In many countries, "allo" is the first word of a phone conversation.
But Google Allo doesn't do any phone call, I think it will confuse users.
Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
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Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#42[deleted]
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#43Why isn't it always end to end encryption? I'm getting really paranoid and crochety in my old age of 29, as all I see is a tool to make me the product.
I am like you. In the past I wouldn't pay attention to privacy issues and I would enjoy free services such as Google Drive or Facebook Messenger, but that recently changed. In my case, the trigger was exactly the thought that you expressed so effectively:
> All I see is a tool to make me the product.
I think you're right, and you're not paranoid at all.
I'm now using only open source tools both on PC and on Android (courtesy of F-Droid), switched from Gmail to Mailbox.org and from Chrome to Firefox with all privacy settings turned on (no tracking, no long term cookies etc.), switched from GDrive and Dropbox to my own private cloud solution (using a NAS + Owncloud), started using PGP for email, and currently trying to get my friends to use Signal for instant messaging.
First world problems? Maybe, but I don't like to be sold in exchange for free-of-charge services.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#44So. Why make this a separate app? Why isn't this in Hangouts?
Because Hangouts is a bloated POS? Everyone I know who works for Google states this (and I can concur from using it at work).
How on earth is hangouts "bloated"? It's a friggin IM app with video calling built in. It's far more minimal than most other "alternative" IM clients.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#45Why isn't it always end to end encryption? I'm getting really paranoid and crochety in my old age of 29, as all I see is a tool to make me the product.
it's not always-on end-to-end encryption because the standout feature is the google assistant. literally the whole selling point of the app is that google is always listening in. If you want google's assistant to not be continually monitoring your conversations, then allo is definitely not the app for you.
Exactly, it's the usual trade-off: convenience vs. privacy. I much prefer the latter, though.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#46Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#47An app that writes my messages for me. Great, now I can be 1 step further removed from any contacts from my friends and family.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#48I'm surprised Google Duo hasn't become more popular. It's a great cross-platform video chat app. I especially like the feature where you can see the other party before you answer their call. I have taken calls because of that feature that I otherwise wouldn't have. It's better than FaceTime because it works on Android. It's better than Skype and Google Hangouts because your cellphone number is your identity; you don'…
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Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#49I'm surprised Google Duo hasn't become more popular. It's a great cross-platform video chat app. I especially like the feature where you can see the other party before you answer their call. I have taken calls because of that feature that I otherwise wouldn't have. It's better than FaceTime because it works on Android. It's better than Skype and Google Hangouts because your cellphone number is your identity; you don'…
Facebook Messenger has all of those advantages and even more, since your name is your identity and not something that requires exchange like a phone number.
I suspect the "video preview" feature will come soon to Facebook Messenger, which has been developing quickly.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#50This reminds me a lot of Telegram in incognito vs secret chat and the stickers. I wish Google good luck in such a competive field and especially one that is completely dependent on the network effect