What Google Hangouts is and How to Talk Today

What is Google Hangouts?

Google Hangouts is an all-in-one online communication tool, available on multiple platforms. It allows users to find contacts and send messages (or pictures or videos), and hold video chats. It also allows users to hold phone calls with standard phones, though this feature may have an added charge.

How does Google Hangouts work?

Google Hangouts works with your Google account, allowing you to communicate with your Google contacts through text messages, video chats and voice calls. A great thing about Google Hangouts is if you’re on the go, you can start a Hangouts session on your computer, and seamlessly continue it on your mobile device.

5 key features of Google Hangouts

1. Access Google Hangouts on a variety of devices.

There are lots of different platforms on which you can use Google Hangouts! You can install it as an app on your smart phone or tablet computer, or add it as an extension to your favorite Internet browser. You can also use a desktop client for it (if you have the Google Chrome web browser), or use the version that comes built-in to every Gmail account!

2. Is free to use; you just need a Google account.

Google Hangouts is free to download and install on device you want to use it with. Plus, you can use it with a Google account, so if you already use a service like Gmail or Google Drive, you’re already all set to use Google Hangouts!

3. Share text messages, pictures, and more with your Google contacts.

Chatting with your contacts is simple enough, but why not spice things up? Add some emoticons, or take a photo of yourself or draw a picture and share that as a message. You can even sometimes share a video that you found on YouTube, or your current location from your device’s GPS signal!

4. Have some face time with your Google contacts with live video chat.

If you have a special camera attached to (or built into) your computer or mobile device, you can also have a face-to-face conversation with one or more of your Google Hangouts contacts via a live video feed. You can invite other people to the discussion (contacts or otherwise), or share what your computer screen looks like with everyone else in the chat!

5. Almost anyone is a phone call away through Google Hangouts.

You can also use Google Hangouts to make phone calls to almost anyone in the world, even if they aren’t one of your Google contacts! Most calls to numbers in the United States and Canada are free, and overseas calls have very affordable per-minute rates.

The history of Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts was first introduced by Google back in 2013, as a means of replacing Google Talk and Google+ Messenger. Since Google combined its various messaging and calling interfaces into one, Google Hangouts has been able to compete with other popular messaging apps, like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

How much does it cost?

Google Hangouts is free to sign up for and use. All you need is a Google account, and you’re all set! You can send text messages, photos, and make voice or video calls – all for free. If you’d like to use Google Hangouts on your mobile device or tablet, you can download the Hangouts app for free as well.

If you want to learn more about the costs associated with using the service, check out our article on the cost of Google Hangouts here.

Is Google Hangouts safe?

Google Hangouts is generally safe to use. Messages sent and calls made through Google Hangouts are encrypted, so your privacy remains intact. For your own safety, be sure to only answer messages and call requests from people you know and trust. Other than that, you should be all good! To learn more about the safety of Google Hangouts, read our article here.

Pros and Cons of Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts is great because it’s really an all-in-one communication tool – it allows users to send each other text messages and photos, and make video or voice calls. It’s also easily accessible on a variety of devices, so you can use it at home or on-the-go! If you have an account for Gmail, YouTube, or one of Google’s other services, you’re already all set to use Google Hangouts. Best of all, the service is completely free.

On the negative side, although it’s great that it can be used on lots of different devices, it’s a little inconsistent in terms of how it functions on different devices, which can be a bit of a pain. Also, since Google Hangouts requires you to have/create a Google account, you’ll end up getting tied into using Google’s other services as well – this isn’t really a con if you enjoy using Google’s services anyway, but if you only want to use Hangouts it could be a little annoying.

Alternatives to Google Hangouts

There are tons of online communication tools available, so if Google Hangouts isn’t what you’re looking for, don’t worry. Another option you might want to consider is Skype, which is owned and run by Microsoft. Other great alternatives include WeChat and Viber. You can learn about these alternatives and a few more if you check out our article on the best alternatives to Google Hangouts.

If you’re already a big fan of Google’s products, then Google Hangouts is a natural inclusion for your lineup of Google-powered productivity tools. In the rest of our Google Hangouts course, we’ll show you how to download and install the app, how to use each of its basic functions, and whatever else you’ll need to become a Hangouts instant pro!