Google upgrades GMail video chat with hangouts

Gmail users who have gotten used to the video chat feature may have to say goodbye to it soon, to make way for an upgrade: Google+ Hangouts.

 

Product manager Fred Brewin said the Google+ Hangouts is a more modern video calling technology than the peer-to-peer-based video chat.

 

"Unlike the old video chat, which was based on peer-to-peer technology, Hangouts utilize the power of Google’s network to deliver higher reliability and enhanced quality," Brewin said in a blog post.

 

He added users can chat with all the same people they did before.

 

But he said what's better now is that one can reach his or her Gmail chat contacts not only if they are using Gmail - but also if they are on Google+ in the browser or on their Android or iOS devices.

 

Google+ users will get even more from the new Hangouts experience, he added.

 

"You'll be able to video chat with up to nine people at once, watch YouTube videos together, collaborate on Google documents and share your screen," he said.

 

Brewin said Google will be rolling out Hangouts in Gmail gradually over the coming weeks. — TJD, GMA News