Apps are a Plus in Hangouts

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 | 1:06 PM

We’ve seen Google+ Hangouts being used in the most creative and innovative ways, connecting fans, facilitating debates, and making a difference in people’s lives.

Three months ago, we launched the Google+ Hangouts API, with the belief that developers can build even more memorable experiences and activities inside the face-to-face-to-face setting of hangouts. The response so far has been exciting.

In the 90 days since we launched apps in hangouts, we’ve seen:

  • over 200 apps built for hangouts 
  • the average duration of a hangout increase by 2.5 times when participants use an app 
  • 1 in every 3 hangouts use an app. 
Today, we are introducing a new set of featured apps built by developers around the world that provide fun and entertaining activities for our users. 
  1. Google Art Project: Explore collections from around the world with thousands of artworks photographed in extremely high resolution. You can play an art guide and take your friends on a tour of different museums. 
  2. New YouTube App: Create, control, save and even share playlists of videos with friends—all inside a hangout. It’s like your own VIP table at the world’s coolest YouTube party. 
  3. New Effects App: One of the most popular hangout apps gets more fun with a brand new UI and with the introduction of new effects. 
  4. Symphonical: Conduct your business meetings and manage projects in real-time using the Symphonical app for hangouts. 
  5. MiniClip 8-ball Pool: Challenge friends to a game of pool with real-time stats tracking. 
  6. A Story Before Bed: Family hangouts just got better with this app. Pick a storybook from the shelf and read it to your loved ones. 
  7. Panoramio Game: Compete with friends to be the most precise wanderer by finding out where a photo was taken while traveling around the world with Google Maps through stunning Panoramio photos. If you are the best, you get to choose your next destination. 
  8. Cheer On: Root for your favorite sports team by customizing your video appearance in a hangout. With so many sporting events coming up this summer, this is one app you must have next time you are in a hangout.
We are still in the early days of this real-time platform and can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Learn more about how you can get started building hangouts into your app.

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