Google releases updated Hangouts & Keyboard apps in Google Play

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Google has started rolling out the updated versions of the Google Keyboard and Hangouts apps. The updated apps can now be grabbed from Google Play. If you already have the apps installed, head over to your Play store device client to update them now, however as the update is a staged roll-out, it might take 24-48 hours for the updates to appear on your Android devices.

Coming to the individual app updates, Google Keyboard now comes with new layouts and space-aware gesture typing. Emojis are also present but they will only work on KitKat powered devices. Full change-log below:

Rationalized punctuation across different sizes (4″,7″ and 10″)
Inserted emoji entry point & layouts (KitKat or later)
Simplified mini-keyboard on full stop long press (revised long-press menus)
De-blued press states
Added space-aware gesture typing (you will not have to lift your finger while gesture typing – just go through the space bar)

Download Google Keyboard from Google Play

Talking about Hangouts now, as already announced by Google, the new version of Hangouts includes SMS/ MMS integration, animated GIFs and more. Full change-log below

SMS & MMS (Android 4.0+): Send/receive text messages with Hangouts! You can import your existing messages, quickly switch between SMS and Hangouts, and start group MMS conversations
Animated GIFs: send animated GIFs, cute kittens and all
Location: share a location in your conversations
Device, in-call, mood status: share what device you’re on, whether you’re on a call, or your current mood

Download Hangouts from Google Play