Google Hangouts Interface Changes

Introduction

IT will be enabling Google Hangouts for all biola.edu Google accounts. This change will bring several improvements to the Google chat system, and will add new ways to access it.

Reason for Change

IT is implementing this change for a few reasons:

1. Hangouts is "better". Google Hangouts has more features and functionality, and Google has committed to further improving the functionality of Hangouts for its Business users. IT wants to make sure that you have the best tools to do your job.
2. Google Talk is being phased out. Some time in June, Google will be shuttering the Google Talk service. We want to make sure that our users have time to get used to the new system before the old one goes away.

What to Expect

The changes in the interface will be limited to two areas:

• The Chat section of your Gmail inbox
• The Hangouts web application

Gmail Chat

If you have the Chat function enabled in your Biola Gmail account (which you probably do), the Chat panel will be displayed in the bottom-left corner of the page, directly below your Labels. The Chat panel will not change location when Hangouts is enabled, but the interface will change slightly.

Here are the differences:

• In the Top bar, you will see your name next to your user avatar/image, and instead of the non-functional "call" button, you'll see the "+" button to start a new conversation. Hangouts also removes the unneeded Search field.
• The center section will show either your Contacts, Conversations, or Calls, depending on which button is selected in the Button bar
• The Button bar now has three buttons instead of one, to toggle between the Contacts, Conversations, and Calls views.

Google Hangouts Web App

Once Hangouts has been enabled on your account, you will be able to use the Google Hangouts stand-alone web application, which is unavailable to Google Talk users:

Questions?

Have questions or concerns about the new system? Please feel free to contact the IT Helpdesk at it.helpdesk@biola.edu.