Hi there! I'm Mateo, and I've been knee-deep in the world of tech and communication for over a decade. I've seen messaging apps evolve from simple text exchanges to dynamic platforms for connection and collaboration. So, you want to talk about Hangouts? Buckle up – it's a bit of a trip down memory lane!

## Hangouts: A Blast from the Past

You see, Hangouts as a single, unified app *doesn't really exist anymore*. Google retired the brand in its classic form back in 2022. However, its legacy lives on in two distinct Google services: Google Chat and Google Meet. To understand what "Hangouts" *was* used for, we need to rewind a bit.

### The Rise (and Fragmentation) of Hangouts

Back in the day (think 2013), Google Hangouts was designed to be a one-stop shop for communication. It aimed to simplify Google's then-fragmented approach to messaging. Here's a breakdown of its key features and uses:


1. Instant Messaging: At its core, Hangouts allowed users to send text messages, emojis, and stickers in one-on-one conversations or group chats.


2. Voice & Video Calls: Hangouts supported free voice calls over the internet to other Hangouts users. It also enabled video calls with up to 10 participants.


3. Google Voice Integration: For a while, Google integrated its Voice service (for managing phone numbers and calls) directly into Hangouts.


4. SMS Messaging (Briefly): In some regions, Google experimented with making Hangouts the default SMS app on Android phones. However, this integration was short-lived.


5. Screen Sharing: Hangouts allowed users to share their screens during video calls, making it useful for remote collaboration and presentations.

### The Split: Chat & Meet Emerge

As the tech landscape evolved, Google's strategy shifted. They realized that cramming everything into a single "Hangouts" app wasn't the most effective approach. This led to the gradual split:

- Google Chat (2017): Google Chat emerged as a dedicated platform for team communication, focusing on:
- Threaded Conversations: Organizing messages within channels for better project management.
- File Sharing & Collaboration: Integrating with Google Drive for seamless document sharing.
- Bot Integrations: Allowing teams to connect with third-party services and automate tasks.

- Google Meet (2017): Meet became the dedicated video conferencing platform, emphasizing:
- Simplified Video Calls: Making it incredibly easy to start and join video meetings.
- Meeting Recording & Transcripts: Offering features for capturing and reviewing meeting content.
- Larger Meeting Capacity: Scaling to accommodate more participants compared to the original Hangouts video calls.

### What Replaced Hangouts?

So, while we can't say a single app "replaced" Hangouts, Google Chat and Google Meet inherited its core functions:

- **For everyday messaging, casual chats, and staying in touch with friends and family, Google Chat has taken over.** Think of it as a modern-day alternative to SMS/MMS.

- **For video meetings, online presentations, remote team gatherings, and virtual events, Google Meet is now the go-to solution.**

### Why Did Hangouts Fade?

Several factors contributed to Hangouts' retirement:

- Lack of a Clear Focus: Trying to be everything to everyone made it less appealing to specific user groups.
- Competition: Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams gained significant traction with more focused features.
- **Google's Constant Innovation (and App Overlap):** Let's be real, Google is known for launching and retiring apps. The Hangouts ecosystem became a bit muddled.

### In Conclusion

The "Hangouts" app, in its original form, is no longer with us. It evolved into Google Chat and Google Meet, catering to the distinct needs of modern communication and collaboration. So, the next time someone asks you what Hangouts is used for, you can give them a little history lesson!

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As with the previous Google+ Hangouts, users can also perform a group video chat with up to 10 users at a time. ... The new Google Hangouts app on iOS integrates a Google Voice number to some extent, but on Android the SMS support in Hangouts doesn't fully integrate with Google Voice for calls or texts.read more >>