Google Hangouts allow users around the world to have group conversations, collaborate, and share many items with ease. There are several features contained in the Hangouts application, so follow this guide to make the most of it.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Part 1: Create a Hangout
Step 1. Log in to Google+
You need a Google account, like the one you use for Gmail. Google+ is a social networking site designed for those with a Google account.
Step 2. Find the Hangout tile
Hangouts can be found on the right side of the Google+ page. Here you will see a list of your recent Hangouts as well as recent email contacts.
Step 3. Create a new Hangout
Click the "+ New Hangout" field at the top of the Hangouts list. The list will change to show your contacts and Google+ circles. Check the box next to each person you want to add to the Hangout.
- Regardless of the platform you are using, clicking or choosing an existing contact or Hangout will open a chat window. If the other person is offline, they will receive a message every time they open a Hangout.
- You can also search for people and circles by typing their name, email address or phone number in the field at the top of the list.
Step 4. Choose the Hangout format
You have the option to start a video or text Hangout. You can change a text chat to a video chat at any time.
Method 2 of 5: Part 2: Chat with Google+ Hangouts
Step 1. Add an emoji to your conversation
If you click or choose the smiley face to the left of the chat box, a list of emoticons and emojis you can use will open. These are divided into categories which you can access by selecting the icons at the top of the emoticon box.
Step 2. Share images
You can add images to your Hangout by clicking the camera icon to the right of the chat box. This will open the Image Selection window on a computer, or an option menu on a mobile device.
You can use your webcam or phone camera and share them, or you can add other image sources, such as your computer or phone memory
Step 3. Change your chat settings
If you are using a computer, click on the gear icon in the chat window to customize the archives. You can also block the person you are chatting with.
If you are using a mobile device, press the menu button and select your preferences in the menu that will appear
Step 4. Turn chat into video chat
Click the camera button at the top of the chat box. The interlocutor will receive a notice that warns him that you are trying to start a video chat. You can video chat both on your computer and on mobile devices.
Video chats do not require both users to have a video camera. You can video chat with a video camera on one side and a microphone on the other, or with a video camera and text
Method 3 of 5: Part 2: Start a Hangout Conference
Step 1. Open the Google+ site
In the lower right corner of the window there is a link to create a Hangout conference. This is a group that can include up to 10 people who video chat. A Hangout conference allows participants to connect via video and text. You can share YouTube videos and collaborate on documents.
Mobile device users can join a Hangout conference, however they have limited access to advanced features, such as YouTube video and Google Docs integration
Step 2. Describe the conference and invite people
Once you start the Hangout, you will be asked to enter a description and add people to the guest list. The description entered will be sent in the invitation.
You can limit the call to those who are 18 or older
Step 3. Start chatting
If your webcam is set up correctly, you can start chatting right away. The panel at the bottom of the Hangout window shows all logged in users. The panel on the right hosts the chat text, click the Chat icon on the left side of the window.
Step 4. Capture the images
If there is something on the display that you want to save and remember, click the Capture button in the menu on the left. A Camera icon will appear at the bottom of the window, and a screenshot of the screen will be taken when you click it.
Step 5. Share YouTube videos
Click the YouTube button in the left menu to launch the Hangout app. You can add videos to the Hangout playlist, and the videos will be played for everyone at the same time. Click the blue “Add videos to playlist” button to search for YouTube videos to add.
- Videos are projected in the main Hangout panel. Anyone in the group can edit the playback and skip a video.
- The microphone is muted during video playback. Click the green “Push to talk” button to say something during the screening.
Step 6. Show your screen
You can use Hangouts to share an image of your screen. Click the Screenshare button in the left menu. A window will open with a list of all open windows and programs. You can share a specific window or all screen content.
This can be useful when trying to troubleshoot a program with someone with more experience, or when you want to share something in another program with anyone in the chat
Step 7. Add effects to the projection
Click the Google Effects button in the left menu. The Effects menu will open to the right of the window, overlapping the Chat box. You can drag and drop effects on the video chat projection to add hats, glasses, and other fun stuff.
- Click the arrows at the top of the Effects window to change categories.
- To remove the effects you added, click the “x Remove all effects” link at the bottom of the Effects menu.
Step 8. Collaborate on documents
You can add Google Drive documents to your Hangout so that all members can work on the same document. To open Google Drive, hover your mouse over the “…” button in the left menu. Click the "Add apps" button. A list of available apps will appear. Select Google Drive.
- When you click the Google Drive button in the menu, a list with all your Google Drive documents will appear. You can choose which document to share, or create a shared notebook or sketchbook.
- When sharing documents, you will need to share your email address. Your confirmation is needed to continue.
Step 9. Turn off the microphone or camera
To do this, click the appropriate button at the top of the menu on the right. The icon will appear as a microphone crossed by a bar. When the microphone is off, the icon turns red.
To turn off the camera, click on the camera with a bar across it. This will turn it off. People will still be able to hear you, however, if you don't turn off the microphone
Step 10. Fine-tune your bandwidth settings
If the transmission does not go smoothly, reduce the band settings by clicking on the buttons that look like signal symbols at the top of the menu on the right. This will open an adjustment knob with which you can fine-tune the quality of the Hangout. Lowering the knob degrades the transmission quality. If you move it all the way to the right, only you will hear the Hangout audio.
Step 11. Fine-tune your camera and microphone settings
Click the Gear icon in the menu at the top right to open the settings mask. A window will appear with a small image of the camera's power supply. Here you can select the devices you want to use. This is useful if your computer has more than one camera and microphone.
Step 12. Leave the Hangout
When you are finished chatting, click the Exit button in the upper right corner of the window. The icon looks like a phone hung up.
Method 4 of 5: Part 3: Broadcast Your Hangout
Step 1. Visit the Hangouts site
Public Hangouts are accessible from a website other than Google+. The Hangouts site displays the current public Hangouts being broadcast, as well as the standard Hangouts bar.
You can find a link for public Hangouts in the menu to the left of your Google+ home page
Step 2. Click “Start a Hangout On Air”
A screen similar to that of a normal Hangout conference appears. Make sure you give your Hangout a catchy name to attract visitors, then invite the people you want to join you.
A public Hangout will broadcast your Hangout to anyone who wants to see. No one other than the people you invited can be added, however, everyone can see the screen and listen. Basically, your Hangout is recorded as a YouTube video, allowing anyone to see and hear
Step 3. Get organized
Once you've gathered all the people on the channel, start broadcasting. Make sure you have all your notes in place if you are going to give a lecture. When you are ready, click the “Start broadcast” button. Your Hangout will now be visible to the public.
Step 4. Pick up your guests
The creator of a public Hangout must have the ability to make each guest who has joined the Hangout center of interest. By clicking on the image of a guest, his device will become the main image, and clicking on the video camera icon on his image will disable his audio and video device.
Method 5 of 5: Part 4: Access Hangouts with Mobile
Step 1. Download the app
Open the Google Play Store on your Android device or iOS device and search for Hangouts. The app can be downloaded for free.
Many Android devices have Hangouts pre-installed. These replace the old Talk application
Step 2. Run the app
When the app is loaded for the first time, you will be prompted to log into your Google account. Android users will be able to choose the account to be associated with their device; iOS users will need to type in their Google username and password.
When the app opens, you will be able to see a list of your recent Hangouts
Step 3. Swipe left to create a new hangout
Add contacts from your address book or search for other people by name and phone number.
Advice
- To create a hangout with a fixed URL to facilitate access, create the hangout through the Google calendar. Click on the link that says "add a video call". Once you have added the video call option and saved, the URL embedded in the "subscribe to a video call" link will become a permanent link. You can copy and paste this address in the notes field of the calendar to facilitate access.
- Install the Chrome extension if you don't want to open Google+ to access your Hangouts. The Hangouts extension is currently only available in Google Chrome. Once installed you will see a Hangouts icon in your system status area. Click it to open the Hangouts list. You can start a new hangout by clicking on the “+ New Hangout” field.
