Google Unifies Cross-Platform Messaging Services With 'Hangouts'

[Mackilroy]

Nope....it's not for me.

First it didn't like my name and Google has to "review" it.
Then it wants to take a photo of me.
Then it wants my phone number.
I didn't go any further.

Can't help you with the first or the second–but I'll note the third is optional. I skipped it.

 

[bbfc]

As many as you need to reach everyone you need without paying carrier's ridiculous fees.

Except in the UK where most people on a contract get practically unlimited texts anyway. I get 5000 texts thrown in and I barely use them because of iMessage, twitter etc.

 

[Belmont31R]

Same here.

Also, have you been able to use Google Now? Mine says "it's not enabled; check with administrator." Can't find a switch to to enable it though.

Yeah there is a setting for Google Now. I use Google + on the web and the app. Now the Hangouts app won't work. For now signed in with a regular gmail acct.

 

[bozzykid]

Whether or not you delete your history, Google still retains that data.

So Google is violating their own data retention policies and storing it for eternity? Sure. And pigs fly as well.

 

[GoodRhubarb]

Yeah there is a setting for Google Now. I use Google + on the web and the app. Now the Hangouts app won't work. For now signed in with a regular gmail acct.

Can you say precisely what that setting is?

 

[adam044]

So this is just basically google+ messenger unless I'm missing something. OR like facebook messenger, syncs on phones, tablets and can be accessed from any computer... cool? No.

 

[fel10]

David is hot

 

[nepalisherpa]

Except in the UK where most people on a contract get practically unlimited texts anyway. I get 5000 texts thrown in and I barely use them because of iMessage, twitter etc.

Yeah! Wish we were that lucky here in the US.

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I'm more apt to trust a company whose core business isn't analyzing your every move and selling advertising that targets you individually (while giving everything else away for free to suck in as many targets…er, users, as possible).

How do you think personalized iAd works?

 

[Belmont31R]

Can you say precisely what that setting is?

Settings>mobile>bottom under Android click enable Google Now.

Don't think they updated the apps page to include the iPhone but Now works fine on it.

 

[bsolar]

Google: Drives around in special cars that take pictures of your house while vacuuming up personal data from open wifi networks.

They decided to do something no one ever did before. Now that they fixed the privacy issues, it's clear it was a bloody good idea, as any Google StreetView user knows. It's one of the reasons Google Maps to me is unquestionably superior to any other alternative.

 

[leftynaut]

So I can uninstall google+ (aka-hangouts v1) now? hooray!

 

[Renzatic]

How do you think personalized iAd works?

Wild guessing, I'd say. Cuz Apple don't do the evil what Google did does.

 

[GoldenJoe]

That market got crowded fast.

 

[Jack Dangers]

Has anyone been able to log in with their google apps for business account?
I keep getting an error that the feature has to be enabled in my account which it already is...

 

[hkenneth]

Whatsapp still has a bigger global reach and brand recognition than the rest though...

Not in China I'm afraid. Most Chinese use Wechat.

 

[Belmont31R]

Has anyone been able to log in with their google apps for business account?
I keep getting an error that the feature has to be enabled in my account which it already is...

Same here and already mentioned a few times in this thread.

 

[aristotle]

Would you trust Apple or Microsoft with your conversations? Really?

Apple has repeatedly stated that they require a warrant whereas google is much more friendly with the US and other governments.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Apple has repeatedly stated that they require a warrant whereas google is much more friendly with the US and other governments.

Anything to support this claim?

 

[Oletros]

Apple has repeatedly stated that they require a warrant whereas google is much more friendly with the US and other governments.

REally? Can you support your claim or it is more FUD from you?

 

[aristotle]

Are you a terrorist or something? Jesus!

What's up with all that "Google phobia"???

Give us a break!

No. I work for big brother (indirectly). The focus of my work involved detecting certain things.

 

[bearda]

Yes... you have to verify your mobile number when you first launch it.

No, it doesn't. I've bene playing with it on my Nexus 4 and you can't send or receive standard text messages with Hangouts (other than the verification message). It lets you look up contacts via phone number but it doesn't actually integrate with SMS other than to verify the phone number (which seems pointless). It's nearly as seemless as iMessage or Facebook Messenger (on Android).

 

[chevy57]

Nice for Hangouts on my iOS devices but no online/offline features.

 

[Bear]

More than Apple, yeah


Image

I'd trust Google more than Facebook. But that isn't saying much. And all things considered, yeah I do trust Apple more than Google currently.

 

[sniffies]

Can you say precisely what that setting is?

Settings>mobile>bottom under Android click enable Google Now.

Don't think they updated the apps page to include the iPhone but Now works fine on it.

I don't see the menu "Settings". There's no "Mobile". Am I looking in the wrong place???

 

[TheGenerous]

Advertisments, they all play the same tunes and stories. Apple style is becoming not cool. ding ding ding ding.. diiing.