Nexus 5 hangouts update botched?

[Svetlana Novikov]

Nexus 5 - I got excited when they announced some updates like you can set a status, see when people last used the app, new design, stickers, video calls, and more... But the layout is still the same, my phone has been updated to the latest lollipop and so has the app, apparently. I have the option to send stickers and video call, but when I try it tells me to send them an invite to join hangouts! I know some of my contacts have hangouts and one person I've seen does have the new look. My family (whom all have nexus 5s) don't have these features either. Am I doing something wrong or is the update just not available to my device yet?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which version do you have? Mine (which I think is fully updated) is 2.5.83281670.

Keep in mind that using the actual Hangouts functionality to IM someone requires you to initiate it by sending an invitation. See this support page: https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3118240?hl=en&ref_topic=2944851. If you send a message to someone from the Hangouts app using SMS (i.e., not using the Hangouts functionality), then there is no invitation needed.

There was no significant overhaul of the interface--it's more or less the same as before.

The status that can be visible to others refers to whether you're on your phone, tablet, or computer. Open the Hangouts app, swipe in from the left, tap Settings, then your Google account, then Share Your Status. The options allow you to show which device you're on, and also to show when you're in a video or phone call.