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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

#91

Post by Mizza »

chias wrote: 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…

The worst was "Off the Record", which, for an XMPP service, didn't mean the "Off the Record" encryption protocol, it means "we don't log messages to your own email inbox."

It's another dark pattern from an unscrupulous company.

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

#93

Post by kyrra »

shmerl wrote: 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.ucstrategies.com/unified-communications-strategie...

Edit 2: removed Facebook as an offender. It was just Microsoft that was not sharing.

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

#94

Post by hkmurakami »

putlake wrote: 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 was introduced to Duo by a family friend who is 70. He uses it to talk to his grandchlidren. He's an Android user (refuses to use iPhone since he used to sell to Apple back in the 80's and has never been a fan of their business practices); other family members use iOS. His extended family lives in the South. He lives in California. Duo brought their family closer as they talk to each other during the first days of their grandchildren's school days.

I expect similar use cases to exist around the country.

The phone number as ID is huge for the non superuser crowd. This is part of the reason why LINE took off in Japan.

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

#95

Post by dovdov »

chias wrote: 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…

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

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

#96

Post by headmelted »

Boo.

All the shiny bells-and-whistles in the world aren't going to cover the fact that this should be end-to-end by default.

I suspect at least some of the folks working on it feel this way too, so I imagine it's really shitty for some of them to have it work this way. If WhatsApp is already end-to-end by default there's no reason at all that a new app trying to enter that already saturated space shouldn't be.

Sincerely, I hope this fails quickly.

My grumpy old ass will stay on Signal thanks very much.

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

#97

Post by Nullabillity »

rtpg wrote: post #55
putlake wrote: 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 think there are other reasons, but I really dislike using my phone number as an ID. Phone numbers are much harder to change , so if some annoying person gets a hold of it suddenly they can harass me across networks. This is a thing that actually happens! A big reason why I don't like telegram (even if everything else is awesome). I'm cool with my account being linked to a phone number, but I'd rather avoid giving t…

IIRC, Telegram allows you to set a username and give that out instead.

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

#98

Post by 20andup »

I don't know about you guys, but I am quite sick of these messaging apps that don't really provide any added-value over their competitors. Moreover, these message apps are not decentralize nor are these companies altruistic, so it quite easy to conclude that these companies wants your data.

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

#99

Post by flukus »

obmelvin wrote: post #90
flukus wrote: 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.

It isn't. I think your an asshole if you use your phone on public transport.
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