The tech behemoth Google is killing its consumer messaging service Allo soon to focus on Android Messages. Before Allo breathes its last at the end of March, Google will launch the Google Assistant into Android Messages. The company announced today that it would roll out the new feature to the users “over the coming months.”
People who use Android Messages to text will soon see a Google Assistant button in the smart replies section. Just tap on the button and get smart replies from the Assistant directly into your text message thread. Google has already rolled out smart replies on Gmail.
Recently, it added Assistant to Google Maps as well - helping users call a contact, play music, check their schedule, find nearby places, etc. using the Assistant right within Maps. The feature will be limited to English in the beginning.
Privacy freaks can calm their nerves as Google has assured users that it will not read their text messages. Google’s servers will only collect information about the text the Google Assistant predicts for you. The company creates “suggestion chips” by doing a local analysis of the contents of the thread. For instance, users searching for a nearby salon can find relevant options by the Assistant upon engaging with it. It should be noted that while Google doesn’t specifically know what your private chats contain, it has a good idea about its content thanks to Assistant.
Google announces new smartphones will have Google Assistant buttons, Digital Wellbeing expanding to the Moto G7, and Google Lens suggestions availability on the LG G8 https://t.co/BAWrQIQLId pic.twitter.com/V0Si3aGEg7
— XDA Developers (@xdadevelopers) February 24, 2019
The familiar Google Assistant look
When users tap a chip during texting, the Assistant box will slide up with information and options displayed in a card format- as is common with all other applications with Google Assistant integration.
A user could search for salons and send the results to the person they are texting without ever leaving the app. Google didn’t clarify how the card will look to the receiver, but it is most likely that the interface will depend on their service- SMS, MMS or RCS.
Google Allo, which debuted the Google Assistant in consumer chat, will wind up its shop at the end of March.
Google has added a slew of features to Android Messages in the meanwhile to make up for the change. It has a web-based client, a message search option, easier access to media libraries and GIFs and a dark mode as well.
It can support SMS and MMS and RCS in certain locations. Google suggests that it is available in 24 countries, but it comes with many strings attached- like the app the receiver is using, the phone they are using or the carrier. RCS, however, doesn’t support end-to-end encryption which could be a point of contention for many users.
