Tag Archives: hangout

Google is killing its Notifications Widget

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As the death knell sounds for Google+, so too comes the end for the Google's Notification Widget. Introduced in 2011 alongside Google+, the bell icon in the top-right corner of every Google page was designed to alert users to activity on the social n...

Google Voice command may take frustration out of text messages

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Google Voice is great for a number of things, in particular differentiating between the contacts worthy of your regular number and those you aren't quite there with yet. But as has become apparent recently, it's not great at sending text messages, es...

Google invites users to share their expertise over video Helpouts

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Google invites users to share their expertise over video Helpouts

Word broke in late July that Google might launch Helpouts -- a Hangout-based video platform where folks could charge for lending assistance over video -- in about a month's time. Like clockwork, Mountain View's officially announced the platform, but it isn't a free-for-all just yet. Page and Co. are inviting people with expertise in different topics to offer their services when the solution opens for business. The search giant has published a form allowing self-proclaimed experts to toss their hat in the ring for an invite, and lists categories including Arts and Music, Computers and Electronics, Cooking, Education, Fashion and Beauty, Fitness and Nutrition, Health and Counseling along with Home and Garden. Fittingly, Google's own help documents for Helpouts have gone live as well, and they give us a few more details.

First, users will have to submit a listing for their services, which Google will review just before hanging out with them over video to get acquainted and ensure their live feed is in tip-top shape. If you're a medical professional, you can offer your expert opinion to the masses as well, but Mountain View will confirm you've got the proper certificates and licenses in order. Once that's done, interested customers will be able to check a pro's availability and schedule appointments. Folks can offer their skills for free or charge for sessions, but both parties must use Google Wallet for the transaction, and Google will apply a 20 percent fee (yes, even with credit card payments). A launch date for Helpouts is MIA, but you can sign up to be notified and provide a helping hand at the source.

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Source: Google (1), (2)

Google reportedly testing Helpouts: professional services through Hangouts

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Google reportedly testing Helpouts

There's no question that Google Hangouts can be helpful; wouldn't it be nice to get cash for hosting them? Google may be sympathetic to that idea. TechCrunch claims that the search firm is testing Helpouts, a service that would let most anyone book Hangouts that optionally require fees. The appointment system would lean on Google Wallet for transactions, and it would divide chats into categories such as repair (think tech support) or education. Don't assume that you'll be starting a side business just yet, though. Helpouts reportedly entered internal testing in late June, and any public launch would be "at least a month away" -- if it happens at all, that is. We've reached out to Google for answers, so we'll let you know if and when it's time to start charging for online conversations.

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Source: TechCrunch

PSA: White House to host ‘We the Geeks’ hangout tomorrow at 12PM ET

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In the spirit of San Diego Comic Con, the White House is set to host a special geek-themed Google+ Hangout tomorrow, July 19th, at 12:00 PM ET to celebrate the geniuses pioneering real-life superhero-style technology. The event, part of its "We the Geeks" series, will cover recent innovations in materials science that could potentially take us to infinity and beyond, like impenetrable liquid armor, self-healing and touch-sensitive synthetic skin. Joining the Hangout are notable experts including (but certainly not limited to) James Kakalios, author of The Physics of Superheroes, Nathan Landy, a Duke University graduate student working on an invisibility cloak and Nate Ball, host of PBS's Design Squad Nation and inventor of the Batman-like Ascender. Got a question for these real world Tony Starks? Share it via Twitter or Google+ using the hashtag #WeTheGeeks.

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Source: White House

Rounds updates video chat app, lets users browse the web together (video)

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Rounds updates video chat app, lets users browse the web together video

Rounds is doing the rounds (natch!) this morning with a significant update to its video calling and instant messaging app. The company teamed up with Channel.me to add co-browsing to an already broad list of features. Users can now browse the web together during a video chat and see / control the same page at the same time. In terms of security, the experience mimics two people surfing the web in the same location (usernames are visible but passwords are hidden. for example). While users can enter any URL, the app also includes an icon grid of compatible sites, such as Google (for search), Wikipedia, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Amazon and eBay -- to name a few. As a refresher, Rounds lets friends watch YouTube videos and play games together during a video chat and even apply filters and scribble over each-others live video streams. It also supports instant messaging and photo sharing and ties it all together with Facebook Login. The app is available for most Android and iOS devices but is optimized to run on phones. Hit the break for the promo video and obligatory PR.

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The White House hosting a ‘We the Geeks’ Hangout later today, plans to talk asteroids

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The White House is hosting a 'We the Geeks' Hangout this afternoon, plans to talk asteroids

Ever since joining Google+ early last year, The White House has become more and more involved with the social network. And with word spreading amongst Earthlings about an asteroid (with its own moon, no less) zipping past the planet sometime around 5:00PM ET, the executive mansion of the US couldn't have chosen a better day to discuss the topic. As part of its ongoing "We the Geeks" series on Google+, The White House will be hosting a Hangout today where it plans to talk about asteroid characterization, identification, resource utilization and more. As you'd expect, there will be a some knowledgeable people present to spark the conversation, including NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, former astronaut Ed Lu and, of course, Bill Nye. So, if you plan to fly swing by later, be sure to set a reminder for 2:00PM ET, as that's when the Hangout is expected to begin.

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Source: The White House

Google+ Hangouts video chat won’t connect over AT&T (updated)

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Google Hangouts video chat won't connect over AT&T

If you have a smartphone connected to AT&T, you just got a bit more incentive to hop over to WiFi whenever possible. The new Google+ Hangouts app group video chat feature appears to be disabled whenever you attempt to connect via the cellular network. We tested the feature using a Verizon handset as well -- we were able to stream video just fine. It's not entirely clear whether AT&T has specifically blocked access to the service, but regardless of the reason, we're all too familiar with the carrier's desire to keep video chat off the airwaves. We can only hope that we'll be able to use Hangouts to its full potential soon, just as we can with Apple's FaceTime.

Update: AT&T has reached out with a statement. From what we can tell, Hangouts won't fall under the first category outlined below, as it replaces a pre-loaded app (Google Talk).

All AT&T Mobility customers can use any video chat app over cellular that is not pre-loaded on their device, but which they download from the Internet. For video chat apps that come pre-loaded on devices, we offer all OS and device makers the ability for those apps to work over cellular for our customers who are on Mobile Share, Tiered and soon Unlimited plan customers who have LTE devices. It's up to each OS and device makers to enable their systems to allow pre-loaded video chat apps to work over cellular for our customers on those plans.

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Via: SlashGear

Google launches new Google+ Hangouts platform and mobile apps with focus on conversations

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Google launches new Google Hangouts platform and mobile apps with focus on conversations

The rumors were apparently true: Google's unified chat platform (widely nicknamed Babel) is launching as the new Hangouts, with new mobile apps to match. The messaging service puts Android, Chrome, Gmail and iOS all on the same page for the first time, focusing the interface on conversations that carry over from device to device. Across the board, you'll find consistent notifications, as well as emoji and shared photo pools that weren't in Google Talk. Contacts are still there, but they're pushed to the side in the mobile view. Live group video is new, too, while text chats have watermarks to clarify who's reading and typing. Everyone gets access to the updated Hangouts today. The Android and iOS apps are available as we write this; Gmail users can hit a "try it now" button, while Chrome users can install an extension. One word of warning: the Android app currently won't run on some tablets, including the Nexus 7.

Gallery: Google I/O 2013: Hangouts

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Via: Official Gmail Blog, Google+ Project

Source: Chrome Web Store, App Store, Google Play

Google’s rumored Babel chat service will reportedly launch as Hangouts

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Google's rumored Babel chat service will reportedly launch as Hangouts

Google hasn't even officially launched Babel, but word on the street has it that the aforesaid term was being used internally to reference a new, unified chat platform. Now, TechRadar is reporting that Babel will simply become a part of Google Hangouts -- almost certainly as a means to continue the art of subtly shoving Google+ onto every user it can. Moreover, the newly expanded Hangouts could launch as early as next week during Google I/O, and we'll be there to bring you the goods if indeed it does.

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Via: SlashGear

Source: TechRadar