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Google trial lets you chat with doctors when you search for symptoms
Searching the web for symptoms of illness can be dangerous -- you could identify a real condition, but you also risk scaring yourself for no reason through a misdiagnosis. Google might have a solution that puts your mind at ease, though. The company has confirmed to Engadget that it's testing a Helpouts-style feature which offers video chats with doctors when you search for symptoms. While there aren't many details of how this works in practice, the search card mentions that Google is covering the costs of any chats during the trial phase. You'll likely have to pay for virtual appointments if and when the service is ever ready for prime time, then. That's not ideal, but it could be much cheaper than seeing a physician in person. [Top image credit: AP Photo/Craig Moore]
Google's Hangouts for Chrome app offers easier desktop chatting
Fancy using Hangouts for your desktop convos? Well, Google has a new option for you: the Hangouts Chrome app. The "simpler faster" way to leverage the chatting tool offers a condensed list of contacts and conversations in a single window with alerts that allow you to quickly get to the proper thread. It's tucked neatly on the side and separate from the Chrome browser, so the option is always available. And as long as the app is running, messages will sync across your gadget arsenal. There's video and voice calling too, as well as Google Voice support to handle all of your messaging needs in one spot. The new app is available today for Chrome OS and Windows machines via the Chrome Web Store.
Google Hangouts gets a facelift, adds Google voice and VoIP calling
Google Voice and Hangouts have coexisted for a while, and while Google has pushed Hangouts as its primary messaging and chat platform, news on Voice has slowed to a trickle. Now, as TechCrunch reports, Google is revamping its Hangouts app to include Google Voice functionality and giving the app a new look at the same time. The new Google Hangouts app features the same chat functionality as before, along with free VoIP calling to numbers in the U.S. and Canada, and of course no-cost calls to other Hangouts contacts worldwide. Calls to certain international numbers will see a rate drop as well -- you can check the current prices on Google's calling rates table. Those with a Google Voice number will now get calls directly in Hangouts, and Android users will see voice and text messages appear as regular text chat in the Hangouts app. This last bit of functionality won't be available on iOS right away, but it's on the way. The app update is currently rolling out, so be sure to tap that update button as soon as it's available on your device.
Hangouts can now take your Google Voice messages (update: calling features)
Google Voice has only had a limited tie-in with Hangouts so far, but it now looks like the two are coming together in earnest. Android Police notes that you can now set up Hangouts to receive Google Voice text messages and voicemail, whether you're on mobile or the desktop. Switch on the feature and you won't have to jump between apps to deal with conversations based on where they came from. You may not want to migrate just yet, though -- replies aren't working perfectly at the moment, and it otherwise appears that Google flicked the switch a little early. There should be a Hangouts update soon, though, so those glitches might not stick around for much longer. Update: Google has announced an upgrade to Hangouts that lets you make free internet-based calls (not explicitly linked with Voice) to real-world numbers. Much like what you've seen in Gmail, reaching out to the US and Canada is free; it'll only cost you when you call abroad. The feature should be available on Android, iOS and the web beginning today; Droid-Life has an Android download link if you're not seeing the update just yet.
Applause for Google Hangouts lets you give live broadcasts a thumbs up
Google+ Hangouts On Air lets you ask your favorite broadcasters questions, but what if you want to give them feedback without littering the Q&A feed with snarky, off-topic judgments? Well, now you can. Google just updated its live broadcasting service with Applause: a simple feature that allows viewers to give live streams a thumbs up or thumbs down in real time. Feedback is instantly charted below the video, offering broadcasters and viewers alike an at-a-glance view of how the stream is performing. That's all there is to it -- check out Google's short announcement at the source link below.
Hangouts in Gmail finally floats online friends to the top
Those of us who've been frustrated that Hangouts in Gmail has been displaying conversations in chronological order rather than who's online are about to get some relief. Rolling out over the next few days, a new tab in the Hangouts window will allow you to toggle your contacts list there, so you can easily see who's available at the top of the group. What's more, you'll also be able to pin your favorites above the rest -- whether they're online or not. Of course, you'll need to click the "Try the new Hangouts" option in the setting pane in order to leverage the conversation method, if you haven't already done so.
Google's experimental Hangouts app borrows inspiration from Facebook
Ever since it ditched Google Talk and integrated everything into Hangouts, Google's messaging service has become pervasive on mobile and the web. While the search giant routinely adds new features, a bigger update could be on the way, at least according to a new leak from Chrome tinkerer Florian Kiersch. He got his hands on a recent test build of Hangouts, known internally as UltraViolet, that shows Google is testing a new interface that mimics the "chat heads" found in Facebook's Messenger app on Android. According to Kiersch, floating profile icons are just one of the many UI changes expected to come to Hangouts in the near future, but thanks to the experimental nature of the leaked browser app, it's the only new feature we're able to lay eyes on, at least for now.
Google Voice offers web-based calls through Hangouts, no G+ profile needed
The rumor is that eventually we're going to see Google Voice merged completely into Hangouts, and that's getting even closer to becoming reality. You can now make phone calls via Hangouts directly from the Google Voice website, no Google+ necessary. As Mountain View's Alex Wiesen notes on G+, the new feature is listed as an option in the "phone to call with" drop-down box. It seems a bit minor, sure, especially when you consider that Hangouts is already how you make phone calls from within Gmail -- but any updates for the oft-neglected service are welcome, right?
Google Chrome gets one-click video chats, no download required
It used you be that if you wanted to round up some chums on a Google+ video hangout in Chrome to figure out how Sherlock really faked his death, you all had to download and install a plugin first. 'Twas hardly a dealbreaker for most, but the process was just annoying enough to keep some people from bothering. Thankfully, those days will soon be over -- Google has just confirmed that you'll no longer need to install anything to initiate a video chat in Chrome. Alas, not all of you will be able to join the streamlined fun immediately though: those of you using Dev Channel and Canary builds of Chrome can claim the feature for yourselves now, but the rest of us will have to wait a few weeks for the change to hit our more stable builds.
Google search results now let you call stores from your PC
While it's easy to call a store if you find it through a Google search on your phone, it's a bit more of a hassle on your computer -- you frequently have to copy the number into your voice app of choice. However, Google is removing even that minor inconvenience. The company's search results now include a Hangouts calling option that gets you in touch with any location right through your desktop web browser; if you see a big set of digits, one click will start the conversation. As with Google's other internet calling services, you can reach out to any American or Canadian number for free. This isn't the biggest time-saver in the world, to be sure, but you may appreciate it the next time you're phoning in a reservation at your favorite eatery.
Hangouts' web chat now lets you sketch messages
Ever threatened to draw someone a picture because they didn't understand you in an online chat? It's now easy to act on that threat. Google has started rolling out an update to Hangouts' web interface that lets you sketch your ideas. If you have access, hovering over the camera icon will reveal a pencil button that launches the new tool. While it's extremely simple, the mini-app should be enough to annotate a picture or whip up a quick diagram. We've reached out to Google for more details regarding its new doodler, including the possibility of a mobile launch; we'll let you know if there's more to add. For now, you'll just have to keep checking Hangouts' web client to see if you can craft your own visual aids.
Google's new Outlook plugin lets you start video Hangouts with coworkers
If you spend your work day in front of a PC, there's a good chance that you still use Outlook for much of your email and scheduling. However, Google apps also play an important role these days -- what if you want to start a Hangouts video chat with your office buddies? As of today, it's easy. Google has released a Hangouts plugin for Outlook on Windows that lets you start or schedule video calls with fellow Outlook users inside your company. Your employer will normally have to use Google Apps for Business for this to fly, although the plugin also lets firms with Chromeboxes start chats with others that haven't hopped on the Google Apps bandwagon. It's a small piece of software, but it could make a big difference if you regularly have to juggle Google and Microsoft tools while you're on the clock.
Google's Take Your Classroom to Work Day takes kids on virtual field trips
Take Your Child to Work Day gives a sense of what parents' jobs are like, but Google knows that kids can't always afford go to the office. Accordingly, the company is bringing the office to the kids through its first-ever Take Your Classroom to Work Day. The April 24th initiative uses Hangouts video chats to show workplaces that even the luckiest students might never see in person, such as the Chicago Bulls' locker room and the Stan Winston School of Special Effects. The first internet-based field trips are already underway, but you can check out Google's schedule for upcoming excursions. Suffice it to say that we're a little jealous -- where were these educational adventures when we were in school?
Google Hangouts merges conversations and texts messages from the same sender
Since Google tacked on SMS messages to its Hangouts app, it has been tweaking the experience to keep convos on the up and up, and this week it's making a major change. In version 2.1 of the software, text messages and Hangout conversations from the same contact are neatly merged into a single thread, allowing you to send notes via either method. In order to keep track of things, the two sources are color-coded, and you can separate them any time you'd like. There's also a split in the contacts list for quick searching: folks you chat with on Hangouts and phone contacts that you keep to SMS. For easy access, there's a new home screen widget and improved quality for video calls. If your Android device hasn't alerted you to the update yet, head over to that second source link to snatch it up.
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.
Coachella is streaming live on YouTube, and you might even chat with the bands
It's that time of year once again: Google and T-Mobile are streaming the Coachella festival live on YouTube. Tune in between April 11th and April 13th and you'll see big-name musicians play without making a pilgrimage to Indio. Much of the experience will be familiar if you've watched before. However, there is a social twist to this year's proceedings -- if you're in a Hangouts video chat at the right moment, you'll have a chance to speak with artists like Chvrches and Zedd while they're backstage. Yes, you may have a better time than fans who paid a premium to be there in person. We wouldn't count on getting that VIP treatment, but it's undoubtedly an added incentive to start streaming. [Image credit: Viktor Rosenfeld, Flickr]
Google Hangouts outage brings chatting to a halt (update: service restored)
If you've been having trouble with Google Hangouts today, you're not alone. The chat service has been experiencing issues, and the folks in Mountain View have confirmed the "service disruption." According to the Apps Status Dashboard, Google Talk and Sheets (spreadsheets) are having down time of their own, but there's no confirmation on the latter two applications. We're keeping an eye on things, and we'll be sure to update when more details become available.
Google Hangouts 2.0 for iOS redesigned with iPad tweaks, 10-second video messages
Google Hangouts just jumped a full version number on Apple hardware -- the first major update since it added voice calls late last year -- and 2.0 has more than just a new iOS 7-ready look. The new app is "fully optimized" for iPads, with a "two-pane" conversation view. On all devices, it's ready for animated stickers -- look out Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger -- 10-second video messages for when your friends are offline, and can send a map of your current location with a few button presses. It's rolling out on the App Store now, assuming you prefer the matchup of Google services and Apple devices.
LINE takes on Skype and Hangouts with new, cheap, Call service
It's all about stickers, really. LINE means stickers, but as the company keeps telling us, its apps do so much more than that -- and even more starting next month. The Japanese messaging service is launching a new data-based call service that attempts to undercut the voice-call pricing on typical land-lines and mobile carriers. With a pay-as-you-go and 30-day plan both outlined at the company's showcase event, it's scheduled to launch this March in Japan, US, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and the Philippines. For its native country, the 30-day plan (priced at one minute for 6.5 yen, roughly 6.4 cents), will offer up to a maximum of 60 minutes maximum, encompassing both mobile and landline calls. A separate call credit plan will cost 14 yen per minute to mobile phones (including overseas) and three yen to landlines. The company is aiming to expand who LINE users can contact within its app service. An interesting feature is that on smartphones, it will appear as if it's simply a normal phone call -- we saw a demonstration of how incoming calls would appear on an iPhone and (as you'll see after the break), it looks identical. To drum up support, Naver plans to offer the service to 1,300,000 businesses and stores across Japan, as well as 100,000 free 100-yen LINE Call samples to existing users too.
Ask TUAW Live at 5 (Eastern) today!
Ask TUAW Live is be happening today at 5:00 PM ET. (Check showtimes in your area.) This week, since a certain co-host is out of the country, Kelly will be holding down the fort and answering your questions, be they big or be they small. We're always taking your questions via the Ask Tuaw feedback form, Twitter, Facebook or Google+. To watch the live feed and participate in the chat, jump over to the TUAW page on Google+. There you will find links to this Google Hangout. Bring your questions, ideas, tips and tricks or recipes for craft cocktails to share with the rest of the TUAW community. NOTE: Due to the way Google handles Hangouts for Pages, you will need to add the TUAW page on Google+ to your circles so we can circle back. Is that what the kids call it these days?
