Search giant Google has introduced two new apps: Allo, a smart messaging app and Duo, a video calling app.
Google says its smart messaging app-Allo which is based on the user’s phone number lets users can get in touch with anyone in their phonebook will make conversations easier and more expressive. Google hopes that with deeply integrated machine learning, Allo has smart features to keep users conversations flowing.
Allo features Smart Reply built-in which is similar to inbox, so users can respond to messages without typing a single word, Google says, explaining that the Smart Reply also works with photos, providing intelligent suggestions related to the content of the photo. If the user’s friend sends the user a photo of tacos, for example, the user may see Smart Reply suggestions like “yummy” or “I love tacos.”
Allo, according to Google, also features the Google assistant, bringing the richness of Google directly into users’ chats by helping users find information, get things done and have fun.
Users can chat one-on-one with the assistant, or call on Google in a group chat with friends, Google says, stressing that either way, users no longer have to jump between apps to do things like book a dinner reservation with friends, get up-to-date sports scores, settle a bet, or play a game.
The Google assistant in Allo, as stated by Google lets users bring things like Search, Maps, YouTube and Translate to all their conversations, so that users and their friends can use Google together and the Google assistant also understands users world, so users can ask for things like their agenda for the day, details of their flight and hotel, or photos from their last trip.
And since it understands natural language patterns, the technology company says users can just chat normal and it will understand what they are saying. For example, “Is my flight delayed?” and the Google assistant will return information about the flight status.
The software company further says that it recognized the fact that Privacy and security are important in messaging, so following in the footsteps of Chrome, it created Incognito mode in Allo. Chats in Incognito mode will have end-to-end encryption and discreet notifications; Google says adding that the company will continue to add new features to this mode.
Describing the video calling app, Google says Duo is a simple, fast one-to-one video calling app for everyone, whether on Android or iOS, a fast or slow connection and like Allo, Duo is based on the user’s phone number, allowing users to reach anyone in their phonebook and its simple interface fades away when in a call, so it’s just the two users.
Google also says one of its favorite features of Duo is Knock Knock, which shows the user a live video preview of the caller before the user picks up. Knock Knock invites you into the moment, making calls feel spontaneous and fun, the software company adds.
The software company noted that Duo calls are in crisp HD video (up to 720p) and audio, saying that Duo has been optimised to work well even on spotty networks, so if bandwidth is limited it gracefully adjusts quality so users are still able to connect.
The company adds that it also seamlessly transition calls between cellular and Wi-Fi, so users don’t need to worry about what network they are on and in addition, Duo was built with privacy and security in mind and all calls on Duo are end-to-end encrypted.
Both Allo and Duo will be available this summer on Android and iOS, Google says.
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