Google Allo now supports multitasking, direct replies from notifications, GIFs in keyboard and more

Google has begun rolling out a new update to its Allo smart messaging app, which is available through a new version 2.0. The announcement comes from Google's official Nexus Twitter account, although the product page in the Play Store is yet to reflect the changes.

This is the first major update after Google made the Allo app available for users on both Android and iOS platforms. It was launched at the company's I/O annual event, alongside the Duo video calling app. So what's the significance of this update? The update adds support for multitasking and offers users the ability to reply directly from notifications.

A major annoyance for users since the official release was the lack of ability to replay from the message notifications. The update to Allo now adds a reply button for replying directly from the notifications. This is similar to quick replies on Hangouts and Google Messenger. According to the screenshots shared by AndroidPolice, the sender's name and image are now visible in the notifications.

Another notable feature is support for Android Wear. Very much like Hangouts and Google Messenger, the latest update allows users to reply with their voice and emoji on Android Wear. All you need to do is tap on the notification and start speaking or tap Draw emoji. Alternatively, you can reply with the automated responses. In addition to that, Allo now allows users to send GIF via keyboard. Following is the detailed changelog for the release.

• Direct replies in notifications
• Direct share
• App shortcuts for Android 7.1+
• GIFs in keyboard for Android 7.1+
• Monochrome chat in settings
• Multitasking
• Splash screen
• Incognito key alerts
• Landscape

The update is already rolling out in the Play Store. In case you can't get it, consider using the APK mirror.