As a remote team of 12, we've come to depend on Google Hangout video calls for our weekly standup meetings. The tool is free, quick to access and familiar to everyone on the team. Though like any other video conferencing software, Hangouts comes with hangups.
Can you hear me?
Simple, frictionless video meetings from Google. Collaborate and develop relationships with your team regardless of where they are in the world. Key features. Feb 8, 2018 - Is this happening with all the Hangouts video calls or only with a few or only. Occasionally (unpredictably), the camera on my MacBook Pro laptop. The Hangouts app opens when I click on a Google Calendar invitation is.
Can you invite my other Gmail account?
If you use Hangouts, you've been there (or soon will be there). And when that day comes you're googling incessantly looking for the answer. Hopefully, you'll need to search no more.
The following Google Hangout video call guide shows you how to get started, invite participants, record a call, collaborate over a Google Doc and more.
Guide Overview
1. Get Acquainted with Google Hangout Video Calls
To use Google Hangouts, you'll first need to have a Gmail, Google Apps for Business or Google Apps for Education account and activate that account's Google+ profile.
Now it's time to find where to access Hangouts video calls. If on a computer, you can start a Google Hangouts video call from one of two places: your Gmail inbox or Google+. In Gmail, look for the Hangouts icon in the bottom left corner, and on Google+, look in the upper right corner.
If you haven't yet conducted a Hangout, you'll be prompted to download a plugin. So if you're expecting to do you first Hangout later today, download it now and give it a test run to make sure you're set. Having to email attendees just as the meeting starts to say, 'Hold on, I'm downloading a plugin,' isn't fun. I've been there. (Using Safari or Firefox? Check out Google's support page for more instructions.)
If on a mobile device, grab the Hangouts Android or iOS app.
Make Sure You're Using the Right Google Account
If you're using Google for both personal and work email, say you have a Gmail and Google Apps account, then make sure you're hanging out from the correct account. This is important on either end of a video call—sending or receiving an invitation. Think of your two accounts like two different telephone numbers.
How to Transfer a Google+ Personal Account to a Work Account
If you initially set up your Google+ profile with one Gmail or Google Apps account but now want to transfer your circles and connections to another Gmail or Google Apps account, check out Google Takeout. The main function of Takeout is to download your data, but it facilitates a transfer, too—use the icon called out below.
I performed a Google Takeout last year when I switched jobs, began using Google+ for my new position and wanted to take advantage of past connections I had established.
Hangouts Video Calls vs. Hangouts On Air
If a colleague says, 'Let's Hangout' with a capital 'H', it likely means they want to initiate a one-to-one or group video call using Google Hangouts. Though you might also hear them say, 'Let's hold a Hangouts On Air'. It's similar, but a Google Hangout On Air is published on their Google+ profile or page and YouTube channel. For meetings, you'll most often rely on a Hangouts video call, but there are some clever On Air uses, such as sending a recording of the call right to YouTube. (We'll cover how to do so later.)
If you're looking for a Hangouts On Air guide, I recommend the following resources:
'Get started with Hangouts On Air' by Google
'How to create a hangout-on-air, integrate with a Google+ event and set it up on YouTube afterwards' (Video) by Martin Shervington
'How do I start a Hangout on Air? Best practices after Feb 2014' (Video) by Ronnie Bincer
'How to Create Google+ Hangouts On Air: A Step-by-Step Guide' by Jan Ozer
If a colleague says, 'Let's hangout' with a lowercase 'h', gnarly! Enjoy the hang out session.
2. Take a Quick Tour of the Hangouts User Interface
So what does a Google Hangouts video call look like anyway? If you haven't yet participated in one, here's a quick tour of the what you'll see on your first call. Each aspect will be discussed later in the guide.
Note: Google is constantly changing its Hangouts design, so your first glimpse could be slightly different.
Google Effects - Hangouts app that lets you add silly hats, mustaches and more to your video
Chat - Opens a sidebar that lets you chat with other participants
Screenshare - Share your screen, with options to show a specific window, full desktop or certain app
Capture - Take a screenshot of the hangout
YouTube - Google Hangouts app that lets you watch YouTube videos with other hangout participants
Google Drive - Hangouts app to collaborate on existing Google Docs or start a new one
Google Effects - Hangouts app to let the other participant control your computer remotely (with permission of course, Google states)
Add Google Apps - Opens Hangouts app store
Invite People - Add participants
Mute Microphone - Mutes your microphone
Turn Camera Off - Turns your camera off
Limit Bandwidth - Allows you to manually control your video quality so you can adjust bandwidth usage
Settings - Opens settings for camera, microphone and speakers
Leave Call - Exits you from the video call
Google Hangout Room URL - The unique URL for your current Hangout
Help, Keyboard Shortcuts and Send Feedback - Click here for links or quick references of each
Hangout Participants
You
3. Add the Google Hangouts Chrome Extension
If you're using Chrome—if not, skip this step—download the Google Hangouts extension to make initiating and joining Hangouts more convenient.
The browser add-on makes Hangouts its own app, meaning now longer do you need to go to Gmail or Google+ to start a video call. If you use a Hangouts mobile app, too, it also syncs your history and notifications across devices.
4. How to Invite Participants
With a few of the basics covered, now comes the most important part of a Hangout: hanging out!
You're able to invite as many attendees as you'd like, but Hangout Video Chat limit is 10 participants (the first 10 in), unless you have a Google Apps for Business or Google Apps for EDU account, in which case it's increased to 15 participants. If you fall in the latter category, make sure you've activated Google+ premium features for your Google Apps account to take advantage of the higher limit.
There are a variety of ways to invite others to a Hangout.
Invite in Gmail (without Chrome Extension)
Click on the Hangouts either on top of your Google chat bar to open a new window that offers invitation by either sharing a link, sending an email invitation or adding a telephone number.
Invite via Chrome Extension
Regardless of what page you're on, just click the Hangouts icon on the browser toolbar (or on a Mac, in the menu bar, too) to open the stand alone app.
From there, you have a two options:
Click on contact name (or search for contact and click on contact name) to bring up new Hangouts message window, then click the Hangouts icon
Search for contact or Google+ circles, click on check box to the left of name to add to group call and repeat until ready to click 'Video Call'
Invite on Google+
Click the Hangouts icon in the upper right hang corner where you'll find a menu that works the same as the Chrome extension walkthrough above.
Look to the bottom of the list for this quick link to open a new Hangout window where you'll then be prompted to invite participants.
You can also find a Hangouts link under the 'Home' button:
If initiating a one-to-one call, you can also visit a contact's Google+ profile and click the Hangouts icon.
Invite in the Hangouts Video Call Window
If you have the video chat window open, it's not too late. Just look for the 'Invite People' button on the top toolbar to add individuals, Google+ circles or a combination of both to the call.
Invite from the Hangouts Mobile App
Once again, look for the Hangout icon, that's your ticket.
Invite within a Google Calendar Event
Extending a video call invitation can be done ahead of time, as well, by employing Google Calendar.
When creating a new event, click 'Add video call' (in my Google Apps for Business account, this action is now selected by default).
Add attendees in the 'Add guests' field.
'Save' the new event and an invitation will be sent.
Here's what the invited attendee sees:
Google also recommends that you send a quick email or chat message to attendees 10 minutes before the meeting with the video call URL. This way your participants will be reminded it's a Hangouts video call and they won't need to go searching for the URL of it at the last minute.
Invite by Sharing the URL
As a last resort, just share the link. To invite someone into the same Hangout room as you, all that's needed is a link (and one of 10 or 15 spots, of course). To do so, go to your browser's address bar, copy the URL of your Hangout and share it with them via chat or email.
Automate the Invite with Zapier
We use our own automation tool at Zapier to automate a weekly reminder message in our team chat app, Slack. To do this, we connect Google Calendar to Slack via Zapier, having it automatically create a new chat message each week 15 minutes before our standup starts. The message contains our meeting order (we go in order of birthdays) and the Hangout URL.
Zapier also integrates with chat apps HipChat, Campfire, Hall, Kato and Sqwiggle, making this automation with Google Hangouts possible with each.
Related: 'How to Make Your Team Chat Room a Notification Command Center'
Add a Dial-In Phone Number
Add the UberConference Hangouts app—apps will be discussed below—to enable a dial-in number for your Hangout.
5. How to Record a Video Call
Not so fast. As promising as this headline sounds, it must be admitted upfront that Hangouts video chat doesn't currently offer this functionality. But that, of course, doesn't stop the Internet from doing so.
Save as Screen Recording
The most recommended way to record a Hangouts video call is to use a screen recorder app. After finding one that suits you, use it to select the window displaying the call and click 'record'.
At Zapier, we rely on Screenflow, a robust screen recording tool, to archive our Hangouts when needed. The tool sells for $99, which is a relatively high price for this kind of tool but it's well worth it for other screen recording videos. Whatever app you land on, just make sure to check the maximum recording length—some free ones only offer up to five minutes.
Save as YouTube Private Video
Google+ blogger and consultant Martin Shervington offers a clever workaround for Google's lacking video calls feature: use Google Hangouts On Air but keep it private.
Shervington provides a great step-by-step overview on his Plus Your Business site.
Save as Audio Recording in UberConference
Though it doesn't save the full Google Hangouts experience, using the UberConference app inside of hangouts offers the option to save the audio as an MP3 and retrieve it in your UberConference account.
5. How to Collaborate with Participants
Google Hangouts offers apps to let you get more work done with the others on the video call.
At start, a few Google apps are pre-loaded in the left toolbar, such as YouTube and Remote Desktop, but when you access them for the first time you'll need to go through a couple final steps. For more apps, click on the ellipses on the bottom of the left toolbar to bring up the app store.
Chat
Use the Chat app to share links or short notes with other participants, but be aware of two quirks:
Chat is only shown to active participants - If someone joins your Hangout five minutes into it, that person won't be able to see the first five minutes of the chat.
Chat isn't archived - If you want to save your chat stream from a video call, make sure to copy and paste it into another doc.
Share Your Screen
Screenshare offers a variety of ways to show other participants your screen, be it by app, window or the full desktop.
Connect Google Drive to Edit Together
Use the Google Drive app to work on a Google Doc together. You can either start a fresh doc or sketchpad or access one from your Drive account.
Google provides a glimpse of the Google Drive app in action:
Give a Participant Control of Your Computer
With Hangouts Remote Desktop app, you can give another participant control of your computer, helping you solve a tech issue or walking you through a new trick in Keynote.
Watch a YouTube Video Together
If you need to review your product's new promotional video with the creative shop behind it, the YouTube app could be a handy way to watch together and then have a quick discussion around it.
Review a SlideShare Presentation Together
Much like watching a YouTube video, you can also view a SlideShare presentation as a group with the SlideShare app for Google Hangouts.
7. Tips & Tricks
On top of what's been already covered, keep the following in mind when you using Google Hangouts. Hopefully it'll save you a headache in the future.
Typing Mutes Your Mic
With an aim to improve audio on conference calls, Hangouts automatically mutes your mic when you type.
If You Can't Hear or See, Check Your Settings
Click on the gear icon on the top tool bar to make sure you're using the correct camera, microphone and speaker. Even as a heavy Hangouts user, I'll stumble on this issue myself.
Get a Good Headset, too
A quality headset goes a long ways when you're on Google Hangouts video calls. We took The Wirecutter's recommendation at Zapier and everyone grabbed a Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 headset.
Add Lower Thirds
Use the Hangout Toolbox Hangouts app to add lower thirds to your video output. This can be very helpful for conference calls of five or more people.
Select Participant to Cement Camera
Google Hangouts will automatically switch the main video feed to the person currently speaking. But if you want to keep the camera on one person, maybe that's the participant with a SlideShare presentation, you can click on their box at the bottom of the Hangouts window, which outlines it in blue and keeps it there. Click on it again to go back to the default automatic switching.
Send a 'Quiet Invitation'
A couple months ago Google added a 'Quiet Invitation' option to allow you to turn off the ringing sound when notifying the participant of the invitation. They'll still get a notification in their Hangouts list in Google+, but they won't be interrupted.
Adjust Bandwidth or Turn Off Camera to Fix Poor Quality
If your fellow participants are telling you your video is choppy or not coming in, you have two options:
Turn off your camera and only use voice—just click the camera icon on the top toolbar
Manually adjust your bandwidth by clicking on the icon that resembles mobile phone reception bars. For a detailed overview of what bandwidth is best for your connection, see the Hangouts bandwidth settings support page.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Like other Google products, Hangouts comes equipped with keyboard shortcuts, too. The most convenient two on Mac are ⌘E to turn your camera on and off and ⌘D to mute and unmute your microphone. For a full list, see the Hangouts support page for keyboard shortcuts.
8. Clever Ways to Use Hangout Video Chat
Hold Office Hours
Want to get direct feedback from your customers? Try hosting a weekly public Hangout video call on your Google+ profile. Limited to 10 participants, this is a great way to connect with users to field questions and ideas.
Add Hangouts to Your Website
Google recently rolled out a Hangout start button, which can be embedded in any app or website. Early users include CRM tool Insightly, which lets users startup a Hangout with contact from inside their app, and Zendesk, which gives customer support agents a quick way to jump on a video call to discuss a ticket.
Pony Up $1,000 for Hangout Hardware
Google has also begun selling a video call kit, the Chromebox, that promises to improve your video meetings. The device cost $999 and requires a $250 per device annual fee.
Additional Hangout Video Call Resources
Though this resource is titled the 'complete guide,' Hangouts is constantly changing and its users are discovering new ways to make the most of it. If you have a Hangout video call tip or trick that was left out above, please leave a comment below.
For more resources on Hangout Video Calls, I recommend the following resources:
'Hangouts Help Center' by Google
'Google Video Calls (Hangouts): Self-Help Guide' by the University of Minnesota
'Complete Guide to Google Hangouts for Businesses and Individuals' by Martin Shervington
Use Zapier with Your Google Apps
If you're a Google user who enjoys getting more out of the tools they offer, then check out app automation and integration made possible with Zapier.
You may also enjoy these articles:
'How to Run a Remote Team Standup Meeting'
'10 Free Chrome Extensions for Getting Work Done'
'Google Chrome for Marketers: 10 Setup Tips, 20+ Extensions You Need to Know'
As technology continues to evolve, newer apps keep emerging. Most of the new apps are built as improvements to existing ones or as their alternatives. Depending on their functionalities, there are those that do catch on, while others do not. Google Hangouts is one such app. Although it was developed by one of the most powerful companies on the internet business, it never really took off. This article looks at the app, its functionalities, the reasons why it may have failed, and list out Google Hangouts alternatives that now compete with it.
Ideal Alternative to Hangouts
Free for up to 100 Participants
Fluent Group Video/Audio/IM Chat
Screen Sharing and Annotation
Whiteboard and Collaboration
Record and Playback
SIGN UP FREE NOW
Part 1. What Is Google Hangouts?
This is a Google productivity tool that is available across various platforms. It was developed by Google with the aim of offering communication through various channels including voice, texting, and video chatting. The tool offers functionalities that are useful for one-on-one communication between two individuals and for general corporate use.
The app is integrated into Google + and in Gmail. A mobile app is also available for those using iOS and Android operating systems. For most individuals, the app has been perceived as a tool for individual communication. However, it is built with functionalities that handle corporate communications with ease.
Pros
# It is mostly free to use – Largely, the use of the app is free. You ou can easily download, install, and use it from the Google Play app store. The only time that it incurs a cost is when call are made to carriers outside the US or Canada. Charges also apply when it is used commercially, mainly for corporate purposes.
# Available across various platforms – Since Google has numerous other products that people already use, Hangouts can also be accessed in many ways. It is available for download across many mobile phone operating systems. It can be installed on other web browsers or paired with Google Chrome. It can also be used inside a Gmail account.
# Can be used in multiple ways – One can use Google Hangouts as a texting message, a voice calling tool or through Google video calling to get connected with your colleagues and clients. This makes it a tool that is very handy and easy to use.
Cons
# Inconsistency – there is a level of inconsistency in the way that the app works on different platforms. For example, to use the app to make voice calls to mobile devices, one is required to install another app called Hangout Dialer. However, to achieve the same goal when using its desktop version, one is required to first install the Google Chrome browser.
# Lack of Independence - The app requires additional tools to give some of its basic services like voice calling. Having to add the Hangout Dialer or Google Chrome seems cumbersome.
# Not ideal for users of other platforms – Google works best for people who are fans of other Google tools. However, it may not work as well if you intend to use just one of Google’s products. This is a major failure compared to other Google Hangouts alternatives that work as standalone communication tools.
Generally, Google Hangout is a good communication tool for you to communicate with colleagues and clients when all of you're users of other Google tools such as Google Chrome, Gmail, and Google +. However, it faces stiff competition from other alternatives that seem to offer many more functionalities. Here is a look at some of the top alternatives.
Part 2. Alternatives to Google Hangouts
1. ezTalks Meetings
ezTalks Meetings is a professional video conferencing tool that is available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android Phone platforms. The app has both free and paid options depending on the features one want to use. The fact that its creators have focused on offering video conferencing services makes it very superior in this space. It also has various important features that make it a good alternative to Google Hangouts .
For starters, video conferencing is possible for up to 100 for free, and up to 500 participants for premium version. Secondly, one can send an invitation for a video call to another person without requiring that person to install or register for an account. This makes it easy to use and hustle free for people who do not already have it. The invite can be sent as a link via email. The app also has high quality video and audio capabilities. It can offer resolutions of up to 1920 x 1080p HD. Additionally, eztalks Meetings gives you the power to do the following things, like application and desktop sharing, drawing ideas with inbuilt interactive whiteboard tool, annotation, group chat, private chat, locking & unlocking meeting room, meeting scheduling and more.
2. FaceTime
This Google Hangouts alternative client is an app that comes as a default tool in iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. It is free to use. It offers both video and voice call services with family and friends who have Apple gadgets. Since the app uses internet connectivity, you do not have to have a cellular service to use it. FaceTime can be used as long as the gadget can connect to the internet, even though a Wi-Fi connection.
The main disadvantage of this Hangouts alternative client is that it is only available on Apple devices. Secondly, it also cannot call landline numbers. It also lacks video group calling capabilities, a key feature in communication tools.
3. Messenger
This is an alternative to Hangouts that associated with the Facebook ecosystem. Users of Facebook are required to install this app as an alternative to the previous messaging service that was available within the platform. Like other products in this space, it offers text, voice, SMS, and video calling services.
Messenger is free and it offers an encrypted messaging service. This means that all messages sent through the app are private. One does not have to have a Facebook account or cellular service to use the app.
Once this alternative to Hangouts is installed on your smartphone, it automatically detects the contacts in your smartphone. However, there is an option for the app not to access this information. Logging into the app is not required as long as one is logged into Facebook. However, the app offers limited file-type support compared to other apps.
4. Telegram Messenger
This is one of the latest apps to enter into the messaging space. This Hangout alternative has superior features that have most likely been developed in consideration to the failures in other similar apps. It is available on multiple platforms and offers end-to-end encryption.
Telegram offers texting services, photo editing tools, and a wide array of stickers. The key drawback of this app is its lack of voice or video calling options.
5. WhatsApp
This app is one of the most multifunction tools in this space and a great Google Hangouts alternative. It can be used to exchange messages, videos, audio messages, voice calls, video calls, images and even files. The app is free to install and use, regardless of the extent to which one uses it.
The other advantage is that it automatically detects the contact of colleagues who have the app in your phonebook. It’s also easy to create groups by sending invites to colleagues who already have the app. They can also be added to a group automatically. The key drawback of the app is that it is mainly created to work on mobile devices, smart phones and tablets.