Google’s improved Hangouts 4.0 is out, delivers faster messaging to rival Apple’s iMessage

On the surface, the new Google Hangouts 4.0 for Android looks sleeker, finer and more streamlined. But beyond the surface, Hangouts users can expect a lot more changes, albeit for better communication and connection with Hangouts contacts.

Google revealed some of the ways by which Hangouts has changed, starting with a new updated material design. Google Hangouts 4.0 has new aesthetics, making the items respond to user’s touch in more intuitive ways. Executing tasks and even switching between them has become more seamless.

One such case is with composing messages. Gone are the days when one has to ensure that all attachments have already been included, Tech Radar reported. If before, users did not have the option of attaching a file in the middle of composing a message, the Google Hangouts 4.0 has now simplified the way one shares and sends messages. At the sametime, the contacts list has now been streamlined, so finding the contact within the app and starting a conversation or a new group has become easier.

As far as bugs are concerned, Google has been adamant about finding and fixing them for a much faster Hangouts. With bugs squashed, the company also ensures that using Hangouts cuts down on battery consumption.

Google Hangouts has also enabled integration with other apps and devices, such as Android Wear. The updated version now has Android Wear support, so starting a message just by saying the command “Ok Google, send a Hangouts message” is now possible via the smartwatch.

Users can also use Hangouts Dialer to make voice-over-IP calls to phone numbers. While doing that, users will also have support for Outbound caller ID, which means they will no more get calls from number, which reads “Unknown”. Hangouts Dialer is more affordable but phone calls made from Hangout app are initiated from the users’ Google Voice number, which could be confusing for the receiver.

Hangouts version 4.0 was launched for iOS devices a month ago. The new Hangouts version 4.0 was rolled out for Android users last Aug. 10 and is currently available at the Google Play Store.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au or let us know what you think below.