The new Google+ Hangouts for Android will soon add SMS integration so users can store all of their conversations in one app.
As Droid-Life noticed, Dori Storbeck, community manager for Google+ Hangouts, confirmed that SMS integration will come to the app soon in a comment on a Google+ post. Storbeck said that SMS integration is one of the most requested features in the new Hangouts app.
Unfortunately, Storbeck did not offer a time frame as to when it will happen. The SMS integration will only come to Android users, as Apple doesn’t let iPhone users change their default SMS app.
Google Hangouts replaces Google Talk and comes to iPhone and Android.
With SMS integration in the app, Android users will have the chance to talk to their friends viaGoogle Hangouts or SMS in the same app. It’s useful for contacting those who aren’t always on Google+ Hangouts, or who just don’t use the service at all. The integration would simplify messaging for many users.
Integrating SMS means that users won’t have to use the messaging apps Samsung, HTC or LG build into their phone. Phone manufacturers replace the great stock Messages app with their own skinned app, which typically doesn’t look as nice as Google’s app. Hangouts will let users use Google’s beautiful design without having to root their phone.
Other apps already offer SMS integration, giving users a chance to replace the messaging app in their phone. Most notably Facebook Messenger offers SMS integration, putting SMS and Facebook messages in the same app. Facebook Messenger also lets users use Chat Heads for SMS conversations, something that Google Hangouts doesn’t offer.
Some users may not like having their friends heads floating at the edge of their phone’s screen, but it offers a unique way of messaging friends. Google+ Hangouts’ integration will likely just put SMS conversations in the same list as Hangout chats, making the user switch to the app to continue conversations.
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