Microsoft and Skype Become One, Google Hangouts Lags - http://clapway.com/2016/01/22/microsoft-and-skype-become-one-google-hangouts-lags-123/

Microsoft gets on in on Google Hangouts by updating Skype so that it can open Microsoft Office documents straight from the application. The merge with Microsoft Office also allows users to schedule calls.

Skype Gets Updated In an Attempt to Compete with Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts and Gchat are a very predominantly used platform for businesses. This is because Google has it all pretty much in one place – Hangouts, Docs, Sheets and everything else that’s part of Google Drive and Google Apps for Work. However, the desktop/laptop platform and mobile app are not nearly as popular as Skype. Microsoft is getting in on the action by bringing in some of the Microsoft Office suite to Skype and give people one more reason to get and use Skype on mobile.

Microsoft Gets Busy With Productivity

According to the official announcement, Skype is launching a few new features to make productivity easier and more accessible. Now users can schedule calls on a calendar that can sync to Outlook. Users can even schedule calls from Outlook. In addition, users that use the Microsoft Office suite can now easily open Excel spreadsheets from Skype. They can also open Word documents and Powerpoint presentations to leaf through when they are sent through a chat or group chat. Customers will be able to seamlessly open the Office apps from Skype as well.

Updates for iOS and Windows Phone Are Yet to Be Announced

Right now, the update is only out for Android users. There has been no announcement on when this update will roll out to iOS or Windows Phone, but it could be sooner than people expect. Attracting Windows users is a priority for the company since Microsoft is their parent company. The company is still enhancing the updates for Windows 10 in order to access the Windows Phone platform and optimize it.

Will The Platform Lose Out to Google Hangouts?

Since Skype is the only widespread video calling app on mobile, it’ll take a few punches for Google Hangouts to catch up. If the Google Hangout mobile app gets upgraded in a similar scale, then we’ll see an interesting competition between the two platforms.

Microsoft and Skype Become One, Google Hangouts Lags

New Technology to help Google Hangouts and Messenger beat Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp - http://clapway.com/2015/12/23/new-technology-to-help-google-hangouts-and-messenger-beat-facebook-messenger-and-whatsapp/

Google is officially trying to beat the powerhouses in mobile messaging. The company has announced that they will be implementing artificial intelligence in their messaging service. This AI technology could help Google Hangouts beat the two powerhouses in mobile messaging, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

WHAT GOOGLE HANGOUTS IS

Google Hangouts is a messaging platform that includes video chatting, instant messaging, text messaging, and voice communications. This service can be accessed through Google’s Gmail service. However, it can also be accessed through Android and iOS mobile apps. This allows two or more users to partake in communication. However, the lack of support for multi-chat clients has been heavily criticized in the past.

GOOGLE HANGOUTS TO IMPLEMENT CHATBOT TECHNOLOGY

Google has been working with artificial intelligence more and more so this news is no surprise. Chatbots can be thought of as being a more intelligent search engine. A user could type a query and then this program would search through thousands of sources to try and get you your answer. Also with this technology, users would not have to worry about opening another program.

FACEBOOK MESSENGER AND WHATSAPP ARE SIMILAR

Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are very similar services to Google Hangouts. They are both instant messaging services as well. Facebook Messenger offers both a mobile and desktop version of their service. Users can talk with each other via text and voice communication. WhatsApp is very similar, but it is primarily for smartphones. The services it offers are identical. WhatsApp was actually acquired by Facebook in 2014.

RIGHT NOW, FACEBOOK MESSENGER AND WHATSAPP ARE KILLING GOOGLE HANGOUTS

As of August 2015, Google Hangouts is not even in the same ballpark as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Statistics were provided back in August about the top mobile messenger apps. WhatsApp actually led all services with 800 million monthly users. Facebook Messenger was not far behind, though. They had 700 million active monthly users as of August 2015. This is not even the surprising part, though. The statistics provided showed the top 10 services per monthly users. Google Hangouts was not even in the top 10. They are even behind KakaoTalk with 48 million monthly users.

THIS CHATBOT TECHNOLOGY IS WHAT GOOGLE HANGOUTS NEEDED

As seen by the statistics, Google Hangouts desperately needs a selling point. As of right now, there is no reason to switch to Google Hangouts. However, if this artificial intelligence technology turns out to be as good as it sounds then there might be a reason to switch. Google needed to massively spice up Google Hangouts. The good news is after this they will be ahead of the other messaging services. This does not necessarily mean by downloads, but by the product itself.

NO OFFICIAL DATE ON WHEN THIS WILL COME TO GOOGLE HANGOUTS

Google has not officially stated when they plan to release this new artificial intelligence technology for their messaging service. They have also not said anything on what this service will be called. The only thing we know for sure is that they are making this service. We will have to remain patient until the company officially announces when this service will be available to the public. So for now, we will just have to wait and continue to not have a reason to use Google Hangouts!

Read: Yahoo Expects to Beat Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Skype

New Technology to help Google Hangouts and Messenger beat Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp

Google Hangouts is Head to Head with Skype - http://clapway.com/2015/11/20/google-hangouts-is-head-to-head-with-skype123/

Google Hangouts Now Accessible to Non-Gmail Account Holders!

It looks like Google is catching up to Skype after their latest update, and is now introducing access to Google Hangouts via a link. The Web giant on Wednesday announced that you can join a Hangout even if you don’t have a Google account. The move comes after Skype added the exact same functionality last month.

Joining Google Hangouts is As Easy as Getting into a Public Google Doc

Google for Work Product Manager Patrick Wynn wrote in a blog article that joining Google Hangouts is now as easy as walking into a conference room. There’s no need for a Google account or registration processes, just a link.

You could welcome outside guests to Google Hangouts using Google Calendar. When the recipient obtains your invite, they just should click the web link in the event summary, fill in their name, and that’s that – they’re in. For included security, you’ll obtain a prompt to approve or deny their entry into the Hangout.

This is Just a Catch-Up to Skype

Skype already introduced this function last week. The Microsoft-owned firm additionally just recently presented the capability for individuals to invite anyone to join a Skype conversation by sharing a unique web link through e-mail, social media, or message handles.

Google just recently released a standalone Google Hangouts site where you can talk to your heart’s content right from your internet browser, without opening Gmail or Google+.

Google Hangouts is Head to Head with Skype

God Bless Microsoft and Google - http://clapway.com/2015/11/16/god-bless-microsoft-and-google123/

Microsoft and Google: Skype and Hangouts Will Be Free of International Charges for A Few Days

Microsoft and Google have made Skype calls and Google Hangout calls free for the next few days to honor the Paris attacks and help loved ones connect through their services. Much like Facebook has implemented the safety check tool to assert that users are safe and alert their loved ones, Microsoft and Google are doing their part to ensure that everyone suffering in Paris, can connect with their loved ones and mourn together.

Microsoft and Google: Skype and Hangout Will Help People Stay in Touch

Skype declared in a blogpost that in light of the chaotic events in Paris, the company will do its best to help families, colleagues and friends stay in touch. They immediately put into effect to make all international and domestic calls to landlines and mobiles in France will be free of charge, probably through the three days French President Hollande declared days of mourning for the country.

On the other hand, Google+ made a blog post of their own, where they declared that all calls made to France via Hangouts will be free of international charges. Calls can be made from anywhere in the world, judging by their statement.

Like Facebook, Microsoft and Google Made no Moves for Beirut or Baghdad

Microsoft and Google haven’t made any announcements in regards to the November 13 attacks on Beirut or Baghdad, which Facebook took a few hits for. This could constitute as bias in regards to the standing of the company and the scale of the attacks, but since there hasn’t been any direct backlash or response from Microsoft and Google, it’s not clear if they received as much negative feedback as Facebook.

God Bless Microsoft and Google