Google Hangouts is an application that allows real-time chat, voice, and video communications between users of Google accounts. While Hangouts is not yet part of the UNCC google apps package (coming in July 2015), you may run across it due to its popularity. Hangouts is free, a part of all privately google accounts, and is sometimes used as an alternative to Skype. Features include:
- Real time textual chat and/or video communication between two users on computers or mobile devices (Android, iPad, etc)
- Dial calls from computer to phone
- Group chats for text or video
- Ability to send files to others (integrates with Google Drive via drag and drop)
- Integration with Android OS to blend Hangouts communication with text messages
- Integrated into the Chrome browser and Chrome notification center
Hangouts works on a variety of devices and requires only a Google account enabled with hangouts to function. A webcam and microphone are necessary for video chat functions.
Hangouts also has a suite of apps within the video chat system that allow users to share screens, play games together, draw on the screen, and collaborate on documents.
“Hangouts on Air” is virtual conferencing software similar to GoToWebinar or Adobe Connect. It integrates with YouTube for recording and live streaming and allows for a multitude of users to connect to a single session.