Hangouts, Google’s New Unified Messaging Service For Web, Android, and iOS Devices

At today’s Google I/O developer’s conference keynote, the company unveiled a revamped Hangouts app. After admitting that “even Google’s own services have been fragmented and confused at times,” Google announced a new standalone Hangouts app that unifies all of Google’s myriad chat services. Hangouts gives users a list of conversations, not contacts, and allows users to share messages, photos, and even start free video chats with individuals or groups of family and friends. The app will sync conversations across devices, and will save a long chat history if users so choose. The new Hangouts app is available starting today on Google Chrome and for Android and iOS devices. The Verge has more information on how the new Hangouts app works.