27/09/2016
allo.google.com
Allo is an instant messaging mobile app developed by Google that includes a virtual assistant and provides a "smart reply" function that allows users to reply without typing.[2] It was announced at Google I/O on May 18, 2016[3] and launched on September 21, 2016.[1] The app is available on Android and iOS.[1]
History
Allo was announced at Google I/O on May 18, 2016.[3] At the time, Google said that it would release Allo in summer 2016.[4] Google launched the app on September 21, 2016.[1]
Features
Allo is based on phone numbers.[5]
Default mode
The Whisper Shout feature being demonstrated at Google I/O 2016
Allo's "Smart reply" function uses Google's machine learning technology to suggest a reply to the last message, which can be selected from a few options. The feature also analyses images sent to the user in order to suggest responses. Similar to the smart reply feature seen in Google's Inbox app, it learns from the user's behaviour to adapt its suggestions over time.[6] Allo is one of the apps that support Google Assistant, a conversational virtual assistant.[1]
"Whisper Shout" allows the user to increase or decrease the size of a message to represent volume.[7]
Allo also lets users draw on photos before sending them.[1]
Incognito mode
Incognito mode is an optional mode that includes expiring chats, private notifications, and end-to-end encryption. For encryption, the app uses the Signal Protocol.[8]
Incognito mode does not include any Smart Reply or Google Assistant features.[9] When the user receives a sticker from a sticker pack that they do not already have installed on their device, the app will retrieve the sticker from Google’s servers using client-to-server encryption.[9]
Reception
Virtual assistant
PC World’s Mark Hachman gave a favorable review of Allo's virtual assistant, saying that it was a "step up on Cortana and Siri".[10]
Optional encryption
Following Allo's introduction at Google I/O, Google was criticised by security experts and privacy advocates for having the end-to-end encryption turned off by default, which they argue leaves the app open to government surveillance.[8][11]Edward Snowden, whistleblower and former NSA contractor, criticised the app on Twitter, saying that "Google's decision to disable end-to-end encryption by default in its new chat app is dangerous, and makes it unsafe."[11][12] Thai Duong, a co-lead of Google's product security team, wrote in a personal blog post that he would push for the addition of a setting that would let users have the encryption on all the time, but he later retracted the statement.[13][14]
Message retention
When Allo was first introduced, its developers talked about storing non-incognito messages only transiently[4][15] — namely that the messages would be deleted from Google's servers after they had been delivered to their destination. At launch, Google revealed that they would instead store all non-incognito messages indefinitely (or until the user actively deleted them) in order to improve the built in "smart reply" feature.[15] Russel Brandom of The Verge commented that "the decision will have significant consequences for law enforcement access to Allo messages. By default, Allo messages will now be accessible to lawful warrant requests, the same as message data in Gmail and Hangouts".
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