Google has overnight announced an update to their messaging service Hangouts for Android, moving to the big 4.0 version release with a much needed improvements such as speed, as well as a fresh new look and additional features.
The updated and refreshed Material Design Hangouts app will bring with it the following updates:
- Hangouts is sleeker. Now updated with material design, Hangouts has a new look and feel: items respond to your touch in more intuitive ways and transitions between tasks are more fluid.
- Hangouts is simpler. The new Compose button makes it easier for you to start a new group or conversation. Our streamlined contacts list helps you find the right person quickly. And attachments have been revamped and simplified, so sharing—of emoji, GIFs, your location, even multiple photos at once—is a snap.
- Hangouts is faster. Whether you’re sending a quick message or video chatting with family, you don’t want hold-ups. We’ve been obsessively fixing bugs and speeding up message delivery to make Hangouts faster and more reliable. Bonus: less battery consumption.
Google has added in improvements for the Hangouts Dialer, including outbound caller ID – no more ‘Unknown’ when you call your friends. Google has also improved services for Group MMS in Google Voice – a service which we’ll probably never see released outside the US.
Google hasn’t forgotten about Android Wear either. In the updated Hangouts app you can now quickly send messages directly to your friends on Hangouts by simply saying “Ok Google, send a Hangouts message,” into your watch. Finally, Custom status messages are back which allows you to let your friends to know what’s on your mind when your not online or available.
The update is rolling out on a rolling basis now, so you might want to keep an eye out for it through Google Play – though we know you just can’t wait, so go get it.
I’ll give it a go again to see if it’s worthy of replacing Textra for my SMS.
Much better layout. Got rid of the tabbed UI thank God!
none of my conversations are merged with this new update. option is checked in the settings.
Now we can grab a pic from the camera or gallery even if we’ve already started typing. Good to see that available. I’ve had it in Hangouts on my iPod for a while now.
not surprising since Google’s iOS app version always seems to be better
It certainly seems simpler, if at times a little light on features, but perhaps that’s because I’m using an iPod rather than an iPhone
I use Hangouts on iPhone/Air2 (bigger iPod) and no difference to me in terms of functionality. I don’t think you can send SMS on the Hangouts iOS anyway?
Wow, Apple restricts Hangouts from using SMS now? I thought it had that function. It has been about 6 months since I sold my iPhone so I can’t remember what I was using for SMS on it.
I said “I don’t think”. I’ve never tried on my iPhone. I’ve always used the default app
Ah, I see.
Still a UI disaster area, still not put back the tablet interface they killed.
looks horrid on my Sony Tablet. Looks great on my Air2.
smh