Since the debut and release of Google Allo and Duo last year, many people are still confused as to why the Mountain View-based company released two separate apps for messaging and calling. For the unfamiliar, Duo is a mobile app developed by Google for video chatting, while Allo is the instant messaging mobile app. While the mobile versions of both the apps were released in 2016, many are awaiting the launch of Goole Allo for the desktop.
Desktop version's launch drawing closer?
The arrival of the Google Allo desktop version was first revealed by the Google Communications’ VP Nick Fox in February this year.
Fox, in May, shared on Twitter that the web version of Allo was still, “a month or two from public release." However, even after more than a month, there was no news about the application – until now.
While responding to a question on Twitter regarding the timeline by when Allo for the web would be released, Amit Fulay, Google’s Head of Product for Allo and Duo, shared that the instant Messaging App will be released for desktops and laptops in a “few more weeks” and the developers are “on it.”
A couple of weeks is not a specific time frame regarding the release of a product as the word “few” can mean two weeks or 50 or more. Moreover, one can also not be sure whether Fulay was referring to the web version or just the desktop client of the messaging app.
Users all over the world are hoping for the latter as due to the current Hangout setup, one has to open the Chrome browser every time they want to use the app on their desktop.
Google’s smart messaging app
Allo was unveiled alongside video chatting application Duo on May 18, 2016, during Google’s annual World Wide Developers Conference.
It was later released on September 21, 2016. The Allo app uses the phone numbers saved in one’s contacts and employs them to identify other Allo users to aid in the exchange of messages, videos, and images over the app. The app comes with features such as Smart Reply and also allows the user to adjust the size and text orientation.
Apart from that, an Allo app user can also doodle on a photo they intend to send to someone or can also add texts to it. The app comes with stickers created by independent studios and artists from all around the world. Google has also enabled its Assistant in the app for added help.
Whether the desktop version of the messaging app will debut soon - and simplify things for Allo users - remains to be seen.
