Google brings app shortcuts to its Hangouts app

Android Nougat 7.1, the newest version of Google’s operating system, comes with a bunch of nifty features that improve the user experience and offer a bit of fun. Some of these features are quite advanced, like the Google Assistant, while others are a lot simpler in nature. But despite their simplicity, they get the job done. Saving time by minimizing the number of taps one has to do to finish a certain task is still something most users will embrace with open arms.

A feature that falls into this category is App Shortcuts. And how does it work? Just long press an app icon and shortcuts for different tasks will pop-up. The feature is simple, easy to use, and quite efficient.

It’s already available on quite a few apps including the popular Evernote and Pocket Casts. And with the latest update, the feature found its way to the somewhat popular Hangouts.

In version 14 of Hangouts, now rolling out through the Play Store, Google’s messaging app offers three app shortcuts, which are pretty self-explanatory – Voice Call, Video Call, and Chat. If you are a heavy user, they will make your life just a tad bit easier. But in case you have multiple Google accounts, you will probably be annoyed by the fact that when pressing a shortcut an account has to be selected every time.

Note that you will need to be on Android 7.1, with Google Now launcher or Nova Launcher beta in order to use the app shortcuts.

The update also brings a minor reshuffling of the options in the overflow menu in conversation view.

Unlike Google Messenger, Hangouts doesn’t use App Shortcuts to give you quick access to recent contacts. Another feature that we wish we would’ve seen in this update is support for Android 7.1’s image keyboard, but hopefully, Google will sort this out soon. And when that happens, we’ll be sure to let you know.