Google Allo gains Assistant voice dictation, ability to draw on images & more

Google Allo 2.0 for iOS iPhone screenshot 001

Allo, Google’s cross-platform smart messaging app with built-in Google Assistant, was bumped this morning to version 2.0 following its App Store debut a month ago.

Allo’s built-in Assistant now supports voice dictation so you can now converse with it instead of typing. Another new feature: you can draw right on your image attachments. Google Allo 2.0 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is a free download from the App Store.

“Need something? Just say it out loud. The Google Assistant has you covered. Simply tap the mic on the screen and speak instead of type,” wrote Google.

In addition to Assistant voice dictation and the ability to doodle on your photos, Allo now features smarter notifications (requires iOS 9 or later) so you can reply from the notification itself, as well as enhanced VoiceOver interactions in the form of swipeable stickers and labels for incognito chats.

Allo was announced at Google I/O 2016.

Grab Google Allo at no charge from the App Store.