Talk:Google Hangouts

Alternatives should be mentioned

Someone removed the paragraph about free software alternatives, but something similar should be in the article. Something about how Hangouts compares to the things it's aiming to compete against, such as free software XMPP clients like Jitsi and Ekiga (full list), which can encrypt conversations and don't have ads, and proprietary video chat things like Skype and Facebook video chat. Gronky (talk) 22:36, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

I don't quite understand why exactly these two specific clients should be mentioned. Also, I'm not sure one can call these "alternatives". "Google+ Hangouts" includes both a client and a server platform, whereas the mentioned open source clients are only clients and still require a server to work with. I don't think it's okay that people repeatedly remove and readd the "Open Source Alternatives" paragraph without participating in this discussion. --pcworld (talk) 22:43, 8 June 2013 (UTC)

I don't know why those two got chosen. Is there a way to find which are the most used XMPP clients? I think Ekiga is indeed widely used. I know nothing about Jitsi.

Hangouts is client plus server, and the free software alternatives are client (ex: Ekiga, Jitsi) plus server (loads of XMPP servers). The only difference is that Hangouts' client and server are tied to each other. That's just a detail. It's still true that Hangouts is today trying to compete with Skype, with Facebook video chat, and the thing which Google used to contribute to, namely with people using free software clients and whatever XMPP server. Gronky (talk) 23:01, 8 June 2013 (UTC)

PRISM Claims

This article makes some very strong claims with only a single source (regarding PRISM and the NSA). The user who made the edits has a history of other changes which have been reverted. I'm flagging the article as Category:Articles with unsourced statements. --Joetyson (talk) 04:33, 13 June 2013 (UTC)

I removed this claim as it also seems out of place. It is only tangentially related to the topic of the article and belongs in a separate abut the NSA snooping controversy.Wkharrisjr (talk) 12:39, 13 June 2013 (UTC)

Definitely not out of place. If it's poorly sourced, then it should be removed. I haven't read the source, but it's by The Guardian, which is a major broadsheet with a good reputation. If Google is facilitating snooping, actively or by negligence, or if a switch from other communication mediums to Hangouts is causing or will cause more people to be snooped on then this is not merely tangential and should be mentioned in the article.

The Guardian article does not mention Google+ Hangouts specifically, but only Google (and other) social media in general. Since the rest of the article is a more "nuts and bolts" discussion of Hangouts, it felt out of place, especially in the lede. It would be better placed in a seprate article about the PRISM/NSA controversy with a wikilinkg to Google+ Hangouts for those seeking more background on the web site itself. At the least, mention of the article should be moved from the lede to a separate subsection in the article.Wkharrisjr (talk) 19:36, 14 June 2013 (UTC)

I can't look into this now, but these two comments ("only one source" and "out of place") do not justify removing what is claimed. (If the claim is false, or if the reference doesn't really back up the claim, that's a different matter.) I'll take a look into it when I'm less busy. Or someone else can. Here's the removed text. Gronky (talk)

Criticism Changes

I added some details for XMPP in the criticism section of the article. I shall be back to check if the news is upto date, as zednet is giving some conflicting reports about them moving away from XMPP. I am still not sure if Jabber is fully supported or not. Skakria (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 02:53, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

Since SMS function is integrated in the new version of Google Hangouts, I updated both the feature and criticism sections. Google Hangouts is much like iMessage now. However if Google wants to integrate everything like Google Voice, there's still a long way to go. I expect Google can find its way to cooperate with carriers to solve the issue of integration between online message and SMS. Anyway, Hangouts is on the right track. Foreverendless (talk) 03:26, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

Advertising language

This is advertising language.

In contrast, the GVJackApp for magicJack and the GVMate Phone Adapter both of which are signalling independent will not be adversely affected and will continue to work for users as normal using the Google+ Hangouts platform after support for XMPP has been terminated.

The content itself may be worthwhile, but right now it sounds just like a sales pitch. :-( --Orcrist (talk) 09:55, 6 February 2014 (UTC)

Agreed. Just removed. I think if a third-party add-on or plugin section is created, then it should be re-inserted, but it's not a core part of the products. ManosFate (talk) 18:10, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

XMPP "discontinued"?

"Google Hangouts" still uses XMPP. I cannot cite any credible source, however, as of April 2015, you can still log into the service via an XMPP client and I do this on a regular basis. 79.245.181.24 (talk) 16:42, 1 April 2015 (UTC)

Yes, the following section appears to be incorrect: "However, because it uses a proprietary protocol[2] instead of the XMPP open standard protocol used by Google Talk, most third-party applications which had access to Google Talk do not have access to Google+ Hangouts." - Hangouts still uses XMPP and you can still connect to Hangouts with an XMPP client. This is "original research" though, unless we find a credible (and recent) source. 79.209.251.217 (talk) 10:49, 15 November 2016 (UTC)

Proposed merge with Google Hangouts Meet

It will be clearer to have one article. DGG ( talk ) 02:53, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

• Support. (I created the Google Hangouts Meet article.) Both Chat and Meet can have their own sections with infoboxes within the Google Hangouts article. Separate articles might be appropriate in time but not as of now. Michipedian (talk) 21:33, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

Proposed merge with Google Hangouts Chat

it will beclearer tohave one article, not 3. DGG ( talk ) 02:54, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

• Support. (I created the Google Hangouts Chat article.) Both Chat and Meet can have their own sections with infoboxes within the Google Hangouts article. Separate articles might be appropriate in time but not as of now. Michipedian (talk) 21:35, 11 September 2019 (UTC)

Google+ Hangouts vs. Google Hangouts

Is Google+ Hangouts the original version of Google Hangouts, or is Google+ Hangouts a defunct product that was replaced by Google Hangouts? Michipedian (talk) 17:16, 17 September 2019 (UTC)

Original? I think original

Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:09, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Is Hangouts still "the future" of Google Voice?

In the opening paragraph of the Hangouts page, it says:

"Google has also begun integrating features of Google Voice, its IP telephony product, into Hangouts, stating that Hangouts is designed to be "the future" of Voice."

This might have been true in 2013 https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/9/4508622/google-voice-calling-hangouts but hasn't Google's strategy changed?

For example, Google recommends Google Voice app, not Hangouts, for the best call quality in 2020.

https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/6023920?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rocketwidget (talk • contribs) 10:39, 9 April 2020 (UTC)

It seems that on the link you provided, Google no longer claims that Google Voice has the best call quality. It only claims that Google Voice provides the "best call experience" - "For the best call experience, we recommend you get calls using the Google Voice mobile app or at voice.google.com." Velocitay (talk) 06:38, 10 April 2020 (UTC)

Split Google Meet section back out to its own article?

Now that Google Meet no longer shares the Hangouts branding, and with its increasing popularity, it may be more appropriate now for it to have its own article again. Thoughts? auscompgeek (talk) 04:49, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

No, But Rather New images and New heading section or title including:

• New logo
• New UI
• New Secrion Of Heading Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:05, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

And more Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:06, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Oh, Just cut the top Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:07, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Here’s what to delete: Google Hangouts is a communication software developed by Google. Originally a feature of Google+, Hangouts became a stand-alone product in 2013, when Google also began integrating features from Google+ Messenger and Google Talk into Hangouts. In 2017, Google began developing Hangouts into a product aimed at enterprise communication. Hangouts is now part of the G Suite line of products and consists of two primary products: Google Meet and Google Chat.[7] Google has also begun integrating features of Google Voice, its IP telephony product, into Hangouts, stating that Hangouts is designed to be "the future" of Voice. Google will shut down the classic G Suite version of Hangouts in June 2020 (being replaced by Meet and Chat), but will continue to support the consumer version of classic Hangouts.[8]

Google Hangouts Logo for Google Hangouts Google Hangouts logo Screenshot Screenshot showing Google Hangouts Google Hangouts running on Android Lollipop Developer(s) Google LLC Initial release May 15, 2013; 6 years ago Stable release(s) [±] Android 31.0.246194187 / May 2, 2019; 11 months ago[1] Android (Dialer) 0.1.100944346 / September 1, 2015; 4 years ago[2] Android (Meet) 33.0.268569565 / September 27, 2019; 6 months ago[3] Android (Chat) 2019.09.19.271424619_prod / October 10, 2019; 6 months ago[4] Android Wear 17.0.145656208 / February 1, 2017; 3 years ago[5] iOS 26.0.1 / September 6, 2019; 7 months ago[6] Platform Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Google Chrome or any browser compatible with Google Chrome Extensions, Web platform Type Communication software License Freeware Website hangouts.google.com Usage Supported Platform(s) Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Google Chrome or any browser compatible with Google Chrome Extensions, Web platform Contents History Edit

Prior to the launch of Hangouts, Google had maintained several similar, but technologically separate messaging services and platforms across its suite of products. These have included the enterprise-oriented Google Talk (based on XMPP), Google+Messenger, and the Hangouts feature of Google+, which provided chat, voice, videoconferencing features. However, its increasingly fragmented and non-unified suite of messaging offerings was also facing growing competition from services such as Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and WhatsApp. A decision was made to scrap the existing Google Talk system and code a new messaging product through a collaboration with multiple development teams.[9]

Following reports that the new service would be known as "Babel", the service officially launched as Hangouts during the Google I/O conference on May 15, 2013.[9][10]

On February 16, 2015, Google announced it would be discontinuing Google Talk and instructed users to migrate to the Hangouts app on the Chrome browser platform.[11]

In January 2016, Google discouraged using Hangouts for SMS, recommending to instead use Google's "Messenger" SMS app.[12]

In May 2016, at Google I/O 2016, Google announced two new apps: Google Allo, a messaging app with AI capabilities (AI-powered bots[13] and selfie features[14]) and Google Duo, a video calling app. Google's Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones released later that year were the first Google devices shipped with Duo and Allo preinstalled instead of Hangouts.[15] Google has since confirmed that the new apps will not replace Hangouts; Hangouts will remain a separate product.[16][17] In December 2018 Google announced Allo would be discontinued in March 2019 with some of its features migrated into Google Messages.[18]

On August 15, 2016, Google announced that Hangouts on Air will be discontinued on September 12, 2016, and would be folded into YouTube Live, but later on September 11, 2016, Google said the Hangouts on Air shutdown date will be moved up from "September 12, 2016" to "August 1, 2019", to free all some livestreams on YouTube. Users will have to switch to other livestream programs, like OBS System and Streamyard for live-streaming events.

On January 6, 2017, Google announced that the Google Hangouts API would shut down on April 25, 2017.[19]

On March 9, 2017, Google announced that Hangouts would be targeted at business users with the Hangouts brand divided into two products: Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat. Meet would focus on video conferences and Hangouts Chat would be focused on instant messaging with additional features such as bot assistant and threaded messaging.[20] The features would be targeted at business customers while consumer versions would use a freemium model.[21] Google stated in December 2018 that "classic" Hangouts would be disabled by October 2019.[22]

In November 2018, the desktop Chrome app version of Hangouts started displaying these banner messages at the top of its window: "The Hangouts Chrome app will be replaced by the Hangouts Chrome extension soon." This has generated many negative user reviews on the Chrome Web Store pages for both the Hangouts extension and the app.

In August 2019, Google announced that the G-Suite version of Hangouts will be replaced by "Meet" and "Chat".[23]

Features Edit

A video conference meeting facilitated by Google Hangouts Hangouts allows conversations between two or more users. The service can be accessed online through the Gmail or Google+ websites, or through mobile apps available for Android and iOS (which were distributed as a successor to their existing Google Talk apps). However, because it uses a proprietary protocol[9] instead of the XMPP open standard protocol used by Google Talk, most third-party applications which had access to Google Talk do not have access to Google+ Hangouts.

Chat histories are saved online, allowing them to be synced between devices. A "watermark" of a user's avatar is used as a marker to indicate how far they have read into the conversation. Photos can be shared during conversations, which are automatically uploaded into a private Google+ album. Users can also now use color emoji symbols in their messages.[24][25]

As with the previous Google+ Hangouts, users can also perform a group video chat with up to 10 users at a time.[26] In 2016 Google upgraded Hangouts to 25 concurrent users in HD video for Work/Education. The new Google Hangouts app on iOS integrates a Google Voice number to some extent, but on Android the SMS support in Hangouts doesn't fully integrate with Google Voice for calls or texts. Integration was first expected by 2014, but was deprecated in January 2016. The reason for the delay appears tied to Google switching away from the XMPP protocol it used, as mentioned above.[27]

For Google Chrome, users do not need to install a plugin. However, for Internet Explorer 11, the user must install the "Google Talk Plugin" to be able to use the video features.

In Android 4.4, Hangouts is integrated with text messages sending and receiving functions, which is the default SMS app on the Nexus 5. For other Android phones, users can choose to open the SMS function when they download the new version of Hangouts via Google Play. SMS conversations are shown in a drawer on the left side. The update also adds GIF support and a new location-sharing button, which allows the user to send their GPS location to their contacts.[28]

Hangouts includes the ability to make free voice calls to other Hangouts users,[29] and charges users (via pre-registered credit) to call landline and mobile phones internationally except for calls to the United States and Canada which are free of charge.[30] Currently, Android users must have both the Google Hangouts[29] and Hangouts Dialer[31] apps installed if they wish to call landline or mobile telephone numbers via the public switched telephone network. Users will have to utilize YouTube Live for live-streaming events.[32]

Google Hangouts includes several Easter eggs.

Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:08, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

The transcript Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:08, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Not new logo, not new ui images and update heading section Abdullah Al Manjur (talk) 17:11, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Moving Chat to a Stand-Alone Article

Since the Meet section was moved into a separate article, it makes sense to move the Chat section as well. The writing has been on the wall for Hangouts for sometime, and now that Meet is accessible to the general public, both Chat and Meet articles should be allowed to grow independently of Hangouts.SBCornelius (talk) 04:13, 5 May 2020 (UTC)

The Chat section was deleted as a stand-alone article. If anyone else would like to weigh in on this I'd welcome the feedback. I know the text is thin, but I believe making this section its own article will allow it to grow. But it no longer makes much sense to have it as a section of Hangouts. Thoughts?SBCornelius (talk) 12:19, 5 May 2020 (UTC)

Inayah

inayah Use the edit icon to pin, add or delete clips. 2603:7081:12F0:A2A0:E034:3AB1:DDF:A990 (talk) 17:54, 8 April 2024 (UTC)