January 27, 2016 - 16:45 AMT
Google Hangouts for Android updated with quick reply feature

Version 7.0 of Google Hangouts now lets users quick reply to incoming messages straight from their notifications, the Verge reported Wednesday, January 27.

The message pops up, you hit reply, and type a response without having to go to the app. It's a feature that's been available on iOS and Messenger for a few months now, so it's good to finally have it on Android too.

The update to Hangouts also includes the ability to add shortcuts for specific conversations to the home screen, and comes with a new pop-up that advises users to switch to Google's Messenger as their default SMS app. Although plenty of people prefer Messenger's smooth design to their default texting app, it's still quite annoying for the company to push it in this way, and it perhaps gives credence to the rumor that Google might phase out SMS and MMS support on Hangouts.