Google launches web version of Hangouts chat app

Google has made a web version of its Hangouts chat application. The variant works full screen in the browser and requires a login with a Google account. It is the first time that Hangouts can be used on its own site.

Until now, Hangouts was usable within Google+ and Gmail, but never as a standalone chat service. The site shows chats and contacts with an “inspirational image” in the background, reports Google employee Jordanna Chord.

Hangouts has been available as a standalone app since its release and already functioned as a Chrome plugin. Although the site runs on the domain hangouts.google.com, all conversations take place via the long-established talkgadget.google.com. That goes for both chats and video calls. Moreover, the chat conversations themselves have not been given a new layout and are still located in a small window at the bottom right of the screen.