Google Allo

2018

Allo will be closed in March, 2019

According to the message of December 6, 2018 internet- the giant Google performed with confirmation of information on closing of the next service which extended in Network – messenger Allo. Support of the project will be stopped in March, 2019. But Google already found application for all practices implemented in it.

Basic functions of Allo will remove to other Google messenger Messages, developed in parallel. Some of these opportunities can already be seen in application Messages is Smart Reply and support of animation. In addition, Google will continue to develop one more application for communication – the service video calls Duo which by default is a part of modern versions mobile OS Android.

The Allo messenger was not included even into the five of the most popular programs for communication. It is a basic reason on which Google decided to close the project – despite the extensive list of opportunities, demanded among users it did not become. On the other hand, has no special Allo functions – everything that in it is, it is in a varying degree implemented in the majority of products of third-party developers.

The decision on Allo closing final and to the appeal is not subject yet. All few users of service can download the history of the messages, and such opportunity will remain at them till March, 2019 then dialogs will be deleted from servers without a possibility of recovery^[1].

Closing of the project

In April, 2018 Google announced closing of the Allo project. The company decided to focus on the messengers using the Rich Communications Services (RCS) standard which by April, 2018 is supported by only 55 operators in the world.

The solution to stop development of Allo service was accepted by the new head of group on communication systems of Google Anil Sabharwal. Almost all command which was engaged in this project is transferred to the group which is responsible for development and promotion of the Android application of Messages (it is built in the Android operating system), which uses the RCS protocol. The joint department will be engaged in creation of new RCS functions for Android Messages and transformation of service into the full-fledged competitor of popular cross-platform messengers, like WhatsApp, notes the eWeek edition.

Google says goodbye to the Allo messenger

The product in general did not get that level support which we expected... This application was created to become the solution which we will be able to offer millions of the people ready to use it. And where we now? It does not seem to us that we on a right trajectory — Anil Sabkharval reported, commenting on failure from development of Allo service.

At the same time in Google allow a possibility of return to Allo support in the future. Sabkharval noted that so far Google did not make the final decision: the company does not want to hurry to make everything it is correct.

According to the The Verge edition, conducts development of a new message exchange system of Chat which in the long term will allow to replace normal SMS messages. The using RCS service will allow users not to install special applications and to create accounts. Unlike SMS, the product of Google will levy a payment not for the cost of SMS by a tariff plan, and for the amount of data consumed when sending messages.^[2]

2016: Start of service

Google started in September, 2016 the Allo application, the messenger with the built-in virtual assistant and the system of prompt replies.

The functionality of Allo is in many respects similar to WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram: in the application it is possible to send messages and stickers, to create group chats, to exchange photos and so on. ​

The key feature of the program — it uses machine learning. The application can analyze incoming messages and based on a context to offer the user fast possible answers. It is reported that Allo studies a manner of communication of the person and as appropriate selects the following remark.

Information on chats is stored on servers of Google in encrypted form. The mode incognito is provided in the messenger. At its activation between interlocutors end-to-end enciphering joins, notifications on new messages are muffled that someone being did not learn about a conversation nearby, messages are automatically destroyed later certain time.

Messages of users by default remain on servers of the company if only not to delete them compulsorily or not to use the special mode incognito. Thus, Google can get access to all history of messages to Allo, The Verge assumes. It contradicts promises of Google company which at the beginning of a year claimed that messages will be stored only short time and in not personalized^[3].

According to in Google, it is made for function improvement of "smart answers" and work of Assistant who is able to answer questions, to make plans with friends, without leaving a chat. As well as the majority of the systems of machine learning, "clever assistants" work with a large number of data better. In development team of Allo decided that for the sake of efficiency it is worth refusing advantages of privacy of data.

Such solution will have serious effects, The Verge warns. Messages will be available on requests of law enforcement agencies now — the same as mail in Gmail and information on location of the user collected by Android.

The Allo messenger is integrated with the assistant to Google Assistant. In fact the assistant to Google is a next step in development of Google Now, first of all due to capability to process more advanced queries. The company told that the new technology "will recognize the world" and helps with it to be guided: plan meetings, trips, purchases etc.^[4].

Whether Google Assistant is capable to answer questions it seems "My flight is delayed?" (in view of the data which are already available for it), and can just find information in the Internet.

Through Allo the user can send inquiries of Google Assistant and receive answers. Allo can be prinlasit in a group chat, then requests to it all participants of a conversation will be able to send. Service is integrated with services Google, including "Google Maps", YouTube and "Google Translator", and is capable to redirect requests to them and to deliver to users the corresponding answers.

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Notes