Allo was announced last May and will be competing with Apple's Messages and Facebook's WhatsApp and Messenger. However, unlike other messaging apps, Google's Allo features a chatbot powered by Google Assistant, a virtual personal assistant comparable to Apple's Siri.
The chatbot can be activated by typing "@google" along with a search query and the users will see the results being displayed at the chat box. The app also features a smart reply that suggests response to messages that can be sent with a simple tap.
According to Amit Fulay, the more the users use the app, the more it improves overtime as it uses machine learning. It is not yet available worldwide, but Google said that it will be in the next few days, Reuters reported.
Allo also features an option that can make messages or emojis bigger or smaller. To make messaging more fun, users can send one of hundreds of virtual stickers especially designed for Allo. While the app can send messages to others who are not using Allo, these special effects cannot be seen on other messaging app.
Allo has limited intelligence at the moment, though. While Google Assistant is a better version of its predecessor Google Now, it is not yet as good as the older version in terms of checking other Google services and identifying patterns.
For instance, smart reply will not suggest appointments or schedule even if Google has the user's calendar. Google assistant will not offer transit schedules or traffic conditions the way Google Now does. Updates on weather, sports and news are available but it will not automatically update whenever there are some changes, as reported by CTV News.
Meanwhile, this fall, Google Assistant will also be installed on smart speaker called Google Home following its debut on Allo.
