🖥️We invite you to a better platform

Allo!

As many of us know, the way we work has changed at an increasingly impressive pace over the last two years. Oftentimes we are required to use many tools to get our work done, and while leveraging new tools and workflows are incredibly useful they do not come without a cost. Research states that it takes an average of 23 minutes to regain focus after a distraction, and additionally that "it is difficult for people to transition their attention away from an unfinished task and their subsequent task performance suffers".  This phenomenon is likely not surprising as there are books and articles coaching, on how to engage in "Deep work" or how to achieve flow state appearing in the cultural conversation.  And while we know that it's sometimes impossible to avoid interruptions, we would like to provide our own way of helping with the countless tabs we often see in our user's browsers.

🖥️Meet the desktop app.

Allo was first a web-based app, and after popular request, we created the warmly received desktop app. The reason for this is the native desktop platform is optimized to increase productivity. Let's take a closer look at the benefits.

Focus on your work without distractions

When you use the desktop app, you work in a window dedicated to Allo, so you can maximize your concentration without being disturbed. In addition, various files attached to the Allo canvas are not just included in the document, but real-time editing and previewing are possible in a separate window. Unlike the web app where the working environment is limited by the size of the browser window, when using the desktop app, screen space can be used more freely, which helps a ton when writing documents, or when using multiple screens. Video chat is also provided in a separate window, so you do not have to suffer from your colleagues friendly faces obscuring documents or the canvas.

See and respond to notifications faster

Browsers are less immediate. For example, in Allo, when a team member asks for help or tags one another, its easy to miss unless the recipient has their browser open.  In other words, even in urgent situations, notifications are competing with other tabs. Potentially leading to dropped balls or miscommunications. Conversely, if you use the desktop app, you can receive desktop app notifications even if you are looking at another screen, and if the app is on, new notifications are always displayed, so you can check them as needed.

• For example, on macOS, a notification badge appears on the App icon in the Dock when there is an unchecked notification to notify users from time to time, and it also appears in the menu bar for easy access to Allo.

Are you ready to try the Allo desktop app? We briefly guide you on how to use it.

• You can download the desktop app by clicking Download at the top of the Allo homepage.

• If you are using a web browser, do not miss the blue banner that appears at the top! Click the Download button to download the app.

• If you access the web browser even after installing the app, you can open the current canvas in the app through the banner at the top.

Improvements & Bug Fixes🐛🦋

• Version history is now hidden on tablet and mobile applications.
• The last used sharable link (can view, can comment, etc.) will stay the same until a new permission level is used, preventing accidental editing.

We are eager to hear your thoughts and oftentimes are inspired by our users, please send us your feedback anytime.

Cheers,

—The Allo Team