Google Allo features and tips

Allo is the latest Google instant messenger which is trying to compete with messengers such as WhatsApp or Facebook messenger. The main difference between Allo and other most popular instant messengers is Google Assistant. Google Assistant is Google’s latest voice command assistant. Google Assistant is integrated in Allo messenger and works as a chatbot. Allo is a fantastic instant messenger which offers a number of great and unique features. If you want to find out about Google Allo features read this article to learn how to get the most out of this instant messenger.

Google Allo features – smart replies

Allo’s smart replies feature is a great tool to make instant messaging a lot faster and more convenient. This feature provides you with a suggestion based on the last thing that was said in the conversation. You can simply tap on one the responses to save yourself from the trouble of typing it down.

Smart replies is one of the best Google Allo features. If you like this feature, try to use it as much as you can as its system learns over time and adjusts itself to your typing style. In addition, Allo smart replies is equipped with photo recognition technology. This means that when you receive a photo, the app recognizes what is in the photo and gives you reply suggestions based on that.

Google Allo features – Incognito mode

One of the methods that instant messengers use in order to ensure privacy and security of data is end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption means that your messages are all encrypted as soon as they leave your device until they get to the target device. This ensures that no in-between person will be able to read your messages. Instant messengers such as Signal messenger offer this feature by default. But unfortunately, in Google Allo messages are not encrypted by default. Instead Google Allo offers this method of encryption in Incognito  mode.

In order to start this private chat, open a new chat and then tap on the incognito icon and then tap o the name of the person you want to chat with. Another feature of Incognito mode is that it allow you to set a self-destruct timer for your messages.

Once in an Incognito chat, tap the timer icon in the top-right corner. Then you can choose a time limit for how long messages exist: Never, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week. When the timer is up, the messages will be deleted from both devices.

Google Allo privacy

As I mentioned before, Google Allo features don’t include end-to-end encryption by default. This method of encryption is only applied to messages in Incognito mode. This fact is considered to be a major security downside for this app. Also, the sender and the receiver are not the only people who read the messages. The virtual assistant on Google Allo also read the messages. Of course this is for providing more features to users, however it can be source of concern for the ones who are worried about privacy and security. These vulnerabilities need to be taken into consideration by security experts as well as the users who are concerned about privacy.