Google Hangouts, the combination instant messaging (IM), video, audio, and VoIP calling app for iPhone and iPad, has been updated to version 2.0. That means an iOS 7 make-over, iPad optimization, 10-second audio recordings, and most importantly — animated stickers! (Joking! The most important update is the ability to vanquish the appalling shake-to-send feedback non-feature!)
The original Hangouts on iOS is a mixed blessing. It's amazing for group messages since you can tell who in the group has actually seen your messages. It's also incomparable for video conferencing, easily handling multiple participants at once (and for free). Yet at the same time it feels like a web app in a thin native wrapper. Hangouts 2.0 fixes some of that. It's not perfect yet — some of the interface is directly manipulable, some of it isn't. That it's getting better is a good sign, however.
Google still values iPhone and iPad owners' attention and since communications is the hottest thing in mobile right now — just ask WhatsApp, it's where a lot of developer attention will go as well, big and small.
If you've tried Google Hangouts 2.0 on your iPhone or iPad let me know what you think of the update!
- Free - Download now
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Apple picks up a $12 million fine over claims of iPhone water resistance
Apple is in the dog house in Italy after it picked up a fine over the way it advertises iPhones and their water resistance.
Get the Aviary Twitter app for just $1.99, today only!
You haven't lived until you've used a third-party Twitter app like Aviary. You want to live, don't you?
Apple's Cyber Monday iPhone SE sale essentially makes the price $290
The iPhone SE is already an incredible price, even without any discounts, but with Apple's Black Friday sale, you can get one for a song.
Your Mac holds your digital life, so make sure to back it up!
One of the most important things you should be doing with your Mac is backing up all of its data. Here are some of our favorite solutions for backing up your most important files, should anything ever happen.