Google Allo v14 Brings Message Reactions, Under-the-Hood Enhancements

While we still await the much-delayed Web client of Google Allo, version 14 of the messaging app has now started rolling out for Android and brings message reactions to the platform. Currently, the latest update is not showing up for us but it is expected to be rolled out by the search giant in phases to the users.

Now, just like on Facebook Messenger, users can give emoji reactions to particular messages within the chat and once there are multiple reactions, the count of the reactions starts showing up beside the message. Amit Fulay, head of Google Allo, announced the new feature in his tweet saying, "Latest #GoogleAllo version out today! You can react to messages in chat (tap the heart to like them)"

Notably, unlike Facebook Messenger, Allo users can only react to messages with a heart-shaped emoji as of now. Fulay has suggested that there are more "under-the-hood enhancements" that come with the update but we will have to wait to figure out other notable additions. For now, there's now word on when the updated app will hit iOS.

To recall, Google said in May that the Web client of the Allo app will be released in a month or two but recently clarified that it will take "few more weeks" to be made available. Nick Fox, VP, Communications Products at Google, said in a tweet in May: "I'm using Web client every day and loving it. Team is working hard to get it out ASAP [As Soon As Possible], but we're still a month or two from public release."