Google is finally pushing Hangouts 4.0 for Android phones and tablets, bringing along with it the long-awaited new design. After first rolling out for the iPhone, Google is now bringing the new design and speed enhancements to Android. Some of the key features of the update include:
- Hangouts is sleeker. Now updated with material design, Hangouts has a new look and feel: items respond to your touch in more intuitive ways and transitions between tasks are more fluid.
- Hangouts is simpler. The new Compose button makes it easier for you to start a new group or conversation. Our streamlined contacts list helps you find the right person quickly. And attachments have been revamped and simplified, so sharing—of emoji, GIFs, your location, even multiple photos at once—is a snap.
- Hangouts is faster. Whether you’re sending a quick message or video chatting with family, you don’t want hold-ups. We’ve been obsessively fixing bugs and speeding up message delivery to make Hangouts faster and more reliable. Bonus: less battery consumption.
Plus you’ll be able to reply to group MMS messages, even when using a Google Voice number (which is a big deal, particularly for Project Fi customers).
The update is rolling out starting now — presumably through the usual staged rollout, wherein a small percentage of users get it first — and should be more widely available over time. Be sure to check for the update, and let us know your thoughts once you receive it.
Source: Google