Our teardown of Allo 24 revealed that Google’s consumer messaging app might be on the verge of letting users contact one another via email address. This would alter the app’s central tenet of phone number-based communication which have informed other features like the web app and only being able to sign-in on one device.
Fortunately, the latest update of Allo hints that too might be change, with Google working on multi-device support for the service.
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The latest update to Google Allo is rolling out this morning. While the messaging app is light on new changes or features, version 24 reveals that the ability to reach people via Google account and email address is in the works. Furthermore, there are several changes to related to the camera.
With the last update to Google Duo, we were able to activate and demo a screen sharing feature. Version 23 of Duo is now rolling out and work continues on the audio/video messages feature. Meanwhile, camera effects have been removed, while something called “Drishti” has been added in its place.
The latest update of Google Photos began rolling out yesterday with a visual change that adds a light navigation bar on Pixel devices, as well as new text selection functionality in Google Lens. A teardown of version 3.10 reveals a number of in-progress features coming to the app.
While the latest Google Voice update does not feature many notable visible changes, the messaging app is working on exciting functionality. Namely, version 5.6 hints that you may soon be able to send messages using the Ok Google/Assistant hotword.
In recent months, Google Keep has been more closely aligned with Google Drive thanks to numerous integrations. The latest one sees Keep on Android adding a similar Explore feature that scans notes and offers useful productivity suggestions.
The latest version of the Google app is rolling out this morning and it comes with another redesign of Assistant settings. Version 7.17 also reveals some sort of syncing feature with Chrome, upcoming Google Lens functionality, and more.
After the last update added support for 40 additional languages, including Chinese and Japanese, version 6.8 of Gboard is now rolling out. The biggest change is the addition of a new handwriting keyboard that we spotted in a previous teardown.
With our teardown of Duo 20 in October, we spotted that Google’s video messaging service was working on screen sharing. We have since been able to activate this useful feature that lets you quickly show off something on your phone’s display.
Version 7.16 of the Google app rolled out in beta last week and revealed more about Assistant Routines and improvements to the built-in podcast player, among other updates. We’ve since been able to activate some new features that detail some minor tweaks in the works.
Android Messages is Google’s official RCS client and has also been adopted by several manufacturers. Version 2.7 is rolling out and a teardown reveals work on Rich Communication Service features like Business Messaging for interactive messaging, as well as dual-SIM support. Meanwhile, the app is preparing payments through Google Wallet and Duo integration.
Version 22 of Allo introduced selfie clips and the ability to have admins with privileges in group chats. The latest update is now rolling out and a teardown reveals Google might be closer to launching camera effects and audio transcriptions. Meanwhile, new features under development include contact sharing.
This morning Google announced several new features for the Home app, including improved search and advanced audio controls like bass and treble. These changes are rolling out with version 1.26 of the app, with a teardown also revealing the addition of support for the Google Home Max launching next month. It also details upcoming features and possibly a new device.
With every new update to the Google app, we’re learning more about Assistant Routines that can string together commands. Version 7.16 also details an expansion to the podcast functionality and feedback/training for Lens and the Feed. In terms of visible changes, Assistant for tablets is hinted at, while the Feed’s bottom bar sees a partial redesign.
The latest version of Google’s Phone dialer for Pixel, Nexus, and Android One devices is rolling out today with some exciting features in the works. None of these changes appear to be live yet, but most notable is a voicemail transcription service powered by Google.
Version 22 of Google Duo is rolling out this afternoon with two notable features from Allo. Like the text messaging app earlier this week, Duo now has improved Adaptive Icon support. Meanwhile, upcoming Google account linking will let users be reached via email. Duo is also continuing work on their messaging feature.
The latest version of Google Allo rolled out over the weekend with a mix of new fun and useful features in the works. This latter group includes audio message transcription, replies, and better adaptive icon support. Meanwhile, work on camera filters continues in version 22.
On the Pixel and Pixel 2, Pixel Buds enable a futuristic real-time translation feature. As we near its November release, the latest version of Google Translate adds several strings describing how Pixel Buds will work, as well as more about an upcoming “Word of the Day” feature and new handwriting UI.
The latest beta version of the Google app is rolling with more about multi-command “Routines” for Google Assistant, as well as further details about Pixel Buds. Additionally, version 7.15 contains more information about the Search Bar Widget and the recently uncovered Quartz device that’s possibly a Google Home with a display.
Over the weekend, Google rolled out the version 21 of Allo for Android. This update includes a cropping tool for editing profile pictures and support for the EmojiCompat library.
Following an update to YouTube Music last night, the latest version of the main YouTube app is rolling out. Version 12.41.53 has very little in the way of new features, though there is one notable server-side change to the YouTube app.
With YouTube’s brand redesign in August, Google’s video service significantly revamped its web app, while its mobile apps received various tweaks to match. YouTube Music was initially updated with some of this new branding, but this week receives a new icon.
Two weeks ago, we revealed that the Google app was working on a bottom bar redesign. The latest version 7.14 shows Google refining that interface, while revamping the “Explore” page for Assistant apps, adding “Hey Google” on phones, and other tweaks.
The latest beta version of the Google app rolled out this evening and hints at Assistant finally being available on tablets, as well as other features possibly coming to more devices. Version 7.14 also includes some user-facing changes, while there are some mentions about the upcoming Pixel Buds.