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Google Launches Intelligent Messaging App 'Allo'

AustinIllini said:
The fact that they didn't launch Allo as a replacement for Google Messenger on Android says a lot about the future of this product. It should have been an SMS replacement with full desktop, tablet, and phone integration.
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I'd guess there are anti-trust ramifications involved with this decision. And I'm sure carriers and OEMs would have a hissy fit about not being able to make their own messaging apps default on their devices.

It's a huge advantage for Apple since they control the stack and also why, and on top of being this late to the messaging game, Google's messaging solutions, including Allo, will be also-rans.
 
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tbayrgs said:
I'd guess there are anti-trust ramifications involved with this decision. And I'm sure carriers and OEMs would have a hissy fit about not being able to make their own messaging apps default on their devices.

It's a huge advantage for Apple since they control the stack and also why, and on top of being this late to the messaging game, Google's messaging solutions, including Allo, will be also-rans.
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I see your point, but the Pixel probably will ship with Google Messenger as the default messaging app. That's unacceptable with Allo now on the market.
 
AustinIllini said:
I see your point, but the Pixel probably will ship with Google Messenger as the default messaging app. That's unacceptable with Allo now on the market.
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Completely agree. But in reality, making Allo the default on Pixel phones wouldn't even register a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of things.

UPDATE: So, a little more reading and I discovered that while Allo will use SMS relay to send a message to an iPhone user who doesn't have Allo installed, they could only reply to it. If this initiate a new message, it'll come back through SMS channels, meaning through Hangouts, Google Messenger, or whatever one's set up as their default SMS app. And there is no MMS relay. :(
 
I believe that Allo will succeed under one circumstance: Google makes it the default messaging app within Android from now on. Assuming Allo is the default app on the Google Pixel, and assuming that the Pixel does well over the next 2-3 years, Google may have something on their hands.

Why is iMessage so popular? Because every iPhone has it installed, by default. And every iPhone is up-to-date with the latest software. But to expect Allo to become the go-to messaging app from the App Store/Play Store? I think it's too little, too late. People are in too deep with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
 
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Wow, all I can come away with from that video is the cojones it took for Google to use Dr Dre rapping in their video (and Dre / NWA allowing them the rights to do so)!:eek:
 
The fact that DUO wants to share your contacts info with Google makes me believe that Allo will be the same. I'l pass. iMessage on iOS 10 gets the job done with flying colors!
 
Another messaging app that Google will abandon when Android O launches next year. Sigh. Blah...don't worry, they are already working on a Allo replacement.
 
Super excited for Allo and immediately downloaded it when I found out it was released.

Uninstalled it. Sticking with Google Messenger for now. I agree Allo should have been new Messenger.
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nfl46 said:
Another messaging app that Google will abandon when Android O launches next year. Sigh. Blah...
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But then we'll get an announcement that Google is working on Popua as the new messaging app!
 
Yeah no... I like most of Google's services, but just like G+ and Hangouts, it still stores your messages.
Manually changing to Incognito mode EVERY TIME you want to send a message, is a pain.
It should be a global setting that one can make permanent if they choose.
I don't care about the assistant functions. I just want a nice looking, secure messaging app that's cross platform.
I hate WhatsApp and Telegram.

Wish Apple would make iMessage cross platform. Problem solved.
 
Downloaded and ran it but when it prompted for cell # wasn't sure if I could put in my Google Voice/Hangouts # which is my primary or carrier # (backup). Decided just to skip it for now since bloated messaging isn't as important as Hangouts free calls to/from landline/cell and universal SMS/MMS within North America over WIFI or LTE, multiline support, voicemail transcription, access from PC browser, etc.
 
tbayrgs said:
This is sadly a deal breaker for me. I like how it has SMS relay for iOS users but being able to only use the app on a single smartphone is a non-starter. I reply to messages all day from any one of my Apple device--so easy to quickly reply, especially using a full hardware keyboard, to both iMessages and SMS/MMS.

Ugh....I really want to switch back to Android full time but it's these kinds of things that keep me from doing it.
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Pushbullet for SMS, Hangouts for... Hangouts. Yes, a single unified thing would be much better, but until Allo - which I'm unsure will catch on - I can handle all my messaging needs from my Mac, and all non-iMessage ones from my work PC.
 
Wandered over to Android Central to see first impressions of the Android faithful and boy, is Allo taking a beating. Nary a good thing said about it any where--consensus is that it does nothing to improve the messaging experience over Hangouts and is pretty much DOA. Ouch.
 
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