We knew something was up with Google’s plans for messaging as the company has been making a lot of (albeit) confusing updates to Hangouts and Messenger. The last update to Hangouts for Android were adding Material Design elements and improved video calling feature. Rumor has it that Google would be removing the SMS/MMs feature from the Hangouts app much to the chagrin of frequent users.
We weren’t sure why Google would remove the texting feature but we felt something was up. Meanwhile, the Google Messenger app hasn’t been getting any relevant update since stickers and location sharing where enabled. And looks like the company is working on a new messaging service that will hopefully take on Facebook Messenger.
The idea is that this new mobile messenger will tap on an artificial intelligence system and chatbot technology to become a more efficient app compared to its rivals. At present, the most popular messaging apps include Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp plus WeChat in China. As for Google Messenger and Hangouts, the two messaging apps only captured a small percentage of the two billion messaging service users worldwide.
No official announcement or confirmation yet from Google but we heard that the company is planning to integrate several software programs and chatbots. These chatbots are expected to search for possible answers whenever a questions is asked. It’s one golden idea of like having a chatmate or a virtual assistant textmate but we’re not sure if this will work.
Details are scarce but we know Nick Fox, a Google executive, is working on a new service together with a team. Mr. Fox is also believed to have been declined by a startup known as 200 Labs when offered to be purchased a couple of months ago. The small company is known for chatbots. This piece of information somehow gives us an idea that Google is indeed working on some developments in messaging technology.
Messaging apps are already a standard in communication for most people. Having a virtual textmate that can provide relevant information when asked is more than just a novel idea. Google is believed to be done with research and is now working to employ a new chatbot technology and integrate with search and text messaging so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
VIA: WSJ
Artificial Intelligence means that computer understands unstructured data and can talk.
Google shall never get the technology for unstructured data structuring, I promise.
Therefore, Google loses to those who can structure and apply that to their bots.
Erich Schmidt, Segey Brin and Larry Page had not had reverence, respect to Intellectual Property. Now they should pay for that.
Go figure…I just started using Hangouts for MMS yesterday. Not…LOLOLOL