I don't think the problem is even one app. They should have had a central board where people set interoperability standards then they can build multiple apps. A

I don't think the problem is even one app. They should have had a central board where people set interoperability standards then they can build multiple apps. As long as hangouts could talk with Allo etc it doesn't matter and people can use the one they prefer and it's irelevant to another person's descion. Now Google have dug a deeper hole as there is little change any tech influencer is going to use or promote Google messaging apps to their circle. Personally I'm available on Signal, Skype and WhatsApp and it's going to take a hell of a change to make me care about trying something else.