For those concerned about privacy, the app allows you to switch to incognito mode, which is end-to-end encrypted. An expiration feature allows users to set a time limit, after which messages disappear from the sender and the recipient’s devices. However, smart replies won’t be available in incognito, stripping the app of it’s special features.

With Google’s competitors offering services that people have traditionally turned to Google search for—like Facebook Messenger chatbots booking flights and hotels—the company also added Google Assistant to Allo. The assistant carries out the Google Now voice assistant functions —scour for addresses, movie showtimes, restaurants, flights and hotels—from within the app. Users can also start a direct conversation with @google, to find information on news, weather, traffic, sports and more. The assistant feature is being previewed within Allo but could soon make inroads into other Google products. It’s only available in English for now and doesn’t work in incognito mode.

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