Google Allo

Allo was announced at Google's developer conference on May 18, 2016.{{cite web |first=Ingrid |last=Lunden |title=Google debuts Allo, an AI-based chat app using its new assistant bot, smart replies and more |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/18/google-allo-chat-app/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} At the time, Google said that it would release Allo in summer 2016,{{cite web |first=Dieter |last=Bohn |title=Allo is a messaging app with Google built right in |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/18/11699122/google-allo-messaging-app-announced-io-2016 |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} and they launched it on September 21, 2016.{{cite web |first=Samuel |last=Gibbs |title=Google launches WhatsApp competitor Allo – with Google Assistant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/21/google-whatsapp-allo-google-assistant |website=The Guardian |date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} During the unveiling of Google's Pixel smartphone in October 2016, it announced that Allo would be pre-installed on the Pixel phones, along with its sister app, Google Duo.{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Rakowski |title=Introducing Pixel, our new phone made by Google |url=https://blog.google/products/pixel/introducing-pixel-our-new-phone-made-google/ |website=The Keyword Google Blog |date=October 4, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} In February 2017, a tweet by Google's Vice President of Communications Nick Fox showed a screenshot of Allo running as a web app, along with the words: "Still in early development, but coming to a desktop near you..."{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Fox |title=Still in early development, but coming to a desktop near you... #GoogleAllo #SneakPeek |url=https://twitter.com/RealNickFox/status/834922302772916224 |publisher=Twitter |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Dieter |last=Bohn |title=Google's Allo chat app is finally coming to desktop — eventually |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/23/14721280/google-allo-chat-app-desktop-web-app |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Lawler |title=Google Allo's desktop client is in the works |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/24/google-allos-desktop-client-is-in-the-works/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2017}} A further tweet from Fox in May stated that the web client was "a month or two from public release."{{cite web|last1=Fox|first1=Nick|title=I'm using web client every day and loving it . Team is working hard to get it out ASAP, but we're still a month or two from public release.|url=https://twitter.com/RealNickFox/status/862749304691212288|website=Twitter|access-date=July 19, 2017|date=May 12, 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Whitwam|first1=Ryan|title=The Allo web client is still a month or two from release, says Google's Nick Fox|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/05/17/allo-web-client-still-month-two-release-says-googles-nick-fox/|website=Android Police|access-date=July 19, 2017|date=May 17, 2017}}

In August, Google Allo for web went live for Android users using Google Chrome,{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Stephen|title=Google Allo for web rolling out, and you can try it now w/ Allo 16 for Android [Gallery]|url=https://9to5google.com/2017/08/15/google-allo-for-web-rolling-out-now-try-it-out-w-allo-16-for-android/|website=9to5Google|publisher=9to5|access-date=August 16, 2017|date=August 15, 2017}} while Firefox, Opera and iOS support was rolled out in October.{{cite web|last1=Whitwam|first1=Ryan|title=Allo for web adds support for Firefox, Opera, and iOS|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/10/03/allo-web-adds-support-firefox-opera-ios/|website=Android Police|access-date=October 4, 2017|date=October 3, 2017}}

In April 2018, it was reported that Google would be "pausing" development of Allo. Anil Sabharwal, the new head of the communications group at Google, stated that its employees would work primarily on its implementation of the carrier-based Rich Communication Services (RCS) Universal Profile, under the branding "Chat". This was implemented within the Android Messages app used for SMS.{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/04/google-gives-up-on-google-allo-hopes-carriers-will-sort-out-rcs-messaging/|title=Google gives up on Google Allo, hopes carriers will sort out RCS messaging|work=Ars Technica|access-date=2018-04-20|language=en-us}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/19/17252486/google-android-messages-chat-rcs-anil-sabharwal-imessage-texting|title=Exclusive: Chat is Google's next big fix for Android's messaging mess|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-04-20}}{{cite web|title=Google is 'pausing investment' in Allo|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/19/17253308/google-allo-texting-paused-android-messages|website=The Verge|date=April 19, 2018}}

In December 2018, Google announced they would end support for Allo in March 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blog.google/products/messages/latest-messages-allo-duo-and-hangouts/|title= The latest on Messages, Allo, Duo and Hangouts|date= December 5, 2018}} A final update to the app allowed users to export chat messages from Allo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/11/18135966/google-allo-how-to-save-back-up-chats-photos-files|title = How to save your Google Allo chats before the app is shut down|date = December 11, 2018}} The Allo service shut down completely on March 14, 2019, with its homepage recommending users to try Google's Messages app as an alternative.{{Cite web|url=https://allo.google.com/|title=Allo is signing off|date=2019-03-14|website=Google|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}

File:Google Allo Whisper Shout.gif 2016]]

Allo was based on phone numbers, not by social media or email accounts.{{cite web |first=Megan |last=Geuss |title=Google's Allo and Duo are 2 communication apps based on your phone number |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/googles-allo-and-duo-are-2-communication-apps-based-on-your-phone-number/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} Allo's "Smart reply" feature used Google's machine learning technology to suggest a reply to the last message, which could be selected from a few options. The feature also analyzed images sent to the user in order to suggest responses. Similar to the smart reply feature seen in Google's Inbox app, it learnt from the user's behavior to adapt its suggestions over time.{{cite web |first=Nicole |last=Lee |title=Please don't send me Smart Replies |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/05/19/google-smart-replies-are-dehumanizing/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} Allo was one of the apps that supported Google Assistant, a virtual assistant that allows users to ask questions and receive answers in a two-way conversational nature. Additional features include "Whisper Shout", which allows the user to increase or decrease the size of a message to represent volume,{{cite web |first=Damon |last=Beres |title=Google Debuts A New Texting App You'll Actually Want To Use |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/google-allo-whisper-shout_us_573ca974e4b0646cbeebc4c6 |website=The Huffington Post |publisher=AOL |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} and the ability to draw on photos before sending them.

In November 2016, Google introduced Smart Smiley, a feature that suggested emojis and stickers depending on the mood of the message. Smart Smiley also showed suggestions when starting a new conversation. In addition, background themes for chats were added at the same time.{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Stephen|title=Google Allo gets expected background themes, emoji suggestions, Fantastic Beasts stickers|url=https://9to5google.com/2016/11/16/google-allo-gets-expected-background-themes-emoji-suggestions-fantastic-beasts-stickers/|website=9to5Google|publisher=9to5|access-date=September 10, 2017|date=November 16, 2016}}

In March 2017, a GIF library was added in the compose bar, as well as easier one-tap access to the Google Assistant, and animated emoji.{{cite web|last1=Schoon|first1=Ben|title=Google Allo picks up improved Assistant integration, animated emoji on Android and iOS|url=https://9to5google.com/2017/03/02/google-allo-assistant-animated-emoji-gif-library-android-ios/|website=9to5Google|publisher=9to5|access-date=September 12, 2017|date=March 2, 2017}} Also in March was an update that let Android users send various types of files, including PDFs, documents, APKs, ZIP archives, and MP3 tracks through Allo.{{cite web |first=Mario |last=Queiroz |title=Google for Brazil: Building a more inclusive internet for everyone, everywhere |url=https://blog.google/topics/internet-access/google-brazil-building-more-inclusive-internet-everyone-everywhere/ |website=The Keyword Google Blog |date=March 22, 2017 |access-date=March 22, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Nikki |last=Erlick |title=Google announces app updates to Allo, Duo, and Photos |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/22/15024736/google-allo-duo-photos-updates-announced |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=March 22, 2017 |access-date=March 22, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Sholtz |title=Google Allo Android users everywhere can now share documents and other files [APK Download] |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/03/22/starting-today-google-allo-android-users-everywhere-will-able-share-documents-files/ |website=Android Police |date=March 22, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2017}} In May, the app was updated to allow users to backup and restore chats, it added an Incognito mode for group chats, and introduced previews for links.{{cite web |first=Ryne |last=Hager |title=[Update: APK Download] Chat backups, link previews, and group incognito are coming to Google Allo today |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/05/04/chat-backups-link-previews-group-incognito-coming-google-allo-today/ |website=Android Police |date=May 4, 2017 |access-date=May 4, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Micah |last=Singleton |title=Google is still updating Allo, adding link previews, chat backups, and group incognito mode |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/4/15542692/google-allo-update-link-previews-chat-backups-incognito |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=May 4, 2017 |access-date=May 4, 2017}} Later the same month, Fast Company reported that Google updated Allo to add cartoon stickers on selfie photos, powered by artificial intelligence technology capable of producing "563 quadrillion face" animations.{{cite web |first=Cliff |last=Kuang |title=Exclusive: Google's New AI Tool Turns Your Selfies Into Emoji |url=https://www.fastcodesign.com/90124964/exclusive-new-google-tool-uses-ai-to-create-custom-emoji-of-you-from-a-selfie |website=Fast Company |publisher=Mansueto Ventures |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=May 17, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Chaim |last=Gartenberg |title=Google Allo can now turn your selfies into cartoon stickers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/11/15626690/google-allo-selfies-cartoon-stickers-emoji-neural-network-machine-learning |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=May 17, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Timothy J. |last=Seppala |title=Google' Allo chat app crafts custom emoji using your selfies |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/11/google-allo-machine-learning-emoji-steven-universe/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=May 17, 2017}} Complementing selfie stickers, Google also launched "selfie clips", short looped videos of the user's face.{{cite web |first=Timothy J. |last=Seppala |title=Google's latest addition to Allo is custom GIFs of your face |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/31/google-allo-selfie-gif-clips/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=May 31, 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Cody |last=Toombs |title=Allo v12 adds animated selfie clips and a redesigned compose bar, prepares to add support for the 'enter' button, and more [APK Teardown] |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/05/31/allo-v12-adds-animated-selfie-clips-and-a-redesigned-compose-bar-prepares-to-add-support-for-the-enter-button-and-more-apk-teardown/ |website=Android Police |date=May 31, 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2017}} In June, the ability to make Google Duo video or audio calls directly from Allo chats was included.{{cite web|last1=Hager|first1=Ryne|title=[Update: APK Download] You can initiate a Duo call from Allo starting today|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/06/19/can-start-duo-call-allo-starting-today/|website=Android Police|access-date=July 19, 2017 |date=June 19, 2017}} The following month saw message reactions being added, where users could tap on a heart below messages received.{{cite web|last1=Whitwam|first1=Ryan|title=Google updates Allo to v14 with message reactions [APK Download]|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/07/17/google-updates-allo-v14-message-reactions-apk-download/|website=Android Police|access-date=July 19, 2017 |date=July 17, 2017}} An in-chat translation feature appeared to some users in version 17 and rolled out to all in version 18, the latter of which was released in September.{{cite web|last1=Toombs|first1=Cody|title=Allo's in-chat translation feature is rolling out to everybody, v18 also brings adaptive icons [APK Download]|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/09/07/allos-chat-translation-feature-rolling-everybody-v18-also-brings-adaptive-icons-apk-download/|website=Android Police|access-date=September 9, 2017|date=September 7, 2017}} Group chat controls, which could be switched on for new group chats, were added in November 2017.{{cite web|last1=Li|first1=Abner|title=Google Allo adds Selfie clips and group chat controls to kick out, ban members|url=https://9to5google.com/2017/11/15/google-allo-22-group-admin-controls-selfie-clips/|website=9to5Google|access-date=November 17, 2017|date=November 15, 2017}} In version 25, automatic transcriptions for audio messages appeared, though this could be disabled in settings.{{cite web|last1=Toombs|first1=Cody|title=Allo v25 enables automatic transcriptions for audio messages, may hint at threaded conversations [APK Teardown]|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/12/14/allo-v25-enables-automatic-transcriptions-audio-messages-may-hint-threaded-conversations-apk-teardown/|website=Android Police|access-date=December 16, 2017|date=December 14, 2017}}

Incognito mode was an optional mode that included expiring chats, private notifications, and end-to-end encryption. For encryption, the app used the Signal Protocol.{{cite journal |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |title=With Allo and Duo, Google Finally Encrypts Conversations End-to-End |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/05/allo-duo-google-finally-encrypts-conversations-end-end |journal=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} Incognito mode did not include any Smart Reply or Google Assistant features. When the user received a sticker from a sticker pack that they did not already have installed on their device, the app retrieved the sticker from Google's servers using security, but not end-to-end encryption.{{cite web |title=Chat in private with Incognito mode |url=https://support.google.com/allo/answer/6383724 |website=Google Allo Help |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=October 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009015723/https://support.google.com/allo/answer/6383724 |url-status=dead }}

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".{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Hachman |title=Hands-on: Google Assistant's Allo chatbot outdoes Cortana, Siri as your digital pal |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3122482/android/hands-on-google-assistants-allo-chatbot-outdoes-cortana-siri-as-your-digital-pal.html |website=PC World |publisher=International Data Group |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}}

Following Allo's introduction at Google I/O, Google was criticized 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.{{cite web |first=Liam |last=Tung |title=NSA whistleblower Snowden: Google Allo without default encryption is 'dangerous' |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/nsa-whistleblower-snowden-google-allo-without-default-encryption-is-dangerous/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} Edward Snowden, whistleblower and former NSA contractor, criticized the app on Twitter, saying that "Google's decision to disable end-to-end encryption by default in its new #Allo chat app is dangerous, and makes it unsafe."{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Hackett |title=Here's Why Privacy Savants Are Blasting Google Allo |url=http://fortune.com/2016/05/21/google-allo-privacy-2/ |website=Fortune |publisher=Time Inc. |date=May 21, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}}

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.{{cite web |first=Kate |last=Conger |title=Google engineer says he'll push for default end-to-end encryption in Allo |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/19/google-engineer-says-hell-push-for-default-end-to-end-encryption-in-allo/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}} However, he later retracted the statement.{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Goodin |title=Incensing critics, Google engineer ends push for crypto-only setting in Allo |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/05/incensing-critics-google-engineer-ends-push-for-crypto-only-setting-in-allo/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}}

When Allo was first introduced, its developers talked about storing non-incognito messages only "transiently and in non-identifiable form". At launch, Google revealed that they would instead store all non-incognito messages indefinitely (or until the user deleted them) in order to improve the built-in "smart reply" feature. Russell 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".{{cite web |first=Russell |last=Brandom |title=Google backs off on previously announced Allo privacy feature |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/21/12994362/allo-privacy-message-logs-google |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016}}

Reports surfaced in March 2017 that a bug with the Google Assistant in the Allo app would accidentally share results in a conversation from an individual's search history, despite the search not being previously mentioned by the other chat participant or previously in the conversation. Google acknowledged the issue, and stated that it had been fixed.{{cite web |first=Tess |last=Townsend |title=Google's Allo app can reveal to your friends what you've searched |url=http://www.recode.net/2017/3/13/14912394/google-allo-search-history-privacy-messaging-app |website=Recode |publisher=Vox Media |date=March 13, 2017 |access-date=March 14, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Aatif |last=Sulleyman |title=Google can randomly share your search history with friends through its new messaging app |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-allo-search-history-revealed-messaging-app-a7630001.html |website=The Independent |date=March 14, 2017 |access-date=March 14, 2017}}

• Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients
• Messages (Google)
• Google Duo
• Google Hangouts
• Google Chat
• Google Spaces

{{Reflist}}

{{Google LLC}}

{{Instant messaging}}

Allo

Allo

Category:Android (operating system) software

Category:IOS software

Category:Cross-platform software

Category:2016 software

Category:Defunct instant messaging clients