Google Allo for Android and iOS

[Arthur]

Another new messaging app from Google.

 

Note. The Download links aren't currently live in the UK, but should be shortly.

 

Website / Blog / Download (Android, iOS)

 

Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

Whether it’s planning a night out or just catching up, we all rely on messaging to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. But too often we have to hit pause on our conversations — whether it’s to check the status of a flight or look up that new restaurant. So we created a messaging app that helps you keep your conversation going, by providing assistance when you need it.

 

Today, we’re releasing Google Allo, a new smart messaging app for Android and iOS that helps you say more and do more right in your chats. Google Allo can help you make plans, find information, and express yourself more easily in chat. And the more you use it, the more it improves over time.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXEkoXgb4bI

[caffrey]

Allo allo ?

 

[Arthur]

Allo allo?

I was really tempted to say that, but I managed to resist.

[angrycomputingteacher]

I've manged to download an apk for it but it opens a white screen then crashes.

[elsiegee40]

Google weakens Allo chat app privacy promise | BBC News

The company had originally said conversations within Allo would be only temporarily stored on its servers, restricting the authorities' ability to request access.

 

However, the Verge news site revealed that Google now holds on to the data unless users take active measures to stop it.

 

Allo does offer an Incognito mode - which encrypts the chats in a form that prevents the Assistant listening in or the authorities being able to get an unscrambled copy - but this is not enabled by default.

 

That contrasts with the approach of Whatsapp, which holds on to messages only until they have been delivered, and Telegram and Apple's iMessage, which promise never to scan users' communications.

Edited September 22, 2016 by elsiegee40

[IrritableTech]

Presumably every conversation starts with 'Listen very carefully I shall only say this once'

 

Ironic perhaps that it is remembered forever!

[Arthur]

It only lasted ~2 years.

 

Google confirms Allo will shut down, Hangouts Chat and Meet coming to non-corporate users

 

There has been a whirlwind of rumors around Google's messaging strategy over the past few days. First we heard that Hangouts might be shutting down, with a Google product lead refuting the claims, then a report came out that Allo is also shutting down. Google has now published a blog post to set the record straight, and it seems the rumors were mostly true.

 

The announcement mostly reiterates what we already assumed was true — the company is focusing on Android Messages and Duo for consumers, and Hangouts Chat and Meet for businesses. Google finally confirmed that Allo is going away, with the shutdown date set for the end of March 2019:

 

Given Messages’ continued momentum, we’ve decided to stop supporting Allo to focus on Messages.

 

Allo will continue to work through March 2019 and until then, you’ll be able to export all of your existing conversation history from the app—here are instructions on how to do so. We've learned a lot from Allo, particularly what’s possible when you incorporate machine learning features, like the Google Assistant, into messaging.

 

The blog post also mentions that Hangouts Meet and Chat will eventually become available to all users, and the company is "fully committed to supporting Hangouts users in the meantime."

[jthompson]

Although entirely predictable, I'm slightly concerned about what will now become of the Messages app. What ought to be a bog-standard, vanilla SMS app will no doubt be feature-creeping it's way towards being uninstalled from my phone ($deity save me from group messaging pushing its way into text messages). I know I can use a different bog-standard vanilla SMS app, but my car only seems to like reading out texts if the stock app is the SMS handler.