Internet search giant Google on Wednesday launched a new instant messaging (WhatsApp-like) platform named Allo that comes with integrated AI and lot more features than regular chat applications.
Google at the I/O haighlighted three aspects of Allo that make it unique: Expression, Google Assistant, and Security.
Expression
Allo’s interface looks almost similar to any other chat applications with chats appeared as bubbles, with one person’s chat bubble on one side with certain color and other person’s chat bubble on opposite side with a different color. Similarly you could send stickers, sourced from different artist around the world just like Facebook Messenger.
What’s new in all that? Here comes the best part.
Whisper/Shout
This a feature which can change the size of text you sent by sliding up and down on the send button. Which enables user to express his current feeling’s more precisely like larger text to express you are angry and yelling and smaller text to express you are sad depending on the situation.
Ink
This feature lets you to get creative with photos you sent, for instance you can doodle on them and much more. Which sounds like latest version of iMessage with much more fun added to it.
Apart from this it also borrowed Smart Reply feature from Google’s inbox app, which enables you to respond quickly when you are in a rush. For example If someone asks if you want to grab dinner, Allo will serve you up with responses like “I’m in” or “I’m busy” so that you can instantly send them with a click.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is Google’s latest iteration of a virtual assistant. It’s considered an upgrade or an extension of Google Now. During the main keynote at Google I/O 2016, Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, demoed Google Assistant and said he wanted people to experience “an ongoing two-way dialog” with the virtual assistant.
The Google Assistant uses artificial intelligence tools, such as voice recognition and natural-language processing, to answer questions and satisfy other requests delivered verbally and in formats such as text messages. For instance, let’s say you are texting with your friend or a friend’s group and movie topic comes up, then Google Assistant proactively suggest the cinema halls nearby at the bottom of the app’s messaging window. Now by tapping the window you can book a ticket and make the payment without ever leaving the app. Cool isn’t it?
Security and End-End Encryption
There’s this new feature called incognito mode, just like Google Chrome browser does. In which the messages are end-to-end encrypted and have additional features like expiring chats and private notifications, giving you control over how long the messages stick around. Which means all the messages in Allo are not end-to-end encrypted, they have given choice to users on which chats they want to be and encrypted. Downside to all this, in Incognito Mode, features like Smart Reply options and Google Assistant doesn’t work.
Allo also works with Google Duo. Allo is tied to your phone number so you can text anyone in your phonebook. Simply put Allo is a smart messaging app which is integrated with multiple features in a single app.
