Google launched a stand-alone app for Google Hangouts this week. Available for iOS and Android, the app allows you to have an ongoing hangout with a group of friends for a few days, months, or even a year. Within a Hangout friends can send text messages, photos, and can join together in a video chat.
All of the interactions in a Hangout -- no matter what form they’re in -- stay in the same stream, allowing you to get quick access to the entire conversation later.
Highlight
Highlight added a number of custom high fives to its app this week. Previously, if you held your finger down on the high-five icon you could access several unique high-five options, such as “Chest Bump” and “Head Nod.” Now certain users can take that a step further with custom high-five options.
Facebook employees, for instance, can now “Poke” each other, and Google employees can “Google” each other. If your significant other is nearby, you can send him or her an “Air Kiss,” and if you’re near a Facebook "friend" you can get a little more violent with your greeting, sending him or her a punch in the face.
Google Play All Access
Google launched its own streaming music service this week. Rivaling services such as Spotify and Pandora, Google Play All Access gives users the ability to stream tunes they want, without having to own them. The app has a radio function for discovering new music, and can incorporate tracks you already own into its interface, letting you mix your music collection with Google's.
Airbnb For Android
Airbnb updated its Android app this week, adding a features that were already available in the iOS version of the app. Now Airbnb hosts can pre-approve individuals to book stays at their homes, send requests and ask for information from potential guests -- all from an Android phone or tablet. The updated version of the app also adds support for improved calendar management for hosts.
Stitcher Radio
Stitcher Radio has updated its iOS app with a new “Car Mode” that makes the app easier to control while driving. The simplified interface can be used in landscape and portrait mode, and can accessed by tapping the Stitcher logo at the top of any screen within the app.
Pinterest
Pinterest updated its Android app this week. Now Android users can get push notifications when someone comments, likes, or re-pins one of your pins. The update also added support for search and the ability to mention friends in comments.
