For fans of #Google #Hangouts -- you won"t wanna miss this! - http://clapway.com/2015/08/18/google-unveils-a-brand-new-standalone-website-for-hangouts-323/

When it comes to messaging on Android devices, Google offers an impressive amount of ways you can get it done, but it can be overwhelming. There are technically three first-party messaging apps: Messenger, Hangouts, and Voice; plus the myriad of other third-party messaging apps like Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger.

All of that is going to change because Google is now making Hangouts a top level product, and has already launched the app’s very own dedicated website.

Hangouts 4.0

Google has been updating many of Android’s core apps in anticipation of Android Marshmallow, which was confirmed earlier this week. A lot of the changes to Hangouts 4.0 were incredibly welcomed. The app received a sleeker look to it as it was finally updated to support Android 5.0’s material design. That means it’s not only sleeker looking but more touch friendly, and is simpler to navigate all around.

Check out more news from Google here!

Previously, Google’s Messenger app was the go-to for many Android users since it was implemented as a regular SMS replacement app for stock phones. Hangouts was missing some of the simpler features that Messenger already incorporated.

Hangout Features

The inclusion of a standalone website now gives Hangouts a few advantages over its younger brother. Previously users could only use Hangouts through their Gmail, but now users have a beautifully designed website with an intuitive interface. Chats are synced up across all Android, iOS, and any other web-enabled devices, so being connecting is easy.

Voice integration is also a big selling feature, which was already present in previous iterations of Hangouts, but now users are able to use MMS in Voice messages as well.

The standalone site is very simplistic in design. There is a beautiful background image that changes periodically (just like Chromecast), there is a chat bar on the left side along with contacts, phone, and options menu buttons. The main meat of the app simply shows off the gorgeous wallpapers and has three easy buttons that allows users to quickly jump into a phone call, video call, or a quick text message.

Availability

Hangouts 4.0 should now be available to just about everyone at this point. If you don’t already have it then there is probably a notification sitting in your notification panel asking you to update the app. The website can be reached through hangouts.google.com. For users who still want to chat through Gmail, you can do that too! For the time being, Google has no plans to take out the option. So, go check out the new Google Hangouts site and let us know what you think in the comments!

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Can’t get enough tech on Clapway Trends:

Google Unveils a Brand New Standalone Website for Hangouts

Microsoft Office Available On Android - http://clapway.com/2015/06/24/microsoft-office-available-on-android765/

The Suite Now Downloadable on Android Phones

Microsoft has officially launched Microsoft Office for Android smartphones. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can now be downloaded as apps, allowing for essays, spreadsheets, and presentations to be made on the go in the palm of your hand. It is a launch that has been predicted for some time, since the apps have previously been available for Android tablets.

Previews Lasted Shorter Than Expected

It would be easy to assume that with a launch as big as this – Microsoft Office is arguably the most well-known computer software translating to one of the most popular type of phones – that this would be previewed and modified for a significant amount of time, so as to get things just right. But surprisingly, these previews only began in May, meaning a scant five weeks to make significant changes. But Microsoft insists that it got plenty of feedback in that short amount of time, testing the Microsoft Office apps on nearly 2,000 Android models, and in 83 countries.

It’s Coming Pre-Loaded in the Future

Those of you with Android phones can download the apps now, no problem. But if that’s still too much work for you and you plan on getting a new phone soon, you are in luck. The plan is for Microsoft Office to soon become a fixture in Android smartphones, as Microsoft is partnering with over thirty phone distributors to make that happen later in 2015. These include LG, Samsung, and Sony.

It’s Free… Mostly

The Microsoft Office apps can be downloaded for free on your Android device. No doubt about it. With this free app, you can edit documents, as well as deliver presentations. If you have OneDrive, you can access your files through there, but thanks to more partnering, you can use other existing apps you may have to access these documents, such as Google Drive or Dropbox. So it’s safe to say the most basic functions you need for Microsoft Office are totally free of charge. But there are additional functions available, and if you want them, you’ll have to subscribe to their Office 365 service. And that’s less free.

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For your more traditional word processing needs, try the Moleskine Voyageur Traveller’s Notebook.

Microsoft Office Available On Android