Hangouts Desktop |link| -

Google killed the standalone Chrome App version in favor of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). This shift was part of Google’s broader strategy to sunset the old Hangouts brand and split the user base:

When Hangouts first launched, it was available as a browser-based application and a Chrome app. The desktop version quickly gained popularity due to its ease of use, simplicity, and integration with Google services such as Gmail and Google+. Key features included: hangouts desktop

It wasn't in the chat box. It was typed directly into the old "Search people" field at the top of the Hangouts sidebar—a field that had been inert for years. Google killed the standalone Chrome App version in

The migration rolled out in phases. It culminated on November 1, 2022, when Google officially shut down the Hangouts web app and redirected all remaining desktop traffic to its spiritual successor. The Modern Solution: Google Chat Desktop App Key features included: It wasn't in the chat box