Last night I was checking my Gmail when I received an instant message telling me I was invited to a "Hangout." I knew it was a feature of Google+, but I had never experienced it before so I clicked the link and there I was on my screen (via the webcam on my laptop) along with a live video of my husband who had invited me. Very much like Skype in that way, although the look and feel of it are quite different. Google+ Hangouts is more than just a way to video chat. In fact there are three main features: video chat, free video conferencing, and live broadcasting.
1) Video Chat - With the video chat feature, you can connect with up to nine people in your circles. The live video of each of those in the hangout line up at the bottom of your screen. You can have a group chat, turn yourself into a pirate, invite more people, share your computer screen, share and look at a Google doc, play games, complete art projects, and watch a YouTube video - all together.
2) Free Video Conferencing - Video conferencing is a great business tool, especially with it being free (for up to 10 people). If you have a presentation that you need to share with employees in different locations, you can use this feature with little effort. You can share a slide presentation, a Google Doc, and even create a diagram together. Very cool. If you have employees or clients that do not have access to a webcam, you can also include them by telephone for *FREE* in the US, and for low rates internationally.
3) Live Broadcasting - This feature is for those who want to stream their hangout live to the world. You can stream it on your Google+ profile, your website, and on YouTube. When the broadcast is done, it will be saved on YouTube and Google+. Pretty neat.
No comments:
Post a Comment