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Google to rival WhatsApp with ‘Allo’ app

Johannesburg - Internet search giant Google is preparing to launch a smart messaging app dubbed ‘Allo’ that will take on Facebook-owned WhatsApp.

Google announced at its I/O developers conference in California that its Android and Apple app Allo, like WhatsApp, works via users’ phone numbers.

This marks a breakaway for Google whose previous services have relied on users have Google or Gmail account to access its offerings.

The search giant is also tapping its algorithms and artificial intelligence technology to deliver features on Allo such as its Smart Reply option.

This feature enables users to respond to messages without typing a single word as Smart Reply learns over time and shows suggestions.

“For example, it will learn whether you’re more of a ‘haha’ vs ‘lol’ kind of person. The more you use Allo the more ‘you’ the suggestions will become,” said Google in a blog post.

“Smart Reply also works with photos, providing intelligent suggestions related to the content of the photo. If your friend sends you a photo of tacos, for example, you may see Smart Reply suggestions like ‘yummy’ or ‘I love tacos’,” said the company.

Other smart features of Allo will include the Google assistant, which users can chat with in the app and use to find information such as flight or hotel details.

Amid WhatsApp switching on encryption earlier this year, Google is further promising that Allo will have an encrypted and private ‘Incognito’ mode.

At this stage, users can only register for the Allo app via app stores with Google saying the app is “coming soon”.

Meanwhile, Google on Tuesday also announced the launch of its new video-calling app ‘Duo’, which is also based on users’ phone numbers.

“Duo is a simple, fast one-to-one video calling app for everyone—whether you’re on Android or iOS, a fast or slow connection, in New York or New Delhi,” said Google in a blog post.

At this stage, users can also only pre-register for Duo on app stores.

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