Allo (app)
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 A screenshot of Allo, showing the "smart reply" feature
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| Developer(s) | |
|---|---|
| Initial release | Summer 2016 |
| Development status | Testing phase |
| Operating system | Android, iOS |
| Type | Instant messaging |
Allo is an instant messaging mobile app developed by Google. It was announced at Google I/O on May 18, 2016.[1] The app will be available on both Android and iOS[2] and is due to be released in summer 2016.[3]
Contents
Features[edit]
Allo will be based on phone numbers.[4]
Smart reply[edit]
Allo's "Smart reply" function will use Google's machine learning technology to suggest a reply to the last message, which can be selected from a few options. The feature will also analyse images sent to the user in order to suggest responses. Similar to the smart reply feature seen in Google's Inbox app, it will learn from the user's behaviour to adapt its suggestions over time.[5]
Incognito mode[edit]
Incognito mode will be an optional mode that includes expiring chats, private notifications, and end-to-end encryption. The encryption will use Open Whisper Systems' Signal Protocol, already used in the Signal app.[6]
"Whisper Shout"[edit]
"Whisper Shout" will allow the user to increase or decrease the size of a message to represent volume.[7]
The Google Assistant[edit]
The assistant will allow users to make Google search queries in a conversational format.
Reception[edit]
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.[6][8] 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 #Allo chat app is dangerous, and makes it unsafe."[8][9] 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.[10][11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Lunden, Ingrid (18 May 2016). "Google debuts Allo, an AI-based chat app using its new assistant bot, smart replies and more". TechCrunch. AOL Inc. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ Metz, Cade (18 May 2016). "Google’s New Allo Messaging App Gets Its Edge From AI". Wired. Condé Nast. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ Bohn, Dieter (18 May 2016). "Allo is a messaging app with Google built right in". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ Geuss, Megan (18 May 2016). "Google’s Allo and Duo are 2 communication apps based on your phone number". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ Lee, Nicole (19 May 2016). "Please don't send me Smart Replies". Engadget (Opinion piece). AOL Inc. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ a b Greenberg, Andy (18 May 2016). "With Allo and Duo, Google Finally Encrypts Conversations End-to-End". Wired. Condé Nast. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ Beres, Damon (18 May 2016). "Google Debuts A New Texting App You'll Actually Want To Use". The Huffington Post. AOL Inc. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ a b Tung, Liam (20 May 2016). "NSA whistleblower Snowden: Google Allo without default encryption is 'dangerous'". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ Hackett, Robert (21 May 2016). "Here's Why Privacy Savants Are Blasting Google Allo". Fortune. Time Inc. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ Conger, Kate (20 May 2016). "Google engineer says he’ll push for default end-to-end encryption in Allo". TechCrunch. AOL Inc. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ Goodin, Dan (20 May 2016). "Incensing critics, Google engineer ends push for crypto-only setting in Allo". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
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