14 DAY TRIAL // If you have been a user of Google’s popular messenger service Gtalk and you relied upon it, we have some bad news for you.
According to a report from Filepost, Google is preparing to shut down Google Talk, in an effort to stir users towards its newer platform called Hangouts.
So far, users have been allowed to choose which app they wanted to use, but in a few days this won’t be the case anymore.
Gtalk is on its way to the grave yard
The change isn't such a big surprise, since the Gtalk app wasn't available for download from Google anymore. The transition started last year when users looking to grab Gtalk got redirected to Google Hangouts instead.
There are millions of Gtalk users worldwide, who will not have to adjust to the idea of using Hangouts, a service that hasn't proved to be particularly popular. But even if they don’t like it, users will be forced to make a transition one way or another.
Users loved Gtalk because of its simplistic and intuitive user interface that agreed with both novice users and tech-savvy ones.
But with increased competition from Facebook and WhatsApp, Google had to do something to maintain itself in people’s messaging preferences, so it tried blending messaging, calling and video connecting features into one app and one app alone.
Google has highlighted that the soon-to-be-defunct IM service will be replaced by the Hangouts app, which can be used only via the Chrome app browser.
Hangouts will be Google's new messaging platform
As we mentioned above, the Hangouts comes in-built with Google app such as Gmail, Google+ and is available as a desktop extension as well as a mobile app.
It also comes equipped with Gtalk-reminiscent features such as video calling, conferencing, video calling and bundled things like entertainment apps, stickers and so on.
With taking Gtalk out of the picture, Google is hoping to push Hangouts more into the spotlight in an effort to make it a more active competitor against popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp, which is a favorite among many especially in the online world.
So are you ready to say good-bye to Gtalk and move on to Hangouts or will go on to find another way to message?
