My response is the same as when Duo came out https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12297084
Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
271–280 of 543 posts
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#272Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#273So now google has Voice, Messenger, Hangouts, Allo, and Duo all with overlapping functionality? I wish they would just focus on making Hangouts work really well.
W8, what's Voice, Messenger and Duo?
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#274Not sure how common this is, but everyone at both school and work these days shifts seamlessly from mobile to dekstop and back. This has been one of the main reasons we tend to use WhatsApp and Slack, even for corporate communications as silly as that sounds -- because you can type long messages on it on the keyboard/desktop but also have access to it on the go. What I don't understand is -- given Allo had a blank sl…
I use WhatsApp Web quite a lot, it's not perfect, but it's a nice interface to use when you have access to a desktop/laptop and can continue your conversations there.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#275Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#276Earlier quoted context omitted.
The Google approach would be great, if they just separated it from the Google brand. Like, when Unilever launch a new detergent, they give it a totally separate brand. If it fails, they drop it quietly, and if it succeeds they can roll it out worldwide. I wish Google would do the same. Launch this as 'allo', with the fact that it's from alphabet buried in the small print. Once it's been doing well for a couple of yea…
Without brand it's hard to stand out in the crowded messaging space.
That's precisely the point. It should compete on its own merits.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#277Not sure how common this is, but everyone at both school and work these days shifts seamlessly from mobile to dekstop and back. This has been one of the main reasons we tend to use WhatsApp and Slack, even for corporate communications as silly as that sounds -- because you can type long messages on it on the keyboard/desktop but also have access to it on the go. What I don't understand is -- given Allo had a blank sl…
Definitely doesn't make sense. I use hangouts constantly. It is my default app for SMS and chatting with family. I like having one consistent thread between different desktop devices, as well as mobile. Yes Slack has replaced it for work, but that's no good for family, at least not mine. Until this has desktop support there is no reason for me to buy in. Why not have (one of) the most important feature of hangouts (a…
Google wants to own the whole IT stack from servers and software services to devices. It supported the entrenched alternatives (Windows and Macs) when it had no alternative, but now it won't, unless it really has to.
In Google's thinking, the whole IT stack is Google cloud-based, and in the long term, people having "different desktop devices" isn't the right way to go.
Yes, this is overstatement for sarcastic effect, but the trend seems to be real....
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#278Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the way they see it is: Voice is basically deprecated Hangouts is enterprise Allo and Duo compete with Whatsapp/iMessage and Facetime/Skype respectively
Not quite: - Facebook Messenger combines all the functionality of Allo and Duo. - Whatsapp already has voice calling and is adding video soon (so I read on the internet) - iMessage and Facetime integrate in IOS much better than Google Duo does. In IOS, you go to a contact and press facetime. On Android, you go to a contact... then go back out to Duo and call them. WeChat, of course, does everything that all these app…
I was visiting China recently and started using WeChat... it really is far ahead of other messaging apps, the amount of integration with other services is staggering (many shops offer payment through the app, QR codes to link to WeChat are commonplace, even my hotel advertised its wifi settings through WeChat!)
I wonder if WeChat will try to push the service more outside of China?
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#279More messengers - less desire to use them. My anecdata show shift to jabber and IRC for older and more tech folks.
Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app
#280Another messaging app? Who gives a fuck?