s contact book as its primary
source. The interface is simple where one can just make a call by
tapping on the number. Although Google does not have voice calling, it
says it will soon introduce that feature. It also has a Knock Knock
feature which allows contacts to see your video even before they have
picked up your call. While quality-wise, Google does better than most
others, one can also save data as there is a ‘limit mobile data usage’
option. So, if you are looking for plain video calling, Google is the
way to go.
Skype
Skype is the grand-dad of video calling, but it has been innovating faster than most other platforms offered on mobile. The Microsoft
offering recently announced a real-time translation feature for 50
languages via instant message and seven using video. The app is platform
agnostic with downloads available for Android, Windows or iOS. While
the interface is clumsy as the app requires login each time you open it
and uses much more battery than others, Skype can be downloaded on
desktop as well. Still one of the best video apps, it has a group video
call facility and offers calls to landline in its paid version. It also
allows you to create a Skype number for a fee. Moreover, it offers
instant messaging and one can even minimise screen and access other apps
while using video calling.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s other offering, Messenger, combines everything from chats
to voice and video calling service. Messenger allows group video calling
and lets users minimise their calling screen to use Facebook chat like
Skype. Not as agnostic as Skype, it is accessible via Chrome, Firefox
and Opera. While it consumes a lot of battery, it is still more
economical than Skype. The only downside to it is the registration which
requires a Facebook ID which may not be as easy to create as WhatsApp.
While the service is good, the video quality deteriorates quite often.
But the service integrates mobile and Facebook contacts, which gives it
an edge over the others.
FaceTime
Apple’s founder Steve Jobs introduced its voice and video calling
service back in 2010. The app has a simple platform and doesn’t require
any registration. It syncs with the phone contacts and one can access
the feature even using the contact book. FaceTime is well calibrated so
it uses much less battery in comparison to other apps and also has a
better response. It also features an audio call feature which, at times,
trumps a regular call in terms of audio quality. But the only downside
is that one has to buy an Apple product in order to use it.
EmDrive, which was developed by British researcher Roger Shawyer over
10 years ago, generates thrust by bouncing microwaves around inside a
cone-shaped chamber (Source: EmDrive)