If you’re one of the millions of people using Google+, the search engine giant’s attempt to conquer the social networking industry, you’re probably familiar with the service’s ‘Hangout’ feature. Google’s platform allows you to create a video hangout from your computer or join a session via your mobile phone to catch up, watch YouTube videos together, or swap stories with up to 9 of your friends at once.

Unfortunately, native support for Hangouts isn’t all that great. Most (if not all) times, I rarely see any hangouts available to join, and the only time I do is when I happen to catch them coming down that 150-mph waterfall Google has so appropriately named my “Stream”. I’ve lost track at this point, but with as many people as I have in my circles, it’s hard to catch anything in that main steam (thank God for Circle organization).

Well, I’ve stumbled across a nifty little Chrome extension that takes all the pain out of trying to find a Hangout. It’s called Hangout Canopy, and it’s a real treat if you’re into jumping into random Hangouts and meeting new people. After all, that’s what social is all about, right?

With Hangout Canopy installed, you can see any Hangouts that are available by clicking on the extension in the top right-hand corner of your Chrome browser. Hangout Canopy will also list non-public hangouts from your Circles, giving you a ton of options for places to go, provided you’re following people who take part in Hangouts obviously.

If you’d like to give Hangout Canopy a try, head on over to the extension’s page in the Chrome Web Store for more details and the small installation file. While I’m already here and on the subject, I might as well shamelessly plug myself by giving you a link to my Google+ profile, so you can add me to your Circles — go ahead now, you know you want to.

Share This Article....

About the Author

Tony Simons

Android addict would be the two words I would use to describe myself. It’s the first thing I check in the morning, and the last thing I check before bed. I’m 30 years old, my first Android phone was the G1, shortly after its launch. I have also owned a myTouch 3G, and I have a myTouch 4G, which I am absolutely in love with. Other than Android, I’m a father, brother, college student, and almost-full-time employee at a local brewery/restaurant here in the cornfields of Iowa. If there’s anything you’d like to know, please feel free to hit me up. I’m a pretty nice guy, and I respond as quickly as I can. Thanks for stopping by!

More articles by Tony Simons+ »