Will Google Hangout replace Skype??

Question

I have been looking at Google's Hangout and it seems you can do group video on it among other things.

With Skpe they allow one party video but if you want groups they charge for it.

What do you see as Google's angle with this??

Joshua D. · Answer

Marty Boardman, Brandon Turner and I did a 3 person hangout last night and compared it with a 3 person skype call and there was NO CONTEST. Skype's audio quality was FAR superior over Google's.  That may change, but until it does, we'll be sticking with Skype.

Luciano Quadraccia · Answer

I have a cousin who cannot use skype video since its last update, as it no longer supports his webcamera. He can't even get a new camera, since they require USB2, and he has USB1, and he doesn't want to buy a new computer just for video calls. So, he suggested we switch to hangouts.

Unfortunately, there are a few problems with hangouts:

1: to receive a video call I must already be logged in to hangouts. With skype it is set up so that it logs in automatically when I switch on the computer - so I can receive a skype call anytime as long as the computer is on.

2: If I log into hangouts, and leave it on all day I have a security issue - anybody (albeit just family) can access all my gmail, etc. Further, if they want to use their own gmail, they (most likely) need to disconnect me first, so after they used the computer it is not possible for me to receive video calls.

3: I haven't got the "hang" of hangouts yet - and I find it incredibly complex simply to add a new contact so I can start a new video call.

So, if anybody can help me, great. In the meantime I see hangouts as being absolutely no threat to skype (as eventually all the old computers will die out).

Thanks

Joshua D. · Answer

Marc - I know many people who use hangouts and think they are great, BUT the quality doesn't compare, IMO.

Marc Bodinger · Answer

I agree with Joshua Dorkin, no one even talks about Google Hangout let alone use it. Skype is the main player especially with Microsoft funding their operations.

Linda B. · Answer

I think Skype has too large a following to be taken over by Hangout. I don't know many people that use that feature.

David Niles · Answer

Skype burned me in the early years and soured me, nothing big, just like 10 bucks worth of air credits, it was in their early years and  they had some fine print that if you didnt use your time within so many months it went from being airtime to credits for add ons....not sure what that was all about but dont care for being nickeled and dimed so never went back.  
I'll have to give Hangout a look.  The good ol Google gods strike again. lol

Will Google Hangout replace Skype??

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