In a further step towards integration of services, Google announced that it will replace the Gmail video chat with Google+ hangouts. Among the innovations that this implies is that you can chat with up to 9 users simultaneously.
“Unlike the old video chat, which was based on peer-to-peer technology, Hangouts utilize the power of Google’s network to deliver higher reliability and enhanced quality,” reads the explanatory blog post written by the Gmail team.
Hangouts also allow users to collaborate on Google docs and screen sharing, as well as “other entertaining” that can be used. The option to use Hangouts will begin appearing gradually in the mail by the chat side, so you have to have some patience if it does not yet appear in your account.
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You’ll be able to chat with all the same people you did before — and, in fact, with Hangouts you’ll now be able to reach them not only when they are using Gmail, but also if they are on Google+ in the browser or on their Android or iOS devices.
Google Hangouts is clearly a superior technology. Gmail video chat used to be sometimes laggy and in several occasions it just quit. So this is clearly a good move in terms of Quality of the Service by Google. It can also be an alternative to startups and other small companies that can see this as as free alternative to more expensive solutions like Cisco Telepresence.
And wait! there is more fun!
You also have the ability to add moustaches, beards, halos and other personal decorations which will follow you throughout the chat.
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Now you and a few close friends can play poker and pop culture trivia, add mustaches and glasses to one another, collaboratively doodle and share presentations on the service.
Still not convinced to use Hangouts with email contacts? Maybe the following videos will persuade you.
Are excited to see how Hangouts can improve your Gmail experience? Share your opinion in the comments.
Source: Gmail Blog
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