Rumor is, Google Hangouts, the instant messaging app which replaced Google Chat and Google+ messenger is now set to make its exit from the vast world of chatting platforms. Here’s how the scene unfolded:
A Brief History
It was 2005 when Google started the messaging app Google Chat or Google Talk which was soon followed by Google+ messenger. Google chat platform was one of the first widely appreciated instant messaging apps and it helped put away the troubles of SMSing. Soon enough, other prominent apps like Facebook and Whatsapp gained more popularity, and Google chat platforms took a backseat. Hangouts, a mobile app similar to the aforementioned apps, was introduced in 2013 replacing all the other chat platforms.
Hangouts Classic to shut down in 2020?
According to a report published by 9to5Google, the Hangouts app, which was already losing popularity, will shut down sometime in 2020. Signs that the journey of Hangouts has come to an end showed when Google stopped updating the app from about a year ago.
The article quotes, ‘According to a source familiar with the product’s internal roadmap, Google Hangouts for consumers will be shutting down sometime in 2020. That’s not surprising at all since Google essentially ceased development on the app more than a year ago.’
On the other hand, Scott Johnson, Director of Product Management at Google, slammed the news saying that the faithful fans of Hangouts will be upgraded to Hangouts Chat (team communication app) and Hangouts meet (video meetings platform). He further went on to explain in his tweet that Hangouts Classic, that is the current Hangouts app, is being shut down but users will be ‘migrated’ to Chat and Meet.
Scott tweeted:
Future of Hangouts
Does this mean Hangouts will not be available for us to use after 2020? Absolutely not. Although Google has stopped updating the app, Hangouts users will soon be able to access their favorite app as it will be integrated into Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. As of now, these two apps are being used exclusively by G Suite Customers, but Google intends to shut down Hangouts classic only after the successful migration of customers to Hangouts Chat and Meet.
How will we be affected?
Hangouts is truly a great app for people without cell phones and sim cards. But presently, there is hardly anyone without cell phones and sim cards, therefore, making the app quite unnecessary. Also, the loyal users of Hangouts will still be able to use the app, but the transition date is not yet confirmed.
