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Allo is Google’s new messaging app with Assistant built right in, expressive features, and more

Update: Allo’s Play Store listing offers the ability to preregister to get notified when the app is available for download.

Next up at I/O this year are two new communication apps that integration Google’s services and AI. The first is called Allo and has the Google Assistant built-in right into the app. In addition to integrating Google’s services, it also secure and private…

Allo helps users express themselves; namely in many stickers and a feature called “Whisper Shout”. This lets you change the size of your message by tapping, holding, and sliding on the send button.

A feature inspired by Smart Reply from Inbox by Gmail is also built in. Using machine learning it analyzes the message and suggest responses based on how users usually express themselves. Smart Replies also contain relevant emoji and stickers. But the biggest move here is that Allo can provide Smart Replies for photos.

Google Assistant in Allo will add tips and proactive suggestions to any conversation thread. For instance, it can surface restaurant cards for all people in the conversation. Typing “@Google” will surface the Google Assistant at any time in Allo, and developers will be able to tap in and offer their cards.

The Google Assistant, as it can in other Google products, will remember a user’s preferences, interests, and also features a friendly personality.

For privacy and security, there is an Incognito mode that will make sure chats are end-to-end encrypted, discreet notifications, and message expiration. Users can also delete those Incognito chats.

Allo will be available this summer on Android and iOS.

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