14 DAY TRIAL // Google I/O 2016 showcased some really interesting new applications for Android users. Two of the highlights were Allo, a smart messenger app with AI features, and Duo, a very fast video calling application. Although Google announced that the applications would be available this summer, it seems that APKs have already leaked online.
Only a few days ago, Google launched Spaces, a new application for small group sharing, which also incorporates YouTube, Google Search, and Chrome capabilities. While Spaces focuses mainly on sharing content, Allo and Duo will be used for messaging and group calling.
Allo’s main highlight is the fact that it uses AI machine learning for making communication smoother. Allo and Duo are both mobile-based, which means that users don’t need a Google account for registering, but only a phone number. Allo features end-to-end encryption for keeping information safe, but some questions on privacy do arise, especially since the AI scans and reads content that you send.
Duo is a much simpler application, but it packs advanced features for making fast and smooth video calls regardless of the connection speed. It was designed to seamlessly switch between WiFi and cellular network, without dropping the call.
Final and stable versions will start rolling out this summer
The APKs for both Allo and Duo were leaked online, and users can download and check them out. However, there’s not much that you can do with the applications, considering that they are just a preview version and don’t actually work. Allo seems to crash repeatedly when opened, so does Duo. Moreover, some users have stated that Duo appears in the app drawer as ‘Video calling’ while Allo isn’t compatible with most phones.
It’s safe to say that Google is still putting a lot of effort into developing these two applications and making them work properly on all Android versions. For the final and stable versions of Allo and Duo, users would have to wait until this summer to download and use them at full capacity.