14 DAY TRIAL // Google surprised many people two years ago, when it updated Hangouts for iOS with a feature designed for recording and sending video messages while the Android version was left hanging. Now it seems that the Mountain View-based company has finally decided to bring this functionality to its Android version of Hangouts as well.
The application will receive an update to version 11, which includes the video messaging feature, thus allowing users to record and send videos to their friends, according to Android Police. Apparently, the new version hasn't rolled out yet, but the APK reveals that the feature has been included in version 11.
The option can be activated by tapping on the camera button in a conversation. Next, users need to record videos with the phone's camera, confirm to send and then playback the video, but in a separate app. Videos seem to have a 2-minute limit on iOS, but Android devices will be able to send even longer recordings.
The video messaging feature won't exactly transform Hangouts into the most popular messaging application, but it will bring it closer to the functionality found on the iOS version.
Hangouts version 11 no longer has merged conversation option
In addition, version 11 of Android brings the removal of merged conversations in Hangouts. This means that users will still be able to send SMS and messages through the network, but they just won't be able to merge the two services found inside the application.
Now, users have a separate thread for Hangouts, SMS and Google Voice SMS, even if all messages have the same contact. Apparently, the reason Google decided to remove the option regards the fact that the feature caused user confusion and had low usage.
The previous version came with Direct Share on Hangouts for Android and iOS, thus allowing users to directly share content with Hangouts contacts they frequently interact with.
