Google Hangouts for iOS Gets Complete Redesign

Google Hangouts, Google's cross-platform messenger app, got a complete makeover as part of its update for iOS devices on Friday, The Verge reports.

Google Hangouts iOS 2.0 includes a sleek new look that better blends in with iOS 7, easier navigation, as well as other major improvements. The app's new redesign, which now features video and photo messages, was announced by Google Engineer Frank Petterson on his Google Plus page Friday morning.

According to Petterson, Hangouts 2.0 includes animated stickers that allow users to "express your mood." Petterson says users should think of stickers "as emoji, but even more awesome."

Other new features include video messaging that lets users record and send 10-second videos, as well as location sharing. The Verge reports that the app provides convenient shortcuts to users' contact list, favorite people to talk with, recent Hangouts and free voice calls over the Internet.

The update is also optimized for the iPad, allowing users to "enjoy big, beautiful video calls, and a two-paned conversation view," Petterson added. iPad users can take advantage of the video call option by dragging a video icon to the left in a current chat, according to The Verge.

The update comes on the heels of a fellow tech giant's own messaging upgrade. Last week, Facebook purchased WhatsApp for $19 billion. The five-year-old company is the most popular messaging app for smartphones, CNN Money reports.

It is also important to note that while Google has made changes to its Hangouts for iOS app, it has failed to bring an update for its own operating system; the Android.