Allo aims to disrupt the monopoly of WhatsApp.
Search engine giant Google on Wednesday launched the much anticipated WhatsApp-like instant messaging app named Allo.
The new app is embedded with the preview of Google Assistant – Google’s latest chat based intelligent personal assistant.
The launch of Allo comes just weeks after Google launched its video chat application Duo that works even in slow network. Both the apps were featured during the Google developer conference this year.
While Google Duo focuses on video communication Allo is a complete instant messaging app that is all set to compete with Facebook owned WhatsApp.
Google has released Allo for both Android and iOS devices and has features that resemble to WhatsApp. Some of the additional features of Allo are the better range of stickers, doodles, and HUGE emojis and text.
Allo also give users an option to send message to friends who are not using Allo via SMS, a feature that is not yet available in WhatsApp.
According to Google Media release chats in Google Allo are encrypted using industry standard technologies like Transport Layer Security (TLS). Google has gone a step ahead and created a safe mode within the app called Incognito.
When chatting in Incognito mode, messages will be sent using end-to-end encryption and additional privacy features like discreet notifications and message expiration.
Some important features of Allo are:
- Smart Reply
Respond to messages without typing a single word. Smart Reply learns over time and suggests responses to text and photos, in your style.
- Ink
Get creative with the photos you send by doodling on them or adding text.
- Stickers
Say it all with the perfect sticker. Stickers in Google Allo are designed by independent artists and studios from around the world.
- SHOUT or whisper
No more typing in ALL CAPS to get your point across. Say it louder or quieter by changing the size of your text with a quick swipe.
- Meet your personal Google Assistant
Google Allow brings you the Google Assistant, preview edition. Find restaurants nearby, share videos to watch, and get answers, right in your conversation with friends. Add @google to your group conversation or chat one-on-one with your Assistant. It’s your own personal Google, always ready to help.
- Incognito mode
Send messages with end-to-end encryption, use private notifications to help keep your chats more discreet, and control how long your messages stick around with expiring chats.