![]() Some examples include: The ability to send handwritten notes by holding the phone in landscape mode, tapping a word or phrase to replace it with an emoji, and sending a virtual heartbeat to recipient.Īnother feature unique to iMessage is the ability to send full screen animations with a text, like a barrage of fireworks in the backdrop of a message that says “Congratulations.” iMessage also allows users to send blurred text or photos that unscramble when the recipient swipes over the message. In addition to the new stickers, Apple has added visual effects that Facebook and Google’s apps lack. You can choose to open an app within the text field of your message or expand it to run in full screen mode. But using apps in iMessage largely feels the same as interacting with other apps on your phone, rather than chatting with a virtual assistant or automated bot. Similarly, thousands of businesses have launched chatbots for Facebook Messenger with the goal of making it easier to use their services through casual communication. Part of the appeal behind Allo, for example, is that you can ask Google to answer questions or retrieve information for you in the same way you would type a message to a friend. Or you might have a few friends vote on which restaurant the group should choose for dinner that night through OpenTable.Īpple’s approach to messaging differs from those of Google and Facebook in that it doesn’t focus on the “ conversational interface.” This idea has been front and center in both Facebook and Google’s respective apps. You could, for example, download The Weather Channel’s app for iMessage to look up the forecast and share it with a friend without switching between apps. The new version of iMessage, which recently launched with iOS 10, includes an App Store filled with apps just for Apple’s messaging app. This means you can’t continue your chats on your computer while at work or get notifications on your desktop or laptop like you can with Apple and Facebook’s respective apps. Unlike Messenger and iMessage, Allo is only available on mobile, for both iOS and Android. (Google says it does this in order to improve its service, but the company’s advertising-based business model is built around knowing as much about its users as possible.) Google also stores your Allo conversation history, even though it said it wouldn’t look at your messages when it initially unveiled the app, as The Verge noted. However, many reviewers have criticized Google for not activating this functionality by default, as Apple does with iMessage. This is similar to the Secret Conversations feature available in Facebook Messenger’s mobile app. You can also choose to make your messages disappear after a certain amount of time has passed. ![]() With Incognito Mode enabled, all chats are encrypted end-to-end. The stickers in Allo, comparatively, are made by independent artists and studios.Īllo also has an Incognito Mode, which, as the name implies, is meant to offer more privacy for sensitive conversations. These range from recognizable brand-name characters like Mickey Mouse and Mario to cute animals. ![]() Apple hasn’t said how many stickers are currently available for iMessage, but there are dozens upon dozens in the App Store already. There are currently around 25 sticker packs available to download in Allo, which is an especially slim selection compared to the 6,000 sticker collections Facebook Messenger offers. ![]() Stickers and expression are also an important part of the Allo experience. These suggestions are on point and natural-sounding for the most part, but I found that in most instances I preferred to type out my own responses unless I was in a rush. This artificial intelligence-powered feature is part of what makes Allo different than iMessage or Facebook Messenger. If a sibling sends you a photo of the family dog, Allo might suggest that you say something like “Aww!” or “How cute!” in response. While many texting apps and keyboards can suggest words as you type, Allo goes a step farther by offering up full replies based on the message you’ve just received. With Allo, you can hunt for nearby restaurants and browse movie times without leaving a text conversation, but you can’t book a table or buy tickets for now. A crucial difference between Allo and the messaging apps offered by Apple and Facebook is that it doesn’t yet offer third-party apps, although Google is considering doing so in the future.
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