Tag Archives: Google Hangouts

Custom status messages for Google Hangouts

People using Google Hangouts on the web can now add custom status messages and see the status messages of others in the Contacts view. Status messages can be added via the settings menu: 
status_work2.png
By default, custom status messages will be displayed outside of the domain, though admins have the option to restrict them to be displayed within the domain only via Admin console at Google Apps > Talk/Hangouts > Sharing Settings.  

Note: Hangouts status messages are only visible to others using Hangouts. They are not shared to people using Google Talk. Similarly, status messages set in Google Talk will not be shared to Hangouts.

This feature is coming soon for the Hangouts Android and iOS apps.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center
Google for Work G+ post

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Admin control of link sharing for Hangouts video calls

Last month, we launched the ability for Google Apps customers to share links to Hangouts video calls so that external guests may request to join if not explicitly invited. This helps guests avoid errors when joining with alternate Google accounts.

We’re now giving admins greater control over this feature with an option in the Admin console to start all video calls in a state where external participants may request access to join. This feature is especially useful for customers who do not rely on Google Calendar to schedule meetings or those using the Microsoft Outlook Hangouts plugin.

To adjust the setting, click on Google Apps -> Talk/Hangouts -> General Settings:


Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Better collaboration in Hangouts video calls

To make it easier to collaborate during Hangouts video calls, we’ve enabled the sharing of links to any Drive file directly from the chat window. Shared links will show a preview of the file right in the chat message, even when other participants don’t have their chat window open. Clicking on the link will open the file in a different browser tab so you can conveniently work on it in full view.

To share a link from Drive during a Hangouts video call, click on the Chat icon and then click the Google Drive picker icon from within the chat window.

Chat window.png

Note: this feature will replace the Google Drive Hangouts app, which will no longer be available as of December 15th, 2014.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Google for Work G+ Post
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Notification re: Google Talk app for Windows replacement

Late last year, we announced that the Google Talk app for Windows was being retired. Soon, people using the Google Talk client for Windows will start seeing the following notification within the application:

Google Talk app for Windows is no longer supported. It is being replaced by the new Hangouts Chrome app. Install the Hangouts app from http://goo.gl/yglfk6

The Google Talk app for Windows will continue to work for approximately two months before being turned off completely. We will post a follow up notification within the application prior to the shut down.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Download the Hangouts Chrome app

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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New Hangouts Chrome app

A new Hangouts Chrome app was launched today with an updated UI. The app is available for Windows and Chrome OS platforms and brings the best of Hangouts to your desktop.

Improvements include:

  • Streamlined design that keeps your chats accessible without getting in the way of everything else. Your contact list and all your chats are condensed into one easy to toggle window.
  • Works outside of your browser so your chats are always available, not tucked away inside a window. You’ll get all your messages as long as you have the app running, and your chats will sync across Hangouts on all your devices.
  • Includes all the video and voice features you’re used to in Hangouts. We recently announced you can make phone calls to any number in the world (via Hangouts dialer) and now you can do this right from your desktop.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Download the Hangouts Chrome app

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Easier guest access to Hangouts video calls

This launch allows Google Apps customers to share links to Hangouts video calls so that external guests may request to join if not explicitly invited. This will also help your guests avoid errors when joining with alternate Google accounts.

Features of the launch include:

  1. People in the same domain as the Hangout can make the video call externally accessible with the link.

  1. Video calls that are shared with the link require someone in the Hangout Apps domain to accept those requesting access.

Primary use-case: A person using Hangouts for Work invites another contact to a Hangout via calendar, but the contact connects through their browser, already logged in with their personal account.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
G+ Post


Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Video call links in Calendar events for Google Apps for Government

With this launch, Google Calendar will automatically add video call links to new Calendar events for all Google Apps for Government domains. This is a follow up to the August launch where this feature was launched for all other Apps customers.

As announced earlier this year, administrators can disable this functionality for specific organizational units.

Release track:
Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Improved presenting in Hangouts video calls: Present to everyone

Any participant in a video call can now select a participant to be shown to all other participants’ views. This feature overrides the automatic speaker-driven switching for everyone in the call. For example, if a participant is sharing a desktop view or showing something live, anyone can make that the default view for all, so there is no visual disruption to the meeting.

Anyone presenting in the same room using g.co/present/ will automatically join in “Present to everyone” mode if there are no other presenters.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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Multi-way video calls for Hangouts on Android and iOS without a G+ profile

As announced in July, with today’s Hangouts update, people using the Hangouts apps on Android and iOS will now be able participate in multi-way video calls without a Google+ profile.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

For more information:
Help Center

Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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New available contacts tab for Hangouts in Gmail

With this launch, we are introducing a new tab to Hangouts in Gmail that shows a list of a person’s contacts sorted by availability, making it easier to see which contacts are currently online.

Available contacts (those with the green circle) will show in an alpha-ordered list first, followed by a second alpha-ordered list of unavailable contacts. Contacts can be hidden or pinned to the top of the contacts list regardless of their availability.

To access the new contacts tab, click on the person icon on the bottom of the Hangouts section.

Release track:
Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks

For more information:
Help Center


Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

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