14 DAY TRIAL // Google has introduced some cool features for Hangouts, making it a lot easier to use while at work. The service now has support for the Global Address List, a new settings screen and more support. The features are available for companies that use Google Apps.
With the new extensions that follow the one from last month that enabled full-screen video chat capability, employees should have a much easier life working with the tool.
For instance, Global Address List lets them choose anyone in the organization, while recent discussions will appear at the top of the Hangouts list. Typing in just a few letters of someone’s name will also display a list of people that you are likely looking for.
“With the addition of support for the Global Address List, it'll now be easier to quickly find and chat with your colleagues. The conversations you've recently had will still sit at the top of your Hangouts list, but start typing the name of anybody in your organization and auto-complete will help you find who you’re looking for,” explains Google’s Ronald Ho, product manager for Google Apps for Business.
The Settings area has also been revamped. Administrators can now control exactly what features employees are allowed to handle themselves. This means that Hangouts can get limited to individuals inside the company, or they can allow people to communicate with outside people as well. The video and audio chat features can also be controlled in the same way.
Google Apps users will now get 24/7 support from Google, which means issues will get resolved a lot faster.
The new updates indicate that Google is serious about expanding its business tools, but also to offering people that are in constant need of reliable communication systems a way to get what they need in the easiest way possible.