Google's Allo chat app is a clever but not all that smart virtual assistant

Five considerations to make when deciding whether to pick up the app

Google wants to add a middleman to your mobile chats - a personal virtual assistant who's not shy about interjecting itself into the conversation.

The new Allo app promises to be "smart", sort of. Its Google Assistant will butt in with restaurant recommendations when someone types, "Want to get sushi?" It can also send daily updates on weather and sports and will also suggest replies to your friends' messages.