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Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

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Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#111
post #93
post #9

Google should open up their protocols, or use open ones. It's quite sad that Google of the past (which supported XMPP) is gone.

Google shut down XMPP support because none of the other large vendors were playing along. Because of how XMPP federation work, Microsoft could reach out to Google for presence and other information about friends, but didn't need to return the favor (they were doing one way federation). So it allowed for a "better" experience using other companies XMPP networks. Edit: Source for my beliefs on the above: http://www.ucs…

Facebook did provide XMPP service until the same time that Google ended it.

So that’s definitely a wrong statement.

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#112
post #81

I really wish they wouldn't overload terms that they themselves invented. In Chrome, "incognito" means we don't save your local history, but it does not add to the transport security. Here, "incognito" means you've got end-to-end encryption (and presumably also doesn't save local history). Why on earth would you re-use the same term when naming two things with similar (thus easily confused) consumer-visible attribute…

You must live in a bubble or have never worked at a large company before. There are two totally different teams building these products. Is it really that inconceivable for them (yes, even Google) to make this oversight?

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#113
post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always think they're assholes, annoying me with their boring conversations. At least put the speakerphone on so we can hear both sides of the conversation.

How is it any different from talking on the phone? Something that probably millions do daily in NYC.

[deleted]

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#114
post #81

I really wish they wouldn't overload terms that they themselves invented. In Chrome, "incognito" means we don't save your local history, but it does not add to the transport security. Here, "incognito" means you've got end-to-end encryption (and presumably also doesn't save local history). Why on earth would you re-use the same term when naming two things with similar (thus easily confused) consumer-visible attribute…

You must live in a bubble or have never worked at a large company before. There are two totally different teams building these products. Is it really that inconceivable for them (yes, even Google) to make this oversight?

I feel like incognito mode has been around long enough that this isnt a valid excuse.

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#115
post #8

I'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'…

I'll use everything Google, but Duo has been the most stupid video chat app I've ever used. That's because in countries where the common household internet is still not that fast, it 'aggressively' pauses (completely removes) the video for long intervals in every few minutes citing slow connection. That's a frustrating experience. I generally get around 10-12 Mbps speed (which is on the higher side in India), and my…

What's the uplink speed on the other end (presumably 4Mbps is downlink)? That would be a more limiting factor in the quality of the video you see on your end.

But then I recall we had working video chat a decade ago with only a few hundred Kbps...

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#117
Google just keeps pushing boundaries trying to legitimise spying. This is really creepy, and its surprising that Google and folks who work there think its ok to do this. Might as well have an NSA drone tail you.

It's as if Google's ad business is just a front for a global intelligence gathering operation.

There is a real problem with Google here and a golden opportunity for less privacy invading businesses to take its place. I am sure as users becoming more aware they will increasingly gravitate to businesses that can operate less creepily.

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#118
post #93
post #9

Google should open up their protocols, or use open ones. It's quite sad that Google of the past (which supported XMPP) is gone.

Google shut down XMPP support because none of the other large vendors were playing along. Because of how XMPP federation work, Microsoft could reach out to Google for presence and other information about friends, but didn't need to return the favor (they were doing one way federation). So it allowed for a "better" experience using other companies XMPP networks. Edit: Source for my beliefs on the above: http://www.ucs…

> Google shut down XMPP support because none of the other large vendors were playing along.

That's a lame excuse that Eric Schmidt produced for abandoning XMPP. The irony is, he should be blamed for the same thing he blamed others for.

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#119
post #102
post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

End-to-end encryption from your phone to Google's server, where neural networks now analyze all your data, Super cute! Lovely Labrador!

But that's end to middle encryption!

But perhaps middle out compression?

Re: Say hello to Google Allo: a smarter messaging app

#120
post #102
post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

End-to-end encryption from your phone to Google's server, where neural networks now analyze all your data, Super cute! Lovely Labrador!

But that's end to middle encryption!

Middle-out encryption ...? :)
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