Google I/O 2016 Thread

[Artdeco]

Call me cynical, but this is another pathetic attempt to to lock down Android more and more for their own agenda.

Why would Google do that? :hmm:

http://watchdog.org/265252/visitor-logs-google-white-house/

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/05/google-antitrust-case-europe-details-analysis/

 

[quikah]

There are a LOT of Android users in the world, but not all of them have Google accounts. Google wants to reach these users, to get them to use the built in search which can get them to use more Google services.

How do you install Google apps without a Google account? I thought you needed one to use play store?

 

[Red Storm]

How do you install Google apps without a Google account? I thought you needed one to use play store?

You're right, I forgot about that. I was thinking of those users and people who basically create dummy Google accounts just to be able to download apps, but they don't use other Google services. You're right though, those without the Play Store wouldn't be able to download Allo anyway.

 

[senseamp]

But why not a double tap? It makes more sense than a long press to me, at least.

Because Samsung is using long press on menu for multi-task in TouchWiz. No point reinventing the bicycle and forcing people to re-learn different systems when switching Android phones.

 

[sweenish]

Because Samsung is using long press on menu for multi-task in TouchWiz. No point reinventing the bicycle and forcing people to re-learn different systems when switching Android phones.

Context. You don't have it.

 

[WelshBloke]

If Google want to own messaging they could just link your phone number to your Google account, make hangouts the default messenger on android and auto log in every android user.

 

[lothar]

You say that like they are all the exact same messaging apps. Are they?

Google Messenger is an SMS client, that's all it does. Some people just want/need an SMS app, this takes care of that. They don't want a bunch of extra features/bloat that is useless to them, they just want SMS.

Hangouts is based on your Google account. This may be shocking to some but not everyone wants or has a Google Account.

Allo is an app similar to Whatsapp, tied to your phone number. This type of messaging app is always going to be the most popular, so I understand Google going after this market. There are a LOT of Android users in the world, but not all of them have Google accounts. Google wants to reach these users, to get them to use the built in search which can get them to use more Google services.

Duo is the video chat app. Knock Knock is the single best feature I've ever seen with any video chat app, can't wait to use it. I believe in the presentation they said that Allo would use Duo for its video chatting?

This may be shocking to some but pretty much almost everyone that has an Android phone has a Google account except those that live in China, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, and Syria. The people in those countries mentioned won't be able to use Allo either.

Hangouts App already has the "Read contacts" permission and can be made to tie your phone number to your Google account automatically if Google wanted to do so.

Google could have combined Allo and Duo into one app.
Google could have developed Hangouts to do what Allo does today.

None of these apps will be successful. Hangouts is by default on all Android phones. Google has given more leeway to the manufacturers in Google app bloatware. Google+ is no longer one of the mandatory Google app that ships with every Android phone. The same with Google keep and Newsstand.

 

[lothar]

Allo better be able to accept Gtalk messages or I will be pissed. I have told everyone in my family "if you want me you better be messaging me on Hangouts" only for them to kill it.

This.
I use Hangouts because I can reply to any message on any device, and it's also connected to my Google voice number.

If their plan is to make Allo strictly mobile only with no desktop, tablet, or Google Voice integration, then screw that.

We all know Google's MO. If there is a new Shiny the old one will be neglected and eventually shitcanned after years/months of neglect.

Google talk it more than Hangouts, it is Gmail chat too.

Pretty much.

It's possible that Hangouts could go the way of the Google Voice app.
After Hangouts got Google Voice integration, there has only been 2 updates to the Google Voice app the past few years. What were the updates? Pretty much absolutely nothing.

Google has a history of having several department teams working on differnet products to compete against each other.
Google Talk vs Hangouts, Gmail vs Inbox, and now Hangouts vs Allo.

Eventually one will go the way of the Dodo bird.
What they're doing is certainly cheaper than spending $20 billion to buy Whatsapp, Snapchat, or Telegram.

 

[lothar]

Allo is basically Google's attempt at countering WhatsApp.

And if you're wondering why it's built around your phone number? Remember that many people in developing countries don't have Google accounts and aren't about to use them. This gets them into a service they'd ignore otherwise. Remember, Facebook now lets you sign up for Messenger this way for similar reasons.
Like was said earlier, Hangouts is sticking around. I can't see Allo replacing it unless the new app is so popular that it overshadows the old one.

See reply to my earlier post above.
Pretty much anyone that does not live in China, North Korea, Cuba, or Iran already have a Google account if they're using an Android phone.

Google can let people signup for Hangouts the same way Facebook now lets people signup for Messenger without creating a new app.

 

[lothar]

If Google want to own messaging they could just link your phone number to your Google account, make hangouts the default messenger on android and auto log in every android user.

Yeah, but if Google did that everyone will freak out and think creepy...invasion of privacy...etc...
But when Facebook or Whatsapp does it, then apparently it's okay.