Google recently released its much-
anticipated Hangouts 2.0 update
for Android. You can download the
new version now directly
from Google Play .
The new version includes SMS
support and MMS support on
Android 4.0 and up, animated GIFs,
and one-tap location sharing. The
last option is as simple as tapping
the new pin icon in the bottom
right-hand corner of the app;
Hangouts will then pull in your
immediate position and post it
within the conversation stream as a
Google Maps thumbnail.
SMS/MMS support means you can
use Hangouts as your default app
both for traditional texting and
picture messaging in addition to
Web-based instant messaging. This
effectively replaces the stock SMS
app, and in fact on KitKat, you
have the option to set a default
SMS app. In addition, animated
GIFs now also play inline.
Here’s the full Google Hangouts 2.0
for Android changelog:
SMS & MMS (Android 4.0+):
Send/receive text messages
with Hangouts! You can import
your existing messages, quickly
switch between SMS and
Hangouts, and start group MMS
conversations.
Animated GIFs: send animated
GIFs, cute kittens and all.
Location: share a location in
your conversations.
Device, in-call, mood status:
share what device you’re on,
whether you’re on a call, or
your current mood.
Now the wait begins to see how the
Hangouts app for iOS will be
updated. It will be difficult for
Google to offer all the features to
iPhone users given Apple’s strict
requirements for its platform, but
the company will certainly try to
feature as much as it can get away
with.
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