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Google Allo and Duo

epicrayban said:
Why Google isn't pooling their resources together to make one unified chat app across multiple platforms is beyond me.

At this point, one must believe this is intentional. They just have no interest in really making one chat app.
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It maybe too late at this point. Whatsapp. viber and facebook messenger are the top 3 cross platform messengers.
 
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Zaft said:
No because imessage has sms built in.
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Hangouts has SMS capabilities as well.. in fact.. the Hangouts app is feature rich is the main problem.. it tries to do everything.
Anyway.. tested Duo out when I went away for work recently and the experience was as good as FaceTime if not better.
Additionally, Allo has been great as well.. I only use it with the wife mind you.
I would prefer SMS capability on Allo but not a deal breaker as I rarely SMS anyway.
Just need Google to tweak the SMS capability on Allo and push/promote the heck out of both Allo and Duo.. then I think we will have plausible alternatives for iMessage and FaceTime.
They both already have a cross platform advantage! 🙂
 
kkh786 said:
Hangouts has SMS capabilities as well.. in fact.. the Hangouts app is feature rich is the main problem.. it tries to do everything.
Anyway.. tested Duo out when I went away for work recently and the experience was as good as FaceTime if not better.
Additionally, Allo has been great as well.. I only use it with the wife mind you.
I would prefer SMS capability on Allo but not a deal breaker as I rarely SMS anyway.
Just need Google to tweak the SMS capability on Allo and push/promote the heck out of both Allo and Duo.. then I think we will have plausible alternatives for iMessage and FaceTime.
They both already have a cross platform advantage! 🙂
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I'm talking about iOS version.
 
After trialing Google Allo and Duo for the last six weeks I can definitely give them a thumbs up for ease of use!
I have been using those apps with my wife who has an iPhone 7.
It has been great and a better solution than the clunky Google Hangouts.
I have to admit I have not missed iMessage at all in the past few weeks.
For the record I mostly used to use iMessage with my wife so the transition has been smooth.. I can understand the dilemma of those who use it with more than one contact.
Nevertheless, I hope Google push the two apps so they become default on Android and hopefully add SMS to Allo for completeness.
 
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kkh786 said:
After trialing Google Allo and Duo for the last six weeks I can definitely give them a thumbs up for ease of use!
I have been using those apps with my wife who has an iPhone 7.
It has been great and a better solution than the clunky Google Hangouts.
I have to admit I have not missed iMessage at all in the past few weeks.
For the record I mostly used to use iMessage with my wife so the transition has been smooth.. I can understand the dilemma of those who use it with more than one contact.
Nevertheless, I hope Google push the two apps so they become default on Android and hopefully add SMS to Allo for completeness.
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In need to get my husband to test Duo on the iPhone with me. We use it on our Samsungs just fine. We tend to use FaceTime on iPhone but lately FaceTime has not been working well at all and we had to give up and resort to iMessage and sending pictures when one of us is at the store and needs the other to help make a selection.
 
Semi-related question:

With Hangouts latest changes, are we going to still be able to use Hangouts in Gmail (on desktop in Chrome)?
 
I find it hard to believe how bizarre Google's messaging strategy seems to be. They currently have four messages apps, or five if you count Voice. And now Messenger has become the newly-renamed and revamped "Android Messages." On top of that they are pushing RCS, which needs carrier support, handset support, and then of course app support.

It's even harder to believe that Facebook has done a better job.


Mike
 
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Tinmania said:
I find it hard to believe how bizarre Google's messaging strategy seems to be. They currently have four messages apps, or five if you count Voice. And now Messenger has become the newly-renamed and revamped "Android Messages." On top of that they are pushing RCS, which needs carrier support, handset support, and then of course app support.

It's even harder to believe that Facebook has done a better job.


Mike
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Facebook is my 2nd most used messenger app behind imessage.
But facebook has it easier as almost everyone has facebook.
 
Zaft said:
Facebook is my 2nd most used messenger app behind imessage.
But facebook has it easier as almost everyone has facebook.
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And on Android you can have FB Messenger as your SMS app. I don't know any of the 7 people who have actually done that, so can't comment on it. 🙂

Seriously though, FB Messenger is in my opinion not a bad messaging platform. Does well with pics and vids. The only thing I don't like is there doesn't seem to be a way to turn off read receipts. My wife freaks about that, and often won't open it in fear that a message she doesn't want to acknowledge reading yet will get marked read (meanwhile she already read it, or part of it, via the notification).



Mike
 
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Tinmania said:
And on Android you can have FB Messenger as your SMS app. I don't know any of the 7 people who have actually done that, so can't comment on it. 🙂

Seriously though, FB Messenger is in my opinion not a bad messaging platform. Does well with pics and vids. The only thing I don't like is there doesn't seem to be a way to turn off read receipts. My wife freaks about that, and often won't open it in fear that a message she doesn't want to acknowledge reading yet will get marked read (meanwhile she already read it, or part of it, via the notification).



Mike
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Yup messaging on Android continues to be a mess.
 
Tinmania said:
And on Android you can have FB Messenger as your SMS app. I don't know any of the 7 people who have actually done that, so can't comment on it. 🙂

Seriously though, FB Messenger is in my opinion not a bad messaging platform. Does well with pics and vids. The only thing I don't like is there doesn't seem to be a way to turn off read receipts. My wife freaks about that, and often won't open it in fear that a message she doesn't want to acknowledge reading yet will get marked read (meanwhile she already read it, or part of it, via the notification).



Mike
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I'm not thrilled with read receipts either. I just would read the text and say, "I'm on the go at the moment, tty--soon". Or "gotta check on some things, let me get back to you soon as I can." Most people are fine with that because, like me, they treat texts like emails...meaning they will get to it at their convenience when they can give their attention to it. Only a very few people that I know seem to expect full and immediate attention at all times for their texts. I knew one woman in particular like that and I simply stopped talking to her. She was taking over every bit of my time with loads of drama. I hope your wife isn't stuck with anyone like that.
 
kkh786 said:
Greetings all,

Having moved from iOS to Android (loving it by the way).. I am on the lookout for an iMessage and Facetime substitute as I am still interested in the same seamless experience.

The closest Android equivalents I have come across are the recently released Allo and Duo apps by Google themselves.

Have you guys have had any experience with Allo/Duo or is there something else better I can try (Hangouts is a not an option due to the overall crappy experience).

Does the Allo app compress pictures/videos when sent to a contact? I don't think iMessage compresses pictures.. not sure about videos.

PS. I mostly need the iMessage/Facetime functionality with the better half (she has the iPhone 7).. so not bothered at all about adoption by anyone else from my contacts or on a wider scale.

I look forward to your feedback.. and many thanks in anticipation! 🙂

KKH
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I thought about switch to Android but decided not to because I found out some Android apps like Allo and Duo are not compatible with my tablet. I'm disappointed but I'm glad I stay with iOS devices anyway.
 
I was going to try to get some family to switch. Then Google decided it would make Apple users wait, even though it is a massive company with plenty of developers to spare. So oh well. Whatever.
 
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For Facetime i use Hangouts or Facebook Messenger. Ive actually never used Allo and dont know what Duo is. Texting is either Hangouts or just the Messages app.
 
As previously stated the wife and I have been using Allo and Duo as iMessage and FaceTime replacements especially to cater for my platform switching tendencies (weak will power) for a while now and I can happily report them a viable alternative.
The functionality is nearly there with the regular updates.. Google need to push these apps on to mainstream somehow (make the mandatory on Oreo perhaps).
 
Zaft said:
It maybe too late at this point. Whatsapp. viber and facebook messenger are the top 3 cross platform messengers.
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Eh, I never heard of Viber so I'm guessing many others haven't either and I don't use WhatsApp either. Most that I know use the message app that comes with the phone while some may use Snapchat.
I only use FB messenger if someone messages me from it.
 
Vegastouch said:
Eh, I never heard of Viber so I'm guessing many others haven't either and I don't use WhatsApp either. Most that I know use the message app that comes with the phone while some may use Snapchat.
I only use FB messenger if someone messages me from it.
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Viber is used a lot in eastern europe.
 
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