Moving the Google+ Hangouts API out of preview
By Amit Fulay, Product Manager, Google+ Hangouts
Cross-posted from the Google+
Developers Blog
One of the most important ways we connect with others is in person. That's why we're so
excited about Google+ Hangouts, and why we
launched a preview of the Hangouts API a few months ago. Today
we're moving this API out of preview, and enabling developers to launch and share their
hangout apps with the entire Google+ community!
Hangout apps are regular web apps, running in a big window inside the Hangout UI. In addition
to using shared-state APIs to give users real-time interactivity, you also have access to
built-in Hangout features, such as:
- Initiate a group video chat with up to 10 people
- Control hangout microphones, cameras, speakers and volume
levels
- Add sound effects and attach image overlays to faces
- Set UI elements such as the video feed, chat pane, and notifications
It’s easy to get started: read the
documentation,
build and
publish your app, and then let users know. You can easily get the word out in one of
two ways: 1) post a link to it on Google+, and/or 2) add the new
hangout
button to your website. In either case, anyone who clicks will start a new hangout
with your app running inside. It then appears in the “Recent” apps pane for future
hangouts.
To get the ball rolling, we're introducing a new "Apps" pane in Google+ Hangouts, as well as
some featured applications, including
Aces Hangout,
Cacoo,
Scoot & Doodle,
Slideshare, Clubhouse Challenge by
Bravo, and Google Effects. We’re looking forward to seeing what you can dream up in
the weeks and months ahead.
Follow the conversation on
Google+,
and happy building!
Amit
Fulay is Product Manager for Google+ Hangouts.
Posted by Scott Knaster,
Editor
