Google has just rolled out a new update to its Hangouts app, making the latest version number 2.1. Significant changes can be expected from the new version and the company aims to make SMS a lot easier to use as well as adding several other new features.

Important changes include merged SMS and Hangouts conversations from the same recipient. Users can choose whether they want to send a message using SMS or Hangouts by switching between them and various types of messages are made easier to tell apart within the conversation. If a user no longer wants the two to be merged they can always unmerge. This change is said to be the main highlight of this new update. There is also a feature that highlights outgoing Hangout messages.

A more simplified contacts list will also be added and now there will be two main sections for people you hangout with and phone contacts. This makes navigation easier and simpler. Other changes also include the new sound of the notification and more prominent statuses such as moods, on call, etc. Tones for voice and video are also different. The main things that stand out are the ease of use provided by the improved quality of video calls, SMS and MMS. They can also include the Hangouts widget into their home screen for easy access. Lastly, to save media files, all one has to do is a long press on the file.

The APK upgrades the existing app of users as well. It is guaranteed to be a safe install because of Google's new cryptographic signature. It is available for download in the Play Store next week. It should not be very difficult to install because the entire downloading process is the same as that of other APK apps. With Google making the official announcement, changes and new features rumored before now are being confirmed by the company.