Reply (Google)

{{Short description|App by Area 120, Google's experimental workshop}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}

Reply was an app by Area 120, Google's experimental workshop, released to closed beta testing in February 2018,{{cite web |last=Ghoshal |first=Abhimanyu |date=February 21, 2018 |title=Google's Reply is shaping up to be the messaging assistant of my dreams |url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2018/02/21/googles-reply-app-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-messaging-assistant-of-my-dreams/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |publisher=The Next Web}} and shortly after reported as leaked.{{cite news |last=Hager |first=Ryne |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Hands-on: Google's 'Reply' gives other apps concise Smart Replies - when it isn't throwing shade |work=Android Police |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/02/20/hands-googles-reply-gives-apps-concise-smart-replies-isnt-throwing-shade/ |access-date=2022-09-29}} The app allowed users to insert pre-defined replies called "Smart Replies" into conversations on messaging apps on their phone such as Facebook Messenger, Slack and Google Hangouts. The beta testing was cancelled in October, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Hager |first=Ryne |date=2018-10-10 |title=Google ends its 'Reply' app experiment which brought smart replies to third-party apps |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/10/10/google-ends-reply-app-experiment-brought-smart-replies-third-party-apps/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Android Police |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Garun |first=Natt |date=February 22, 2018 |title=Google’s Reply app is woefully bland — exactly the way it should be |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/21/17036126/google-smart-reply-app-slack-facebook-messenger-whatsapp-hangouts-hands-on |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=The Verge}}

Reply suggested various responses to questions or statements based on statements by the user's conversation partner. The suggested replies varied according to the type of incoming message (detected by the tone, contents of the message, and the user's context, which may trigger "Vacation responder" or "Urgent" types of automatic replies). Additionally, based on the phone accelerometer, Reply was able to determine whether the user was in a vehicle or biking and could auto-respond appropriately. It could also reply appropriately when the user was sleeping. The user can see the suggested responses in their notifications and decide if they want to send one of them from the notification without having to open the app in which the response is sent.{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Cat |date=2018-02-22 |title=How to try Google Reply – the new social media chatbot that pretends to be you |url=https://www.techradar.com/how-to/try-google-reply-the-new-social-media-chatbot-that-pretends-to-be-you |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}