If there’s just one thing Google has not fully succeeded in getting the pulse right, it is chat apps. Despite several attempts to capture a large chunk of pie in the chat app domain, which is already ruled by the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or even iMessage, Google has failed to make a visible mark.
One such attempt was Allo chat app available on mobile devices only and which can be logged in via phone numbers instead of Google accounts. This made its use limited as those old school users comfortable with PCs and laptops were left out of the range by Google. However, that should change now as the company has decided to launch a Web version of the Allo chat app.
Google’s VP of Communications, Nick Fox, revealed the decision through a Tweet showing a screenshot of a desktop web app for Allo (as seen below). The web app is ‘still in early development’, says Fox. But looking at all the features and stickers, the app looks ready to roll. Interestingly, the web version of Google Allo chat app fully supports the Google Assistant, making it the first time for Google Assistant to come to the desktop.
It does look exciting and may be, this time Google will be able to capture a sizeable audience from other successful chat apps. But there are still many unanswered questions which Google needs to attend to. How does one sign in on Allo chat on a PC? Will this use a phone number for identity or a Google account? Also it is unclear as to how this app will work. Will it work like hangouts with data in the cloud or like WhatsApp which pulls its data directly from the mobile app.
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Now that Google has made a start with the announcement of a web version of this Google Allo chat app, we hope these questions too will be answered and a clear picture will emerge soon.
via Nick Fox
