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Google Hangouts finally supports Apple Watch
The latest update for Hangouts on iOS won't tell you this, but Google's instant messaging app will play nicely with your Apple Watch now. What the change log does say, however, is that you can now reply to notifications in-line -- but that means following up via Apple's wearable is an option. You can pick from a handful of pre-written responses, but those don't include canned messages for telling your coworker to bring funky-flavored KitKat bars from Japan to CES. No, that's where using voice dictation comes in, silly. If your iOS gizmo hasn't updated yet, we've got you covered at the source link below.
Google now lets you join Hangouts as a guest, no account needed
The worst thing about organizing an online meeting is squabbling over platform. Should you choose WebEx? Skype? Google? Your decision just got a little easier. As of today, you no longer need to have a Google account to join a meeting Hosted on Hangouts -- just a link.
Hangouts video calls are getting a quality boost
Google isn't giving up in its bid to improve Hangouts' call quality any time soon. It just introduced a redesigned web calling experience that, on top of a simpler interface, improves quality across the board. Video chats should not only look better overall, but start faster and stay sharper. Only a handful of Hangouts users get to try this right now, but it should expand worldwide in the near future. Just be aware that you may lose some features you like -- as one early adopter notes, app support within Hangouts is currently missing. That doesn't necessarily mean that the support is gone for good, but you shouldn't count on it coming back.
FCC to build an open source video platform for ASL users
The FCC is developing a video access platform that will allow American Sign Language (ASL) users to communicate with businesses and government agencies more easily, Chairman Tom Wheeler announced on Thursday. With it, users will be able to make video calls as well as send text and audio to the person on the other end of the line. What's more, the platform will not only enable the creation of function-specific desktop and mobile apps that, say, allow users to connect with FCC reps through a relay service staffed by people fluent in ASL. It will also serve as an interoperability standard for existing IP-based video conferencing apps like Skype or Google Hangouts. And, since the code is open source, any developer will be able to integrate this functionality into their app.
Google builds a standalone Hangouts website
Google has built Hangouts its own website, but it's not spinning it out of Gmail completely like the company did with several properties to form its new parent corporation. It's just one of the (many, many) ways to access the messaging service, in case you'd rather not keep Gmail open or your default browser is Firefox/MS Edge and, hence, can't install the Chrome extension. The website's photo background changes every few minutes like Chromecast's, and it has quick links to video calling, voice calling and messaging.
'Faster, sleeker and simpler' Hangouts arrives on Android
Google released its Hangouts 4.0 for the Android platform on Monday. First and foremost, the app now has been reskinned with material design. It also features a simplified compose button as well as a streamlined contacts list and file attachment function. What's more, the company has reportedly has even gotten the app to consume less power thanks to improved messaging speeds and "obsessively fixing bugs." They're basically the same set of UI and performance tweaks that we saw at the end of June when the iOS version updated to the new material design version. [Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Android flaw lets attackers into your phone through MMS videos
If you're an Android user, you'd better hope that a stranger doesn't send you a video message in the near future -- it might compromise your phone. Security researchers at Zimperium have discovered an exploit that lets attackers take control if they send a malware-laden MMS video. The kicker is that you may not even need to do anything to trigger the payload, depending on your text messaging app of choice. While the stock Messenger app won't do anything until you see the message, Hangouts' pre-processing for media attachments could put you at risk before you're even aware that there's a message waiting.
Google Hangouts for iOS gets a redesign, better performance
Frustrated with the Google Hangouts app on iOS from time to time? Us too. Mountain View updated the mobile software today with a refreshed UI and more. First, you'll likely notice the new coat of Material Design paint that tidies things up a bit. Heck, even the dialer got a redesign. There's also a new quick compose button that allows you to quickly send messages to the folks you chat with often. Access to images from the gallery, camera or emoji library is easier too, and you can now send multiple photos at once. The update includes the usual bug fixes and performance improvements, and the latter hopefully remedies a few of the headaches some of us at Engadget HQ have been experiencing lately. The goods are available now at iTunes, and the Android version is said to arrive shortly.
Google makes a Hangouts Mac app you'll want to use
Listen up, OSX users: with the new Hangouts update from Google you might actually want to use the official app rather than Adium. It consolidates your contacts on the left side of one window and puts your chats on the right as you'll see below. It's pretty simple and intuitive and is rocking Mountain View's Material Design style, and frankly the simplification feels a bit overdue. Google's Mayur Kamat writes that you can take advantage of the new features on Chrome OS, Linux and Windows too but you'll have to disable "transparent mode" first.
Google+ is being broken into services you might want to use
It's been the punchline to plenty of gags, and now it looks as if Google is finally ready to do something with its homegrown social network. The search engine has announced that the photography and social elements of Google+ are being broken into two separate products, one called Photos and the other named Streams. In a post on Google+, company VP (and Radiohead fan) Bradley Horowitz announced that he was taking charge of the outfit, adding that the move is a positive improvement to both products.
Google exec hints at Photos, Hangouts and G+ split
Rumors have long suggested that Google might separate the parts of Google+ that people have been most interested in -- photos and messaging / Hangouts -- away from the social network's main stream. Now it appears that Sundar Pichai agrees with that viewpoint, but unlike angry YouTube commenters, he can actually do something about it since he controls Google products like Plus, search, Chrome and Android. In a pre-Mobile World Congress interview with Forbes, Pichai said that going forward, we'll see the company deal with Hangouts, photos and the Google+ stream as three "important" areas, instead of one. While Google+ has apparently done the job of creating a common login and identity across products, he says the team is working on "next generation" ideas to create "more scale at what we do."
Google Search lets you Hangout directly with businesses
Want to know if that burrito is made from sustainable, organic ingredients? If you found the restaurant on Google Search, you might be able to ask the proprietor himself on Hangouts, thanks to a new experimental feature. A Google rep told Techcrunch that it's testing text chat from Search with a few businesses like Dizengoff restaurant in Philadelphia. If that functionality rings a bell, it looks a lot like Path's Talk, which also lets you text businesses with questions. However, Google's new feature can be launched directly from Search and works differently.
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 is testing Hangouts-based customer service
Google isn't exactly known for interacting directly with its customers, but according to TechCrunch, the company wants to change that -- if you're looking to a buy a new gadget. Apparently, Mountain View has started testing a service on the Play Devices page that connects you to a Google Device Expert through Hangouts. Remember Helpouts, that portal the company introduced in 2013 where you can get lessons or ask for advice from professionals for a price? It's somewhat similar as they both go through Hangouts, but consultation for this service is thankfully free. You'll simply have to navigate to Devices' Help section and choose Video call to ask actual human reps about the smartphones, tablets and Chromebooks the company's selling. Curiously, it doesn't include Nest and its products Dropcam and Protect, so you're on your own if you're in the process of automating your home. [Image credit: Shutterstock]
Microsoft's Android lock screen now shows your music and online chats
Microsoft's intelligent take on an Android front end, Next Lock Screen, just got much more useful if you're a music maven or love to chat online. An updated version not only brings music controls to the lock screen (as you'll sometimes see elsewhere), but surfaces your Hangouts, Line and Skype messages -- you'll know at a glance whether or not that friend got back to you. The new software shows MMS chats, too. While it may still feel a bit odd to use an Android interface add-on from the folks in Redmond, the revamp is big enough that you'll want to give it a shot if your phone's existing lock layout just isn't cutting it.
Hangouts for iOS now shows your Google Voice messages
If you rely on your iPhone for Google Voice, Hangouts just became much, much more useful. As on Android, the messaging app's iOS version now shows your Google Voice texts and voicemail -- you won't have to switch apps just because you're embroiled in an online conversation. There are a few tangible upgrades even if you live well outside of Google Voice's service area, for that matter. You now get smart suggestions for sharing your location when it's relevant, and you can set status messages if you're eager to let everyone know what you're doing. All told, it's easily worth swinging by the App Store for an update.
Hangouts for Gmail brings back the status update
Back when Google Talk ran Gmail-based chats, a handy custom status window made sure all your colleagues and pals knew what you were up to. When Hangouts took over, the tool fell by the wayside. Well, now it's back. Hangouts in Gmail allows you to deliver that info once more, just like you would on AIM or Facebook, complete with the appropriate (or inappropriate) emoji should the need arise. Of course, if you're looking to let folks know when you're busy, you'll need to make sure you've made the switch to the "new Hangouts" first.
Hangouts eavesdrops on your chats to offer 'smart suggestions'
Google's Hangouts is gaining a handy, but slightly creepy new feature today. The popular chat app will now act as a digital spy-slash-valet by eavesdropping on your conversations to offer "smart suggestions." For instance, if a pal asks "where are you?" it'll immediately prompt you to share your location, then open a map so you can pin it precisely. It'll also try to help if it detects certain other phrases in a conversation using artificial intelligence tech that Google recently purchased from a company called Emu. Google said the suggestions are "the start of something new," which may not reassure folks already concerned that it's a tad too invasive already. To be fair, though, it's not far from how Google currently monitors email and searches to deliver targeted ads.
Google releases standalone Messenger app for Android
But what about Hangouts, you ask? Well, that application isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it would seem. Yet, Google isn't doing it any favors by outing a standalone version of Messenger, an app with very similar messaging features to the aforementioned. Messenger does come pre-installed on Android Lollipop, alongside Hangouts, but now it's available to devices running version 4.1 (or higher) of Google's operating system. As expected, you can use Messenger for SMS and MMS phone functions, in addition to being able to send and receive audio messages. The app is also quite elegant, since it does come with the new Material Design look. If you're running a compatible smartphone or tablet, Messenger is available to download from Google Play -- or you can grab the APK from here.
Google Voice finally lets you send MMS messages through Verizon
One of the biggest hangups of Google Voice has been the absence of MMS when talking to Verizon subscribers; you couldn't really lean on Voice for all your messaging, even if many other carriers were onboard. Well, consider that problem solved. Voice now officially supports MMS when Verizon customers are involved, so there shouldn't be rude surprises when either end wants to share more than just text. Google is simultaneously adding native MMS photo support for everyone who uses Voice in Hangouts, so recipients can see pictures in-line rather than click on a link. Reports from users suggest that upgrades may not have reached everyone yet, so don't fret if people are still receiving links. Provided everything falls into place, though, you'll have one more reason to stick with Google's internet-savvy service.
