Google’s messaging service GTalk will be replaced with Hangouts on June 26, the company has announced. Hangouts, which offers enhanced features such as group video calling and integration with other Google products, will in turn evolve into Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat.
The transition to Hangouts began in 2013. The incorporation of Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat will improve communication, particularly with meetings and team collaborations, the statement said.
Launched in 2005, Google Talk or G-chat – as it was informally known – provided an inbuilt and simple chat feature for Gmail users. GTalk users will initially receive a prompt to use Hangouts instead. After June 26, their accounts will automatically be transitioned to Hangouts, unless contractual commitments apply.
Google also offers other messaging services, including Allo, Duo, Android Messages, and Google Voice.
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