What is Google Allo?
Google Allo is a new chat app introduced by Google which works for both, Android and iPhone devices. The messaging app is described to do a lot more than just send messages to other people. The app also allows to send pictures, share fun stickers. It also work for group chats, thus making conversations easier. The messaging app is claimed to be a smart app which has the power of Google built-in and can apparently learn over time. Allo has the Google Assistant built in which makes it all the more user friendly. The app has a smart reply feature which lets you keep the conversation moving with a single tap by suggesting text and emoji responses.
Google Allo is listed in the Communication category of app store. It allows users to visit Google Commerce Ltd website to know more about the company/developer who developed this. The app can be downloaded and installed on android devices supporting 16 api and above. Download the app using a suitable browser and click on install to install the app. This instant messaging app provides original and pure apk file while availing faster download speed than other applications.
Google Allo’s Personal Assistant
Google Allo is the instant messaging application which has built in Google Assistant. It is Google’s latest iteration of a virtual assistant that makes Google Allo useful. The built in Google Assistant is said to promote an ongoing two-way dialogue scenario to make conversations uninterrupted. The assistant tends to learn things about it’s users as when they use and use that information for further usage. Google Assistant in the Google Allo app aids users in the following ways:
- Lets users to chat one-on-one with an individual or be a part of any group chat
- If users connect to their Google Account to Allo, their Google Assistant can give more
- Personalized information, like set agendas or photos.
- Helps users with a variety of tasks and information
- Searches for nearby events & restaurants
- Keeps a track of users agendas
- Provides latest sports updates
- Translates phrases in over 100 languages
- Helps with many other tasks
Google Allo: App Information
App Download Version – 26.0.058_RC05 (armeabi-v7a_mdpi)
Last Updated – Jan. 23, 2018
Apk Size – Varies with device
App by – Google Commerce Ltd
Category – Free Communication App
Content Rating – PEGI 3
Support Android Version – Android 16 and above
How does Allo Communication Work?
Allo app identifies users by its phone numbers which is beneficial because it means they don’t have to fiddle with account setup. It allows to associate their Allo account with their main Google ID or keep it different, as and how is suitable for users. Google Allo also provides an add on advantage of automatically saving users phone’s main contacts to the app, making the whole process faster. If the user’s friends have the app already installed, the contact appears on the top.
For iPhone as well as Android, the application has a SMS facility to inform the users contact list about the app. If you are an iPhone user, your contact list receives an SMS with your name, the contents of your message, and a link to download the app. Google has set up a full SMS relay so that your recalcitrant friends can avoid installing it at all if they don’t want to. If you’re an Android user, periodic updation are received. Google calls these updates as an “app preview notification,” where your friend gets notified directly to install the app. Your recipient can reply within the notification, or tap on it to install the app. This system of pushing out the full contents of messages while still offering an easy way to download is a clever way of creating a network effect.
Check the video to know more about how Google Allo works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSz6FVcxipw
Google Allo APK: Permissions Required
Google Allo 26.0.058_RC05 (armeabi-v7a_mdpi) apk requires following permissions on an android device.
- prevent processor from sleeping or screen from dimming.
- read SMS messages.
- receive SMS messages.
- open network sockets.
- access information about networks.
- access information about Wi-Fi networks.
- read the user’s contacts data.
- write the user’s contacts data.
- read the sync settings.
- write the sync settings.
- read only access to phone state.
- access to the vibrator.
- access the camera device.
- write to external storage.
- read from external storage.
- record audio.
- install a shortcut in Launcher.
- access approximate location.
- access precise location.
- write the user’s calendar data.
- read the user’s calendar data.
- set an alarm for the user.
- find out the space used by any package.
- list of accounts in the Accounts Service.
Key Features of Google Allo
Google Allo is the most novel version of a messaging app that is proving to be a tough competition to all it’s competitors. This application comes with a list of features that make it worth investing time in. The different attributes of the Google Allo include:
Google Assistant Support
Google Allo is integrated with Google Assistant which helps users to search things on the app. This way, the search feature is included to the app. Google Assistant helps users to get the best information on sections ranging from, hotels, movie theatre to flights and more. It also acts a feature to pass time. Wherein the user can have a conversation with the chatbot. It also allows users to invoke the assistant directly from within a chat window by typing.
Smarter Replies
The instant messaging app comes equipped with a Smart Reply feature that makes conversations easier and faster. This feature basically provides suggestions to users while having a conversation. It basically uses artificial intelligence to read the context of the conversation and suggest words depending on the reply patterns of the users.For all the texts or images, there are a certain set of suggestions offered to the users while texting.
Bigger Texts
Google Allo is all about making users comfortable while having a conversation over texts. For this, the app has a novel feature of increasing the font size. This makes the text more visible thus making a point that the other person does not miss the message. The app enables users to increase the font size by pressing the slider button called “whisper and shot’ This is one of the rare feature that not many of its competitors have. It also allows to shrink down the enlarged text by sliding down the button.
Use & Customize Stickers
To make text conversations all the more fun, the messaging app has introduced stickers that come in all kinds of variety. They are considered to be one of the increasing famous medium of communication. With stickers the app aims at turning conversations funny by sharing something that is humorous in nature. For this feature to be introduced to the app, Google has worked with independent artist and studios which led them to launch 25 sticker packs. Messaging app Line pioneered the use of stickers in chats, and ever since most messaging platforms have gotten into the act.
Duo Calls via Allo
Google Allo is ideally known to be a text-only platform, but now it also allows making video calls through Google Duo from within the messaging app. The interface of the application is designed in a way where the user is able to see the icon for Duo in the conversation window itself, to start a video call. All the Duo calls made through this app are available in HD quality. This feature by Google Allo is definitely making conversations more real and in person.
Go Incognito
The feature of switching to an incognito mode by Google Allo makes conversations between users all the more secure. It basically is built on the company’s open signal protocol. This feature by the application expires the chat once the conversation is over.
Allo Web: Now Available for Desktops
Google Allo instant messaging app is also available on web browser along with the mobile application. Allo for web only works on a computer. For users to utilize Google Allo on web, there are certain things to know and steps to follow.
How to get started with Google Allo?
Supported browser: Allo for web only works on Chrome, Firefox, or Opera browsers.
Allo app on your phone: Make sure you’ve installed and registered the latest version of Allo.
Allo for web in mobile app: In your Allo mobile app’s menu, check that you see “Allo for web.”
How to connect the Allo app to the browser?
The QR code for Allo for web is unique to every users computer and pairs the mobile app to the computer. Allo for web shows what’s on the mobile app. So if your phone runs out of battery or you quit the mobile app, Allo for web won’t work. Following the steps mentioned below to step up Allo for web
- On your computer, open Allo for web.
- On your phone, open Allo.
- Tap Menu > Allo for web > Scan QR Code.
- Scan the QR code that’s on Allo for web. If connected, Allo for web will open on the browser.
Pros and Cons of Google Allo
Pros:
- Google Assistant Assistance
- Quick Search Options
- Reply Suggestions
- Selective Encryption
- Smart Recognition
- Additional Features like stickers
Cons:
- Supports only English
- Cannot Share Documents
- No Chat Backup Option
Google Allo Competitors
- WhatsApp Messenger
- Hike Messenger
- Hangouts
- Telegram
- Skype
- Viber
Google Allo vs Hangouts
Application Setup
Google Allo – Setting up an account on Google Allo is a way to simple process. It completely depends on your phone number more than your account. On downloading the application, it asks for your phone number for a confirmation and sends a message to it. That’s it, your account is all ready to use!
Hangouts – Making an account on Hangouts is not so difficult either. The application only asks you to simply log in with your Google account. The thing with this app is it allows you to use multiple accounts which is not the case with most instant messaging apps.
Basic Chatting
Google Allo – Google Allo handles chats in a very diverse manner. It enables users to start a chat with any contact or with a group which is not dissimilar from many messaging apps. Its is noticed that Allo is more aware of what’s happening in conversations because Google Assistant worms its way through everything said on the chat which makes it ready to offer Smart Reply suggestions.
Hangouts – Like Google Allo, the smart reply feature is not available on Hangouts. This makes conversations slow and tedious. If you want to highlight something in Hangouts, you have to resort to the age-old method of using all caps to make your text size larger. With Allo, there’s the send slider, which is not available on Hangouts.
Settings & Extra Features
Google Allo – Speaking about message settings, it has common functionalities just like all other instant messaging apps. The extra features that the app has is something that makes Google Allo stand out. With features more than one, available to make the users conversation easier, this app definitely shines among its competitors.
Hangouts – This app is sad to have settings that are found in all kinds of messaging apps. Along with, the features offered by Hangouts are quite common when compared to Google Allo. In comparison to Allo, Hangouts does not have as many extra features to get considered.
Device Support
Google Allo – Google Allo is supported only on iPhone and Android phones. This makes the app a little restrictive. Because the app does not work on tablets or other such devices. To make things simpler, Allo is now available for web which can be used through a computer.
Hangouts – Hangouts is one application that is available everywhere on all kinds of devices. This proves to be an advantage since the application can be used from any device which obviously avoids interruption in conversations.
Why Choose Google Allo Over Other Instant Messaging Apps?
Google Allo is one instant messaging application that deserves a try at least once. As the user gets adapted to the app, it is considered to be one of the most user friendly method to have online conversation. It claims to have the most powerful set of features and for all it is available free of cost. Since the app is also tied to your phone number, it enables you to text anyone in your phonebook. An app that allows you to doodle on photos, book reservations and seek assistance from Google Assistant, switch to an Incognito Mode, allows to video call through Google Allo, all on a single interface is definitely something users love to have. With all the features already mentioned, there are reasons more than one to choose Google Allo.
SEE ALSO: Google’s Launchpad Studio to Welcome Ten Financial AI Startups
Conclusion
Considering all the features and pro’s mentioned of Google Allo, it is said to be one of the most distinctive instant messaging app available in the market. If you are a user of online texting applications, you should definitely try using Google Allo. Head to the Play Store to download it right away!
