Gchat Is Starting to Look Much More Like Google Hangouts

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Image: Mashable composite. iStock, zygotehasnobrain

By Samantha Murphy Kelly2014-05-13 15:48:02 UTC

Some Gmail users noticed a big change to the Gchat feature on Tuesday, which now looks like a lot more like Google's voice and video chat service, Hangouts.

The biggest visual update to Gchat is the inclusion of bubbled profile pictures next to each contact's name. These images are pulled in from the user's Google+ social network.

SEE ALSO: 10 Gchat Tricks and Tips for Power Users

Google has incrementally been making Gchat an extension of its Hangouts — and now, it closely resembles it, too.

Image: Lance Ulanoff, Mashable

The update comes just one day after screenshots of an alleged new web interface design for Gmail leaked online, revealing potential new features.

Among the additions is a "pin" feature would let you drag and highlight an email at the top of your inbox, a new collapsible Google+ Hangouts feature, more email filtering tabs (such as travel, purchases and finances) and a streamlined menu.

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Topics: Apps and Software, gchat, gmail, Mobile, Tech