14 DAY TRIAL // Hangouts 4.0 hit iOS a few weeks ago, but unfortunately Android users didn’t receive the update at the same time. However, the good news now is that the new version will be headed out to Android soon, but even so, you might still be curious about why the delay happened in the first place.
According to the folks at Phandroid, there’s a good reason why Hangouts 4.0 will reach Android users a bit later: the update is going to be a major one.
For iOS, it brought about a complete design overhaul and the fun-loving Stickers. Android users should expect to see the same novelties, plus one exclusive feature. Apparently, several folks have already gotten their hands on a beta version of the application and they report that Hangouts 4.0 brings about the possibility to initiate chat from your Android Wear smartwatch.
Until now, users of Android Wear gadgetry have been able to reply to messages in different chat programs via the voice input or drawing an emoji. Hangouts will also join in this crowd, it seems.
Steps to send a message in Hangouts using your Android Wear smartwatch
The report explains that starting a message within in the app will be achieved via “OK Google” using the “Send a Hangout message to [X]” command. Then a message will pop up on your screen asking you whether you wish to compose the message via speech-to-text or by drawing an emoji.
After you’re done with the message, you’ll get a confirmation screen alerting you that the message is on its way.
The feature might come in handy for users who don’t want to pull the smartphone out of their pocket in order to send a text via Hangouts. On the other hand, it’s still pretty creepy to see someone talking to their wrist while they are out for a stroll in the park, but the acceptance levels are growing.
The Android app is currently being internally tested, so there’s no APK available for you to download for the time being. As for the launch date, we currently don’t know when it’s going to happen, but we hope “soon” is the operative word.
