What Google Allo’s launch means for chatbots

After months of anticipation and teases from some of Google’s developers, the company’s new Allo messaging app is finally here.

In case you missed it, Allo is the latest messaging app that’s touted by Google as smarter.

The Pixel phones may also become the beginning of the end for Hangouts, as it is noted that they will include Allo as the default messaging app.

However, the priority reason would be the artificial intelligence that comes with the app.

Still, Google Allo offers something we haven’t seen before in a messaging app.

An early iteration of the Google Assistant is also built into the Allo app. If you’re curious how long your flight is, or need to quickly access your booking confirmation number, one swipe on your smartphone puts everything at your fingertips.

The app has a “Smart Reply” feature that suggests responses to chats and can be sent with just a tap.

Allo also uses machine-learning and natural language processing in order to suggest replies on the fly, meaning it can anticipate what you want to say next and how you might say it. There are two major features missing from Allo: the ability to chat using a computer and using third-party apps and games to do more within messages.

Allo does not have a default end-to-end encryption like WhatsApp, but rather like Google Chrome, it provides an “incognito” mode to activate E2E encryption.

One thing that hinders the app’s expansion is that its usage depends on how you can convince your friends and family to make the switch.

Google said it was still improving and refining its algorithms, and Allo’s assistant will get better over time.

Free for download today: Google Mail, Google Maps, and Google Surveillance. As with Google Photos and numerous search giant’s other free services, by using Allo you’re helping Google train its artificial intelligence and giving up some expectation of privacy in the process. Texting someone who doesn’t have Allo will re-route your message through a random five-digit number that looks like spam and simply prompts them to download the app. It has the same smart Google Assistant as Google Home built in.

At least, Google Allo has the advantage of the “Incognito Mode”. With the help of chips and processors, Google created their systems very mobile. Then there is Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, both of which are considered efficient computer personal assistants.

Like rival apps, it has tools for personalising chat messages including changing the size of emojis and a choice of stickers. Google did have their “Hangout” and “Google Now” but this is different.

If you want my opinion on whether you should install and use Allo, I can tell you the answer is: Yes, of course you should. You won’t be able to send the message.