Hangouts - what is this program and is it needed

Google Hangouts - what is it? For starters, it's a great communication tool, quite capable of competing with Skype and other instant messaging applications. Read more about the program in the article!

Hangouts for desktop and phone is Google's unified messaging service. It has the reputation of being an alternative to Skype because it allows users to communicate with friends and family in real time, not only through video calls. The program can send text and voice messages, send files and create group chats.

Service history

Prior to the launch of Hangouts, Google supported several similar but technologically separate messaging services and platforms in its product suite. These included corporate Google Talk, Google+ Messenger, and Google+'s Hangouts feature, which provided messaging, voice messaging, and video conferencing features. However, increasing competition from services such as Facebook Messenger, iMessage and WhatsApp led to the decision to abandon the existing Google Talk system and code a new messaging product in collaboration with several development teams. The Hangouts service was officially launched during the Google conference on May 15, 2013.

In the future, Google plans to develop Hangouts into two products: Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat. Hangouts Meet should focus on video conferencing. The Hangouts Chat application will focus on instant messaging. It will also come with additional features such as helper bots and message streaming.

Briefly about the program

It is known that Hangouts is a great way to communicate between users who have a gadget with the Android operating system (the application is automatically built into each device) or a Google account. The Hangouts app can be used as a replacement for the standard Messages app found on every mobile device. Hangouts in translation from English means "meeting place", which fully reflects the purpose of the application - virtual meetings with family, friends and colleagues. Let's take a closer look at all the services that are part of Google Hangouts.

Hangouts - what is this program and is it needed

This app is a great way to talk to your friends using internet data instead of standard SMS. Android users who have installed Hangouts have the option to use instant messaging.

Unfortunately, there is no super-fast way to merge contacts. You need to go to the "Contacts" or "People" section on your device, click on a contact and go to the menu. The required option will be named either "Link" or "Merge Contacts".

Application usage

To make it easier to get used to using the application, we recommend that you use the following mini-instruction for those who see the program for the first time and wonder what Hangouts is and how to use it.

Hangouts connects to your Google account. If you have a chat history, it will be displayed in the main part of the screen. On the right side of the screen, you will see a specific conversation.

The Hangouts app displays incoming conversation requests, but you can also start your own conversations.

To stop receiving message notifications, you must exit the app. Go to "Menu". Select "Settings" and then "Sign Out". Click OK.

Conversations are archived in the Hangouts app. To view a previous text conversation, select it from the list. Part of the previous chat is displayed on the right side of the screen. Video calls are not archived, but you can always view your call history.

To delete a previous conversation, double-tap on it and click on the Trash icon that appears in the on-screen contextual action bar. You can also swipe the dialog left or right to delete it.

In order for your friends to use Hangouts, they must have a Google account. Nevertheless, it does not matter through which device they correspond: a personal computer or a mobile device.

Hassle-free location indication

The location button is one of the most useful features in Hangouts. It's not always a tag that lets people track your location, it's a simple feature that lets you reduce the frequency of typing addresses or directions.

Click the Location button and click Submit. If the other person is using Hangouts, they will get a screenshot of your location which will take them to the full Maps app if they open it. If a person uses a PC application or SMS, then the location information will come to him in the format of a link, not an image.

Other Features

Hangouts also has the ability to send animated GIFs, set mood status, or automatically display which device you're currently on. Another useful feature is call status, which allows people to expect delays in response time.

Summarizing

What is Hangouts on Android and PC? It is a unified communications service that allows participants to initiate and participate in text, voice, or video chats, either one-on-one or in a group.