On Wednesday at Google I/O, the company announced a new messaging app called Allo and a new video messaging app called Duo. Both apps are based on your phone number and are focused on bringing more information to users as they're typing or about to pick up the phone.
Allo's claim to fame is that Assistant is built into the app so that, as you exchange information with someone else, the app can offer auto-replies—even based on photos—or it can see if you're thinking of getting Italian food for dinner and suggest restaurants nearby. The messenger has a wide variety of stickers you can exchange with others, and the “Whisper Shout” function lets users decide how big or small they'd like to send their message to give the impression of volume (NO MORE ALL CAPS WHEN YOU'RE SHOUTING!!!!!). You can also write on pictures that you send and type @google to use the search engine while you're still in the messaging app.
With Allo, third-party developers will be invited to work with Assistant to increase the app's usefulness. OpenTable, for instance, is working with Allo to help users make reservations at a restaurant if they're talking about going there later that evening.
Allo will also have an incognito mode that offers end-to-end encryption. When you close a message in incognito mode, it's completely erased, Google says.
Duo, on the other hand, will be based on 1-to-1 video messaging, again using your phone number. Duo also supports end-to-end encryption and works on Android and iOS, Google says. The app also comes with an interesting feature called “Knock Knock” which shows you video of the caller before you even pick up.
The app was built by the WebRTC team using a new protocol called “Quic.” Duo is supposed to work in low-bandwidth situations to minimize video lag frustration. The app “proactively monitors the connection and degrades performance,” Google said, adding that it can “switch from Wi-Fi to cellular” as needed.
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