System Requirement for Hangouts
Hangouts is compatible with the current versions and the two previous versions of the operating systems listed here:
Windows Mac OS X Chrome Ubuntu and other Linux distributions
Compatible browsers are the current releases of the browsers listed below and one previous release:
ChromeFirefoxSafariMicrosoft Edge
The first time you start a video call on your computer, you have to grant Hangouts the right to use your camera and microphone. You need to download and install the Hangouts plugin on any browser other than Chrome.
Other Requirements
You need the following to make calls in Google Hangouts:
A Google account. You already have one if you use Gmail.Devices for hearing and speaking if you are using a computer without a camera and microphone—a headset with a mic, most likely.A good broadband connection. The ideal speed is between 3.2 and 4.0 Mbps (or faster) depending on the number of participants.
Starting a Video Call
From Hangouts, you can connect with up to nine other people at a time for a video call, which is perfect for contacting family groups, co-workers, and friends. You can contact any of your Gmail contacts, which are automatically imported to Hangouts when you sign up. If you’re an Android user and are logged in as a Google user on your mobile device, your phone contacts are saved and synced with your Google account. When you’re ready to make your first voice or video call:
Text and Voice Calling
Text chatting is the default in Hangouts or Gmail. Select the name of a person in the left panel to open a chat window, which works just like any other chat window. To place a voice call instead of a text, select a person’s name in the contacts list in the left panel and click the upright phone receiver to start the call.
What It Costs
Hangouts voice and video calls are free, provided you are communicating with a person who is also using Google Hangouts. This way the call is fully internet-based. You can also call landline and mobile numbers and pay VoIP rates. You use Google Voice for this. The rate per minute for the calls is much lower than for cellular or landline calls. For example, calls to the United States and Canada are free when they originate from the U.S. and Canada. From elsewhere, they’re charged as little as one cent per minute. There are a handful of destinations that cost one cent per minute, others two cents, while others have higher rates. You can check Google Voice rates online.
