Google is bringing arrayof new features and updates to Hangouts on Android. The latest 2.1 update merges SMS and Hangouts conversation with the same person. This essentially means that a user does not have to switch back and forth between texts messages and instant messages (IM). Google also supports unmerging of conversations, which is useful for those users who wish to keep them separate.
In addition to the above, Google is also revamping the contact list by dividing it two categories viz,People you Hangout With and Phone Contacts.
Moreover, Hangouts 2.1 is also getting a homescreen widget that lets users quickly access their recent conversations. Finally Google has also added performance improvements dealing with better quality voice calls and improved reliability around SMS and MMS messaging. All the aforementioned updates are expected to roll out Google Play Store later this week.
Google officially announced Hangouts for iOS and Android I/O conference last year since then it has received a number of updates. In February this year Hangouts 2.0 for iPhone and iPad added new UI, stickers and more.