Google Gtalk Will Be Replaced With Hangouts On February 16

As per Google, Hangout is the future for Google audio and video communication tool and that was why Google decided to discontinue Gtalk. It is the most logical thing that Google can do now replacing with Hangout. It has also decided to cut support regarding security and version for the desktop application. As posted by Google the IM service will be wholly replaced by the Hangouts app, which can used only via its Chrome web browser.

Gtalk will be shutting down on February 16. Gtalk will become history like Orkut. Hangout hasn't been openly liked by all users as compared to Gtalk which was widely accepted by millions of users. Hangout has been integrated with phone-tablet-PC like something Microsoft has tried with Windows 10. Anyway the transition was bound to happen since last year. Popular messaging app WhatsApp has now moved to PCs as well and that has made Gtalk all the more redundant, so with Hangout Google wants to make instant messaging which will be interactive and a visual approach.

Google Hangouts has the below main features : 

Group conversations :

Send photos or emoji, see when people are engaged in the Hangout and message friends anytime, even if they're not connected right now.

Video and Voice :

Turn any Hangout into a live video call with up to 10 friends or simply search for a contact to start a voice call from your computer.

Friends can use Hangouts :

Hangouts works on computers, Android and Apple devices, so you can connect with everyone, and no one gets left out.

Lets see how Hangout replaces its predator's place in terms of popularity.

Source : Google

Google Hangouts For Android Gets SMS Integration And More

Google introduces updates for its Hangouts cross-platform messaging service which includes SMS support, animated GIFs and one-tap location sharing for its Android app.

Recent updates will be available in the Google Play store over the next few days. It will give you the ability to instantly share your location with other Hangouts users. You have to tap the new pin icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the app, and Hangouts will pull in your immediate position and post it within the conversation stream as a Google Maps thumbnail. Android version of Hangouts is also being updated with SMS support. 

That means you’ll be able to use Hangouts as your default app both for traditional texting and web-based instant messaging, effectively replacing the default SMS app. It’s not confirmed whether location sharing and SMS support is planned for the iOS version of Hangouts. For now though, it’s worth checking to see if you can access the latest version on your Android smartphone or tablet.