Google has update its Hangouts app, adding the much desired status availability feature. Meaning, the updated Hangouts app finally shows who is online.
The update shows only as to who is online, but also as to who is reachable on Hangouts. Green icons show that people are online while grey ones indicate they are not.
In addition to this, Google has made it easier to browse through your contacts while starting a Hangout and better access to invite people to Hangouts. Contacts are now organised by People you Hangout with, Suggested People, and Other Contacts. There are also options to hide contacts in the new Hangouts screen and users can pinch-to-zoom photos.
The new Hangouts update can be downloaded from Google Play. It is not yet clear as to when Google would be providing the update for Hangouts users on iOS platform.
The update, however does not include SMS or Google Voice integration.