Google Hangouts

Popular programs in Instant Messaging

What is Google Hangouts

Hangouts for Google Chrome is a special extension released by Google that will allow people to use Hangouts without actually using Google+ or Gmail. Instead, any chat notifications will take place in a notification bar and windows that

Pros of Downloading Hangouts for Google Chrome:

• Unobtrusive: Because all of the notifications for Google Hangouts, when Google+ and Gmail are not being used, appear in the notifications bar, they are not considered to be very obtrusive. This allows people to be in constant contact with their friends through this particular medium without having to deal with large notifications that could distract the user.
• Persistent Windows Can Be Minimized: Another advantage is that persistent windows are able to be minimized. This means that people can carry on conversations with one another and do work at the same time. When a person needs to talk to the people with whom he or she is in a conversation, he or she will be able to open the window so it can easily be seen. When there is a lull in the conversation, the window can be minimized so that other pages can be looked at without having to keep an open tab.
• Lots of Different Features: Hangouts have a number of different features that will allow a person to communicate easily with his or her friends. There is the option to share photographs, which makes it easy for one person to gradually accumulate all of the necessary pictures of an event, rather than tracking them all down individually. There is also a video call function on which up to 10 people can be connected. This makes it easy for people who are not close to one another to collaborate on group projects and stay in close communication. The written chat feature is standard, although it supports emoji and other chat extras, including a function that lets people see how far a person has read in a chat message. This communication function will sync across devices, allowing people to chat with their friends on Google Hangouts if they are using a mobile device or a computer.

Cons of Downloading Hangouts for Google Chrome:

• Need to Use Google Chrome: In order for this extension to work, Google Chrome needs to be used. This is important, because it limits the number of different web browsers that a person is able to use.
• Chat Windows Cover Desktop: The chat windows will cover the desktop, which can make it difficult for a person to easily access different icons and decreased productivity levels. Despite this, the Google Chrome extension for Hangouts is much more convenient than Hangouts in its original form because it doesn't require a separate tab to be open.
• Needs to Install Through the Website: In order to install this extension, a person needs to go to the Google Webstore. It cannot be purchased off of third-party websites. This can be inconvenient for many people and result in problems for certain browsers.