MSFN Forum: Google Hangouts Go Mobile

As Google continues to develop its social networking service, Google+, the company is betting on easier video conferencing as the way to engage users. On Wednesday, Google introduced several enhancements to Hangouts, the group video chat service in Google+.

In a post on Google+, Vic Gundotra, senior vice president of social, said that digital forms of communication like email just can't match conversing while looking someone in the eyes (never mind the intermediating screen and webcam).

"Our emphasis on face-to-face-face group video communication has led to some amazing experiences," he wrote. "By giving this away for free, we've enabled people around the world to see into each other's eyes and share discussion and laughter in new ways."

To promote such activity on its social network, Google has enabled Google+ users to launch a Hangout--a live video chat--via any Google+ post or to more easily join one that's in progress. Posts to the service, text or images, now include a "Hangout" link to start a Hangout or to connect to an existing one.

Google has also extended the ability to create Hangouts to its Google+ Messenger app for Android and iOS. The Android version will be available in Android Market in a few days, and the iOS version should follow a few days later, depending on how long Apple's approval process takes.

Google's Hangouts on Air service, a version of Hangouts designed for broadcasting to audiences beyond the normal 10 person Hangout limit, took a step toward general availability.

Note: The Android version will be available in Android Market in a few days, and the iOS version should follow a few days later, depending on how long Apple's approval process takes.

Source: InformationWeek