For some years now Skype has been the reigning champion of video calling. There have been some attempts at upstarts, most notably Oovoo, Tango and Vmeo, but they have repeatedly fallen by the wayside, while Skype has remained on top of the heap. It has rendered the various messenger video services (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) virtually obsolete. Sure, there’s Apple’s Facetime, but that has yet to strike a cord. However, the era of Skype could be at an end. Welcome to the advent of Google’s latest creation, “Hangouts.†With crisper video quality and extra goodies such as sound effects, Hangouts could supplant Skype. However, it is definitely not a perfected system. Let’s go over some basic areas.
Video/Audio Quality: Obviously this is a key. If the video and audio are not up to scratch, then any peripherals are simply pointless. However, in both cases, the quality of the video and audio are fairly solid. However, Hangouts edges out. Even when the people in the hang out have an ocean between them, the video is far more crisp than anything Skype has to offer. The same goes for the audio. While Skype is still solid, Hangouts has a definitive edge.
Winner: Hangouts
Contacts: Here is where Hangouts definitely falters. While the system is somewhat manageable, it is far from the level of user friendliness that Skype has. Skype is simple and put together. You add a friend, they go on your friends list to the side. Easy access and simple to pick up. Hangouts, on the other hand, is a veritable mess. Categories, not being easily found, there’s just a whole rigamarole involved with adding people to your contacts list in Hangouts.
Winner: Skype
Chat: Yes, although these services are primarily used as video calling, text chat is still important. In this, there really is not much of a difference. One big issue though, is that Hangouts does not give you a notification when you receive a message. However, this is really a minor gripe.
Winner: Draw
Extras: Now here is where Hangouts really shines. In short, Hangouts is chock full of them, while Skype is barren. Hangouts has sound effects, silly pictures to put on your video image, and even a Youtube feature. In short, Hangouts is loaded. Skype is pretty much just for video calling;Hangouts is like video calling combined with Paint.
Winner: Hangouts
Overall, Hangouts has the edge in both its pure video/audio quality, as well as in its novelty extras. While it does have big issues with both its contacts feature as well as its chat feature, it is definitely on its way to overtaking Skype. The only non-technical thing stopping it is the name value of Skype. It’s a trusted brand. It’s the Coca-Cola of video-calling services. However, Hangouts is still superior. Just give it time and good word of mouth, and the era of Skype will be over. No more bleeping and chirping, just a simple buzz.
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