Google Hangouts Chrome app updated; brings in redesigned interface, OS X optimisation

Google has launched a new version of its Hangouts messenger app on the Chrome Store with new features including Mac OS X optimisation. It adopts a brand new look as it is based on the company’s signature Material Design. Few would say that it resembles to the Android and iOS versions of Hangouts.

The most prominent change to Hangouts is to its standard chat layout. Contacts will now appear on the left side with the chat window towards the right. Mayur Kamat, Google Hangouts Product Manager informed users that the new version for Hangouts Chrome App was out and advised users, specially with Mac OS X, to give it a try. Users can also try out some new features on Chrome OS, Linux and Windows as well. If you are not on OS X, Kamat advises to switch off the ‘transparent mode’ before using the app.

Users who not receive the update can uninstall the software and reload it onto their device.

An next week’s Google I/O, the company is will reportedly unveil a new online photo-sharing service which will not be a part of the Google+ network. The new service will allow users to post images to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This news doesn’t come as a surprise as an earlier report had pointed out that Google+ was to split into Photos and Streams.