New update to Google Allo making easier to access Assistant and GIFs

Google has a lot of different messaging options, and one of them is Allo, which launched last year.

On its surface, Allo has many of the same features that other messaging apps have, but the one element that makes it stand out is built-in access to Google Assistant. The digital assistant is finding its way to a variety of different Google products (including Android Wear 2.0), and now Google is making it easier to access the feature in Allo.

Up until the most recent update, calling up Assistant in Allo meant that you had to type out “@google” and then go from there. Now Allo has a dedicated button to call up Assistant. It’s in the same box where you’ll compose your message, right next to the icon used to search for stickers.

That icon is also getting an upgrade. Google Allo supports GIFs, and the app has supported typing in “@lucky” and then inputting a quick search term to bring up a random GIF based on your search parameters. But, if you don’t always want to leave your perfect GIF up to random chance, Google is now making it possible to search for the right one. Just tap on the emoji suggestion box and swipe all the way to the right.

Allo now also supports giant animated emoji, bolstered by the new “shout” feature. So if you really want to get that emoji noticed, making it bigger and animated might help.

Google says the update for Allo on Android begins rolling out today. iOS users will get it “soon.”