Hangouts - what is this program and is it needed on the phone. Google Hangouts messaging service

Hangouts (Google talk) - Internet pager from Google... Hangouts reminds at the same time popular services ICQ and Skype, since it allows you to transfer both text and voice information... Share photos, add emoji emoticons, organize video meetings.

One cannot but agree with the fact that for the average user who does not have any special pretensions, it is not difficult to come up with an application that would combine all the necessary functionality. But the trouble is that today the offer of a wide variety of messengers is so great that our eyes run wide. I don't want to try everything, but do it right away right choice – great alternative... Hangouts is quite young, but only its army of fans has already been recruited and continues to grow.

PC Application Features

The functionality of Google Hangouts for Windows 7 does not lag behind the capabilities of most popular messengers... Each dialogue, if necessary, can be transformed into a video call. Videoconferencing supports simultaneous work with 30 contacts. This app allows you to exchange texts, stickers and emoticons, photos and gifs.

From useful additions it is worth noting using google Drive. This cloud service is well integrated into Hangouts. This greatly simplifies the work with files. That is why this messenger from Google is positioned more as a business application. With its help, you can organize teamwork on documents remotely.

Hangouts allows you to phone calls both to mobile phones and landlines. But, to implement this opportunity, you need to create an account in Google Voice.

A great feature of this app is to describe your mood. A field of 140 characters is reserved for this. It is possible to turn off incoming messages using the "Do not disturb" function. The application has a minimum of settings. You can make Hangouts your default chat app, customize the sound of incoming messages, and add unwanted contacts into a black list".

This messenger from Google has a division of contacts into circles: friends, acquaintances, subscriptions (to you) and family. For each group, you can create your own message delivery status. Messages from family members can be received as soon as they arrive. And from your subscriptions, 2-3 times a day. This way you can optimally allocate your time, and not waste it on not very important messages.

Description

Communication gives positive emotions today. Most of the audience is constantly on the Internet online, sending their emotions in the form of emoticons or simply sharing vivid photos from their vacation vacations. Knowing the needs of the audience, developers are constantly trying to release new tools for high-quality communication between people. After downloading the Hangouts app to their computer, the user can try new level chatting with friends.

The program is specially designed for communication with friends in the form of text messages, audio and video calls, communication via chat. Freely sharing colorful selfies, real-time video conversations, sending exciting video demos, chatting up to 10 friends - all this comfort and more will be provided by Hangouts. Easy switching between SMS / MMS modes. A friend or interlocutor can be found in the address book integrated in the application toolbox, if necessary, it is possible to send a contact from the same address book to another interlocutor.

In the application, it is possible to write a text message to the interlocutor when he is not online. The SMS will be saved and read by the addressee immediately after it appears on the network. Now you can take advantage of the extensive communication with friends using different mobile devices and PCs, connected by means of synchronization with each other. A Java version is available - an application for the convenience of subscribers. Download Google Hangouts for Windows 7, 10 for free using the links below.

13.12.18. Google closes Hangouts and Allo messengers

Google decided to clean up its range of messengers and found that it had two unnecessary ones - Hangouts and Allo. The Hangouts messenger appeared in 2011 as part of the social network Google+ and was known for its multi-user video calling. Last year, 2 business products were created on its basis: Hangouts Meet (a video conferencing service) and Hangouts Chat ( group chat- an alternative to Slack). But the custom version of Hangouts has now been decided to close. As for the Allo messenger - it was positioned as a house for virtual google assistant Assistant (in it you can communicate not only with real people, but also with AI). But now Google assistant built into Android by default, and the need for such a messenger has disappeared.

2017. Google unveils $ 2,000 video conferencing suite

Google has unveiled a new set of equipment for the Hangouts Meet video conferencing service. It includes a controller with touch screen 10.1-inch, speaker-microphone, 4K-camera and compact computer Asus Chromebox running on ChromeOS. The system allows you to monitor and participate in video conferences scheduled in Google Calendar. The user can connect new participants to the conversation and disconnect them. The controller is equipped with HDMI port to connect to a computer. The camera transmits images in 4K resolution, the viewing angle is 120 degrees, which allows you to cover large group people. The kit costs $ 1999.

2017. Google has split Google Hangouts into Skype analogs and Slack

Google Hangouts, a chat and video conferencing service, has so far been underestimated due to incomprehensible positioning. Either it is a messenger, or video chat, or it is for entertainment, or for business. Finally, Google decided to clarify. Hangouts is now a business service. Rather, two services. The first - Hangouts Meet - is a video conferencing service (almost the same as it was, but with a new design). It is available both separately and in G Suite and allows you to create free video calls for 30 participants. The second is Hangouts Chat - a group chat for business - a full-fledged alternative to Slack with rooms, bots and integrations. It is only available to G Suite users. For the consumer segment, Google has already made messengers like Allo, Spaces and Duo. ***

2016. Acer Chromebase - Monitor with Integrated Video Conferencing

Google unveiled its Chromebox video conferencing hardware two years ago. This is a box that connects to any TV or monitor and allows you to organize a video meeting room based on the Google Hangouts service. However, Acer thought that a box, wires, a webcam, a microphone, a TV were too difficult for a small business (and video conferencing is also needed there). Therefore, Acer has released a "simpler-nowhere" system for video conferencing - Acer Chromebase. It's a 24-inch monitor and you just plug it in and voila, your video conference room is ready. The monitor has a very wide viewing angle of 178 ° so that all participants at the table can clearly see. The monitor also has a customizable HD camera, 4 microphones and 2 speakers. The cost of the system is $ 800. Recall that the Google Hangouts service allows free video conferences for up to 25 participants. Incl. users without a Google account can participate in them through a browser. ***

2015. Google Hangouts allowed users without a Google account to make video calls

A month ago, Skype allowed inviting users to video calls without an account, and now the same feature is being introduced by the main competitor of Skype (in the field of video calls) - Google Hangouts. To invite a user who does not have an account, it will be enough to send him a link with using google Calendar. A person will have to go through it and enter their name, after which they will have access to a video call through a web browser. To ensure the safety and confidentiality of the conversation, the initiator will receive notifications with an offer to accept or reject the interlocutor. New feature It will be useful primarily for business - for communication and customer support, which is inconvenient to force to register somewhere. ***

2015. Google Hangouts became an independent service

The Google Hangouts messenger, popular for its free group video calling feature, got its own website and became an independent service. Previously, it was only available on the Google+ social network, and then appeared in the GMail mail. However, messengers now rule, not mail and social networks, so Google took such a step. By the way, social google network+ generally decided to disassemble in parts, tk. it did not meet the company's expectations. Recently, the service was separated from it. Google photos and disconnected from the general authorization. As for Google Hangouts, right on the service's website you can now see your contact list, exchange messages, make voice and video calls (so far only if you have installed a plug-in to your browser). We also remind you that the Google Hangouts service is available in paid package business applications Google Apps. ***

2014. Google Hangouts app released for Windows and Chromebooks

Previously, the Google Hangouts service worked on computers only in a browser and provided the plug-in was installed. However, for a full-fledged messenger(which Google Hangouts wants to be) is not enough. After all, not every user will constantly keep their browser open, waiting for someone to call. That's why Google released this desktop app. True, this is a Chrome application, so for it to work, you still need a Chrome browser on your computer (not necessarily working). The application constantly works in the background and notifies you of incoming messages or calls. Also, it supports outgoing VoIP calls and sending SMS. And, they say that the video communication in it is of higher quality (remember, Google Hangouts allows free video conferences for up to 10 participants). ***

Previously, Google Hangouts only had chat and video chat. Then (last year) Google added voice communication, but only in the web version and in Chrome browser... Now the opportunity to commit voice calls became available in the Google Hangouts mobile applications for iPhone and Android. Thus, Google Hangouts and Google Voice services have almost merged. Calls to other Hangouts users are free, as are calls to numbers in the US and Canada. Tariffs for calls to other countries are quite low. To Russian landline phones- 0.74 rubles / min mobile 4.44 rubles / min. To try a new feature for Android, you need to install latest version Hangouts (version 2.3 required), then install Hangouts Dialer to activate voice communication.

2014. Google Hangouts unlinked from Google+, added to Google Apps

Google has decided to stop imposing its Google+ social network on businesses that at least in terms of using her service for Hangouts video calling. Now Google users Apps do not need to have a Google+ account to make video calls. Because Hangouts has become full component Google Apps. This also means guaranteed 99.9% availability, 24/7 support and additional opportunities for an administrator to control video calls. In addition, the number of people who can simultaneously participate in Hangouts video conference has been increased from 10 to 15. Thus, Google Apps users receive a full-fledged video conferencing service that makes it very easy to organize both regular video calls and solid video conferencing using professional video conferencing equipment. ***

2014. Google wants to embed its video calling into all business applications

Google has taken on the business of pushing the Google+ Hangouts video calling service into business. He first released a Chromebox-based video conferencing system for meeting rooms, then integrated Hangouts with the leading video conferencing systems Polycom and Cisco, and recently released a video conferencing plug-in for Outlook. And now Google invites all business application developers to embed the Hangout button in their products. And many have already taken this offer. For example, the Google video link button is already in Salesforce CRM, Zendesk customer support, Smartsheet project management, Zoho Connect, Zoho Recruit, and more. ***

2014. Google Releases Video Conferencing Plugin for Outlook

Some Google Apps users instead of native GMail mail use desktop MS Outlook. Therefore, until now, they have not had the chat and video calling capabilities that GMail has. Of course, there is Outlook and Microsoft Lync integration, but companies using Google Apps are unlikely to use Microsoft Lync. Therefore, Google decided to fix this situation and released a plug-in for the Google Hangouts video calling service for Outlook. It allows you to easily video call your contacts from Outlook, host video conferences for up to 10 people, and schedule video calls using Outlook calendar... As a reminder, the integration of Skype and Outlook.com has recently started working, but it only works with online version Outlook. ***

2014. Google Hangouts integrated with Polycom, Cisco and other video conferencing

We recently reported that Google released the Chromebox for Meetings video conferencing system for meeting rooms. But Google's adventures in this area did not end there. It turns out that Vidyo (manufacturer corporate systems video calling) provides a platform for the Google Hangouts service. So, this company has attached the VidyoH2O service to this platform, which now allows Google Hangouts users to participate in video meetings with users of adult corporate video conferencing systems - Polycom, Cisco, Avaya, Lifesize and others (supporting H.323 / SIP standards). Thus, there are ample opportunities for organizing high-quality intercorporate video communication. True, this service is not free, but costs from $ 99 / month per user. ***

2014. Google has released a video conferencing system for meeting rooms

Corporate video conferencing systems (ala Polycom, Tandberg ...) cost tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars, and their installation and maintenance is enough difficult task... On the other hand, video communication services ( Skype type, GoToMeeting ...) do not provide the kind of immersive experience that would make business users stop traveling altogether. Therefore, gasoline and air tickets are still very expensive items in many companies. Google decided to fight this evil and released professional system videoconferencing at google base Hangouts - Chromebox for Meetings. It costs only $ 999 + $ 250 / year (you only need to pay a monthly fee starting from the second year). As the name implies, the basis of the system is the Chromebox - Google's serial computer based on Chrome OS. In addition, the system includes a Logitech HD camera, microphone, remote control and any LCD TV. ***

2013. Google Hangouts now support HD quality

Google today announced that it has added support high resolution(HD) in your free service for Google Hangouts video conferencing. The video call toolbar will show new icon by clicking on which you can select desired resolution video stream, up to HD. This opportunity will first appear for Hangouts versions on Air, which is used to host webinars and video feeds on Google+ and YouTube. And in a couple of weeks, the feature will be available to all users. Of course, if you want your video stream to be seen in HD quality, you need to buy a dedicated HD camera. In the near future, Google also plans to implement WebRTC technology in Hangouts so that the service can be used without installing a browser plug-in.

As you remember, as a result of the epic merger of Google's communication services (GMail Chat, Google Talk and Google Hangouts), only Google Hangouts remained, but it lacked voice communication (there was only chat and video chat). It turns out that the ability to make VoIP calls disappeared from GMail, and many did not like it. Therefore, Google (in just 2 months) screwed voice communication to Hangouts. You can now make internet calls from GMail, Google+, and the Hangouts Chrome app. You can make calls both between computers and regular phones... You can also connect participants to a Hangouts conference using voice. But so that we do not die of happiness, Google has so far decided not to add voice communication to mobile applications Hangouts (for iOS and Android). So, for now, call only from the desktop.

2013. Google merges GTalk with Hangouts

Developers on Google have so much work to do (mostly on Google Glass) that they just don't have time to tackle the rest of the (useful) products. For several years now, users have been waiting for Google to finally merge its disparate communications services to compete with Skype. And finally, this task was given a couple of weeks and it is half completed. The Google Talk messenger is discontinued and will now be replaced by Google Hangouts video chat. Google has released two Hangouts apps: for Android and iOS. Additionally, Hangouts is available on GMail and Google+. All of your Hangouts chat clients are synchronized, so you can start a conversation on your computer (in GMail) and continue it out of the office on your smartphone. You can insert pictures and videos from Youtube into the chat. Video chat supports up to 10 people at the same time. ***

2012. Google is replacing video chat in GMail with Hangouts

It is high time for Google to put in order (integrate) the variety of its chat / VoIP / video chat services. And he started doing it with the simplest and most effective step - replacing video chat in GMail with Hangouts. Both services used the same browser plugin and the same authorization. Only Hangouts provides much more possibilities: free video conferencing for 10 people, screen-sharing, whiteboard, joint editing of documents from Google docs, shared viewing Youtube video, webinars, etc. (there is a whole directory of applications from third party developers). In addition, now you can make video calls not only to contacts in GMail, but also to those who have an open social network Google+, and not only in the browser, but also on Android, iPhone or iPad. The replacement will take place gradually over a period of 2 weeks. ***

2012. Google+ Hangouts Now Available on iPhone and iPad

It is very strange that Apple is not particularly eager to crush the video communications market and does not even interfere with its competitors. Although it was with the advent of iPhone mobile video calling became popular, and Skype's position was shaken. But since then Apple app for video calling, Facetime has barely evolved, and competitors continue to use it. A new Google+ iPad app released yesterday with Hangouts video chat support and updated app Google+ for iPhone, which also features video chat. We remind you that Google+ Hangouts allows you to organize online video meetings for up to 10 participants - for free. In addition to iOS, Google video chat works on Android smartphones and tablets, as well as on any computers via a web browser and a small plugin. ***

2012. Google+ Hangouts On Air - Available for Business

The On Air feature, which allows you to organize online meetings in a webinar format, was available in Google service+ Hangouts since it was opened. But it was not available to everyone, but only to select stars of show business and politics. Google announced yesterday that anyone can now host unlimited webinars (and for free). Of course, this feature will be very useful for many companies for organizing corporate meetings and webinars / presentations for clients. On Air differs from a regular online Google Hangout meeting in that it has a host / moderator point (who mostly speaks) and everyone else can join as spectators. The moderator can turn off the sound of any viewer or, conversely, make his video the centerpiece. The webinar recording can be immediately uploaded to YouTube so that those who did not have time to attend it live can see it.

How did Skype become super popular? Through video communication. How does Skype make money? On IP telephony. Google failed to repeat the same trick with GTalk / GMail / Google Voice. Because there is already Skype. But perhaps it will be possible to do this with the help of the rapidly gaining popularity of the Google Hangouts group video chat. This is what Google is going to do - integrate Hangouts with IP telephony. Recently in Hangouts, it became possible to call landline and mobile phones and connect people who are in this moment are not at the computer. This is especially true for business meetings when you need to connect an external counterparty to the meeting. However, while these external calls work only to the USA and Canada (and for free). But there is no doubt that they will soon be available in other countries as well at Google Voice VoIP rates.

Google Hangouts enables users around the world to video chat, collaborate and easily share information, host meetings, and host movie nights. The Google Hangouts app is packed with different functions, which you can familiarize yourself with by reading this article.

Steps

Create a Google Hangouts account

Sign up to Google+. To do this, you need an account google entry, for example, the one you use to log in to Gmail. Google+ is a social network designed for Google users.

Find the Hangout window. The contact list is located on the right side google pages+. In it you can view the list of existing Hangout contacts as well as the persons with whom you have contacted by e-mail.

Create a new Hangout. Click on the "+ Add new Hangout" field at the top of your contact list. This will open a list of your Google+ circles. Check the box next to the people you want to add to the Hangout dialogue.

• No matter what operating system you use, clicking on a contact or Hangout dialog opens a chat window. If the person you are chatting with is offline, they will receive the messages you left when they log into their account in Hangout.
• You can also search for people or circles by entering a name, address Email or a phone number in the appropriate field at the top of the contact list.

1. Select the Hangout dialogue format. You can start a video chat or exchange messages, and at any time you can switch these modes.

   Chat on Google+ Hangouts

   1. Add emoticons to the dialogue. If you click on the smiley face on the left side of the chat box, you will open a list of smiles that you can use. They are sorted into categories, which you can switch between by clicking on the icons at the top of the list of emoticons.

      Share images. You can send pictures to the Hangout dialog by clicking on the camera icon on the right side of the chat field, after which the window for selecting images (computer) or the menu for selecting parameters on mobile devices will open.

      • You can use your webcam or phone camera to take and share pictures, or add photos from other sources such as computer memory or phone memory.

   2. Customize your chat options. If you are using a computer, click on the gear icon in the chat window to set your data archiving preferences. You can also block the person you are chatting with.

      • If you are using mobile devices, click on the menu button and select necessary actions in the dialog box that appears.

   3. Switch to video chat mode. Click on the button with the video camera in the upper part of the chat window. Your interlocutor will receive a notification that you are trying to start a video chat. This mode is available on both computers and mobile devices.

      • For video chat, all participants do not need a webcam. You can arrange video chat with one video camera and microphone, or even reply to text mode.

   Hangout Party

   1. Open the Google+ site. In the lower right corner of the page, you will see a link by clicking on which you can create a Hangout Party. This is a group video chat in which up to ten participants can take part at the same time. Hangout Party allows attendees to connect in both video and text mode. You can share links to videos on YouTube and work with documents.

      • Users mobile phones can also join the Party, but they will have limited access to some additional functions, such as watching videos on YouTube or working with documents in Google Docs.

   2. Describe the reason for the meeting and invite people. After you start the Hangout Dialogue, you will be prompted to enter a description and add people. The description entered will be sent out along with the invitations.

      • You can install age limit by providing access to the call to users 18 and older.

   3. Start chatting. If your webcam is set up correctly, you can start chatting right away. On the right side of the window is text chat... If you don't see any text messages, click on the chat icon on the right side of the page.

      Take screenshots. If there is something on the screen that you would like to save or remember, click on the Make Image button on the left side of the menu. A camera icon will appear at the bottom of the page, by clicking on which you can take a screenshot.

      Share links to YouTube videos. Click on the YouTube button in the menu on the left to launch the YouTubeHangout app. You can add videos to the playlist, and they will be played simultaneously for everyone. Press blue button Add Video to Playlist to search YouTube videos.

      • Videos will play in the main conversation window. Each participant in the conversation will be able to change the playlist and skip the videos.
      • The microphone will be muted while watching. Click on the green "Push to talk" button to say something while watching.

   4. Show the screen. You can use a Hangouts conversation to share your screen. Click on the "Show Screen" button in the menu on the left. A new window will appear with a list of all windows and programs open on your device. You can show a specific window, or the entire screen as a whole.

      Add effects to your video. Click on the Google Effects button in the menu on the left. The effects menu will appear on the right instead of the chat window. You can add special effects to videos such as frames, glasses, hats and other gags.

      • Click on the arrows at the top of the effects page to change categories.
      • To undo all superimposed effects, click on the link "x Remove all effects" which is located at the bottom of the corresponding menu.

   5. Collaboration with documents. You can add to Hangout dialog google docs Drive so that all participants in the conversation can work with them at the same time. To open Google drive, click on the "Add Applications" button. Select Google Drive from the list that appears.

      Disconnect your microphone or camera. If you need to turn off the microphone, click on the button on the right side of the window, which looks like a microphone crossed out by an oblique line. When the microphone is muted, the icon turns red.

      • To turn off the video, click on the camera icon with a crossed-out line. The interlocutors will still hear you, unless you also mute the microphone.

   6. Adjust the video resolution settings. If the image is not clear, lower the video resolution by clicking on the button in the menu on the right, after which a scroll bar will open where you can select the video quality. Moving the slider to the right will lower the video quality. If you move it all the way to the right, only sound will go without an image ..

      Adjust the camera and microphone settings. Click on the gear icon on the right upper corner menu to set required settings... A window will appear with a small image of your webcam. Here you can select the devices you want to use. This is very useful if you have multiple cameras or microphones connected ..

      Leave Hangout Dialogue. After you have finished chatting, click the exit button, which is located in the upper right corner of the chat window. The icon looks like a telephone receiver on the base.