My Bright Idea #19 - November 28, 1014
Google Hangout (Google's messaging and video chatting app) should become more like a super version of iMessage, by managing all SMS, MMS, and Hangout messages, and have the video and audio sharing features added. Besides a possible rename to something like "Google Messaging" or "GMessage" the app should include the management of regular text messaging to gain more customer usage (if you look at iMessage's implementation, most iPhone users have it set-up). The Google messaging app should be available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as, in Chrome and desktop software. Again, this will increase customer usage.
The purpose for better integration on multiple platform is to add additional features for users already using Google's other apps. One example I imagined is a smart recognition feature that automatically creates suggested calendar events from the content of text messages. A text like, "Do you want to go see a movie tomorrow?" could create a possible calendar event for the user to review (similar to iMessage's manual ability to create calendar events from keywords like "today" or "tomorrow"). The event could be added to a "Suggested Events" section of the calendar app or be accessible right in the messaging app to confirm as a calendar event. Additionally, subsequent text that may include other information about the movie, such as which movie, the time and location, could be added to the "suggested calendar event". Friend(s) involved in the text (such as group texts or mentioned within) could automatically be added as suggested invitees. Once the event is confirmed, all invitees who choose to accept then have it added to their own calenders.
The messages could also (with permission granted by the user) be reviewed by Google's server to add related content suggestions like where a particular movie is playing or where tickets can be purchased.
Additionally, the Google Calendar App could be updated with other social features, such as, the option to share certain types of events with certain groups (say from your Google+ Circles). With a feature added to select particular calendar 'event types' in the creation of the event, a particular event could be shared with a select group(s). A "Social Events" calendar event, for example, could be shared with your "Friends Circle" so they know about upcoming movie nights or dinner parties. A "Work" calendar event could be shared with your "Coworkers Circle" so your daily schedule could be used for scheduling other work events or meetings.
Additional management of your Circles should also be added to the contacts in your Gmail, for easier access and modification. Or a Google Contacts/Address Book App and/or website should be created for managing all a user's contacts, groups, circles, etc. All features should have management capabilities from either the messaging app or the calendar app, with integration with all other Google Apps.
