Google Allo messaging

Another new messaging app from Google ...
Messaging is such a fragmented communication medium, unlike email that is universal. There is no point being on a specific messaging app unless all your friends are also on that app as they do not currently interconnect e.g. iMessage to Telegram to Hangouts etc. To get a sufficiently large number of users to move from their existing messaging app you have to offer something really innovative and useful.

Allo is a messaging app with Google built right in | The Verge:

Google Hangouts Upgraded

So now you can Hangout to any number in the world ...
Google Hangouts already allowed you to message or speak to another Google user for free but now you can call any ordinary telephone number in the would (equivalent to Skype and for about the same cost per minute). Definitely a cheaper way to call home from overseas if you have access to free Wi-Fi.

Google Hangouts Gets Google Voice Integration And Free VoIP Calls | TechCrunch:

What is Telegram?

Messaging app with a difference ...
There are now so many messaging apps like WhatsApp, Kik etc what makes Telegram any different? Well it is Open Source and designed to be the fastest and most secure messaging system. Nowadays with the NSA and who knows who reading all our messages, Telegram might really have something to offer!

Why Telegram has become the hottest messaging app in the world | The Verge: