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Farewell to Helpouts, Google's expert-on-demand video service
On April 20th, 2015, Helpouts will follow Reader, Latitude, Schemer and many other services to wherever old Mountain View products retire. Google launched Helpouts less than two years ago as a service where anyone can ask (or pay) for advice or lessons from experts in their fields through a Hangouts session. Subjects include photography, languages, speech, math, science, art, among many other topics -- you can even use it to seek medical advice. Unfortunately, Helpouts never became popular enough even after the mobile apps were released later on. In its announcement earlier, Google said it's sunsetting the service because it "hasn't grown at the pace [the company] had expected."
Google's Helpouts service now offers expertise on your iPhone
Need to brush up on your cooking skills, but only have your iPhone close at hand? Don't panic: Google has quietly brought its Helpouts service to iOS. Much like the existing Android software, the iPhone-sized app (sorry, no iPad version) lets you schedule video chats with experts on topics ranging from baking to bike repair. Just be prepared to limit yourself to free advice -- Google isn't offering paid Helpouts in the iOS app. You'll also need to go to the web if you want to create listings for your own instructional sessions. If neither of those limitations is a deal-breaker, though, you can start taking lessons today.
Wearable Google Helpouts streaming camera shares GoPro heritage, we go hands-on (video)
Ambarella isn't exactly a household name, but the 10-year-old company's silicon has long found its way into GoPro cams and other hardware thanks to its video-compression chops and low-power tech prowess. Word broke last month that Google commissioned the outfit to produce a reference design for a wearable camera that would stream to its Helpouts service, which lets folks ask experts for help over video. Here at CES, the manufacturer's brought along a few samples of the device, and we've just put our paws all over one. Inside a plastic housing the size of a chunky matchbox, Ambarella's placed a custom chip (an A7LW, if you're curious) that endows the package with the ability to stream 1080p video at 30fps for a minimum of one hour. The housing also comes with a micro-USB port, microphone, 500mAh battery, 8GB of flash storage, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with power and "connect" buttons up top.
Google Helpouts aims to improve your life with the healing power of web video
It's like a Hangout, only with less loitering and more healing. Or something. After months of behind-the-scenes testing, Google's launching Helpouts, a new service that leverages the company's video offerings to pair users up with doctors, teachers, personal trainers and the like. Those professional life maker-betters need to list their credentials, as per the Hangout-powered service's fine print, so you don't wind up showing off that gaping shotgun wound to just any Joe Webcam (also, you should probably see a real life doctor. That looks infected). It should come as no surprise, too that the offering will be available on mobile devices, as well, so you embark on that pilates session on the bus to work. And once you're all done, you can check out with Google Wallet.
Google invites users to share their expertise over video Helpouts
Word broke in late July that Google might launch Helpouts -- a Hangout-based video platform where folks could charge for lending assistance over video -- in about a month's time. Like clockwork, Mountain View's officially announced the platform, but it isn't a free-for-all just yet. Page and Co. are inviting people with expertise in different topics to offer their services when the solution opens for business. The search giant has published a form allowing self-proclaimed experts to toss their hat in the ring for an invite, and lists categories including Arts and Music, Computers and Electronics, Cooking, Education, Fashion and Beauty, Fitness and Nutrition, Health and Counseling along with Home and Garden. Fittingly, Google's own help documents for Helpouts have gone live as well, and they give us a few more details. First, users will have to submit a listing for their services, which Google will review just before hanging out with them over video to get acquainted and ensure their live feed is in tip-top shape. If you're a medical professional, you can offer your expert opinion to the masses as well, but Mountain View will confirm you've got the proper certificates and licenses in order. Once that's done, interested customers will be able to check a pro's availability and schedule appointments. Folks can offer their skills for free or charge for sessions, but both parties must use Google Wallet for the transaction, and Google will apply a 20 percent fee (yes, even with credit card payments). A launch date for Helpouts is MIA, but you can sign up to be notified and provide a helping hand at the source.
Google reportedly testing Helpouts: professional services through Hangouts
There's no question that Google Hangouts can be helpful; wouldn't it be nice to get cash for hosting them? Google may be sympathetic to that idea. TechCrunch claims that the search firm is testing Helpouts, a service that would let most anyone book Hangouts that optionally require fees. The appointment system would lean on Google Wallet for transactions, and it would divide chats into categories such as repair (think tech support) or education. Don't assume that you'll be starting a side business just yet, though. Helpouts reportedly entered internal testing in late June, and any public launch would be "at least a month away" -- if it happens at all, that is. We've reached out to Google for answers, so we'll let you know if and when it's time to start charging for online conversations.
