Google ends support for ‘Reply’, its experimental app for smart replies

Google launched the smart reply app in February as part of Google’s “Area 120” division that incubates and tests new apps.

An illuminated Google logo is seen inside an office building in Zurich September 5, 2018. (REUTERS)

Google is putting an end to "Reply" -- its experimental smart reply app that offered responses for other third-party messaging apps like Hangouts and Messenger.

Google informed the beta testers about ending the experimental app over an email.

Google's email reads, "As you know, Reply was an experiment, and that experiment has now ended. While it might still work for the next few months, you may encounter bugs, or see that the suggestions aren't as good. We worked with teams in Google to make sure the ideas and learnings from Reply will live on in other Google products.

Apart from messaging apps, "Reply" was also supposed to roll out for other services including Calender and Maps to offer potential smart reply suggestions for appointments and commute estimates based on a user's current location and traffic conditions.

Launched in February, the smart reply app was part of Google's "Area 120" division that incubates and tests new apps.

Google plans to take into consideration learnings noted in the process of testing "Reply" and incorporate them in other products like Gmail's Smart Compose and Smart Reply, The Verge reported.