How to Use Google Hangouts

Google has recently made a really big push to turn Hangouts into a viable video conferencing solution for all Google Apps customers. As of July 30, Hangouts is now a Core Google App, which means the service is governed by a contract between the University of California and Google, just like Email, Calendar, Drive, Groups, and Sites.

• With Hangouts you can video conference with up to 15 other people and chat face-to-face using a computer, Android phone or tablet, iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

• You can host a virtual meeting. Google Hangouts allow you to share screens and collaborate on Google Docs in real-time, right within the Hangout.

• Google Hangouts can be recorded as a video and archived for distribution to others with Hangouts On Air through YouTube.

Hangouts can be used for nearly any sort of video conferencing situation, whether its internally or externally. You can easily access Hangouts from your UCSC Google account - you don't have to have a Google+ account to participate.

Hangouts lets you send messages, photos, and video conference with anyone with a Google account. You can start a Hangout from Gmail, Calendar meeting, Google+, your Android or iOS device, or with the Chrome extension.

Learn How to Start a Hangout: http://its.ucsc.edu/google/hangouts.html

Posted by: Lisa Bono