While it may not have had much success with its previous attempts at offering a messaging service, this week sees Google take another crack - with critics predicting this one will have a lot more cut-through. Meet Google Allo. Launched this week, Google Allo is a new smart messaging app that not only has the usual chat function of competitors like iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, but also helps users to make plans, find information, and express themselves better.
"Google Allo makes it easier for you to respond quickly and keep the conversation going, even when you’re on the go. With Smart Reply, you can respond to messages with just a tap, so you can send a quick ‘yup’ in response to a friend asking ‘Are you on your way?’ Smart Reply will also suggest responses for photos. If your friend sends you a photo of their pet, you might see Smart Reply suggestions like ‘aww cute!’ And whether you’re a ‘haha’ or laughing emoji kind of person, Smart Reply will improve over time and adjust to your style," a statement from the platform reads.
"Chat is more than just text, so we’ve created a rich canvas for you to express yourself in Google Allo. You can make emojis and text larger or smaller in size by simply dragging the ‘send’ button up or down. Make photos your own by scribbling on them before you send. And we’ve worked with independent artists and studios around the world to create more than 25 custom sticker packs, because sometimes a ‘sloth riding a pizza’ says it all."
Google Allo also comes with an Assistant - which might put Siri out of a job. Users can ask the Assistant questions and help on things directly in the chat, meaning they won't need to leave a conversation with friends in order to pick a dinner spot or grab an address. As well as one-on-one chats, the Assistant can be brought into a group chat by just adding @google to the thread. The coming months will see Google Assistant popping up in more Google products.
