Google has announced the launch of Allo, the messaging app first unveiled at its I/O conference in May that features artificial intelligence-powered response prompts and uses the company's new personal assistant software Google Assistant. The app's 'Smart Reply' feature suggests standard replies to messages based on context and learning the user's patterns; the reply may be text, emojis, stickers or photos. Smart Reply will improve over time and adjust to the user’s style, said Google in a blog post.
The Google Assistant feature can be called up within a conversation by typing the tag “@google” before entering text. “You can easily move from discussing dinner with friends to making plans for the night, right in your chat. Just add the Assistant to your group chat and ask for movie times, local restaurants and more,” said Google. The personal assistant software can also be used to interact with the search giant one-on-one via Allo, by asking it for the latest information on everything from news, weather, traffic, sports or future flights.
Google also added a Chrome-style 'Incognito mode' to Allo, with end-to-end encryption, discreet notifications and message expiration, to respond to growing concerns about privacy and security.
Google said it’s already started to roll out Allo for Android and iOS, and the app will be available worldwide in the next few days.
