Google is shutting down Allo, its cross-platform messaging app. The company is killing Allo to focus its efforts entirely on Messages, Google’s messaging app for Android phones. And so another Google chat app meets a rather disappointing end.
The web wouldn’t exist in its current form if it wasn’t for Google. And yet the company has failed when it comes to social media. We have seen Google Talk, Google Buzz, Google+, and others all come and go. And now Allo is joining them in the Google graveyard.
Google Waves Goodbye to Allo
Google officially announced it was sunsetting Allo in a post on The Keyword. This offers an update on Google’s current efforts, and then sets out the company’s “focus moving toward a simpler communications experience.” But it’s still very confusing.
Allo will stop working in March 2019, as Google focuses on Messages instead. Google had actually already paused investment on Allo, and moved some of its best features across to Messages, so the end of Allo shouldn’t come as too much of a shock.
Google Allo is shutting down March 2019. https://t.co/TceyIgiLje pic.twitter.com/AR7qn7CVLi
— Joel Njoroge (@Kahush) December 6, 2018
If you have enjoyed any meaningful conversations in Allo you would like to save for posterity, you have until March 2019 to export your conversation history. Google has helpfully published some useful instructions on how to export your Allo conversations.
It Makes Sense to Focus on Messages
Google’s decision to kill Allo in favor of Messages is understandable. Allo had failed to gain traction, while Messages is being used by hundreds of millions of people every month. However, Google’s strategy of throwing apps out there to see what sticks is frustrating.
While half of this article has now been rendered pointless by Google’s swinging ax, you should still read our beginner’s guide to Google Duo and Google Allo. Duo seems to be safe for now, with Google promising to make more improvements to it in the future.
Read the full article: Google Is Killing Allo to Focus on Messages
