[Tip] Receive All Messages In One App | Hangouts, Google Voice, SMS, MMS

  

+  SMS, MMS

    Hangouts, Google's answer to unifying all of their various messaging services/apps has been updated recently.  To date, it merges Google Talk and G+ Messenger into one app.  It's a great beginning to what will most probably become the defacto messaging app across multiple platforms including, but not limited to Android, Chrome, and Apple's iOS.  

    Although it doesn't support SMS at the moment, there is a workaround to receive Hangouts messages as SMS when idle.  Below are instructions for setting this up as well as how to route your Google Voice messages to the same app as well, if you are one of the many Google Voice users like me.

How To Route All Messages To One Place

1. On your device, open the Google Voice app > Settings > Sync and Notifications > Receive text messages: (choose Messaging App).
2. Next, go HERE 
3. Look for SMS for Hangouts > Edit Settings > Enter your standard carrier phone # and hit SAVE.  (Don't worry about the country drop-down box above the phone number field; it doesn't show USA, but it works regardless.)
4. On your device, you should be able to receive all your text messages from carrier number, Google Voice number, and Hangouts as well as MMS from both carrier # and Hangouts.  Remember, Google Voice still doesn't support MMS at this time (5/17/2013) unless you're on Sprint.
5. (Optional)  Add the Messaging widget to one of your homescreens.  From here, you'll be able to view your messages at a glance, scroll through them, place a phone call, and even attach a file.

This is confirmed to work, although messages sent from the Messaging app on Android didn't always appear correctly on the iOS Hangouts app.  Not sure why, but be aware of this glitch up front.  

Be sure to comment and +1 this post.  Thanks guys!

Edit:  Don't want to route Hangouts messages to the Messaging app?  Simply substitute your carrier number with your Google Voice number in Step 3.  Be advised, by doing this, you will not be able to send MMS, as GV doesn't currently support MMS unless you are on Sprint.
Also, remember that this is merely a workaround until Google fully implements everything.  So do the above at your own risk or sit tight & wait it out.  Either way, at least they're working on it now;-)
-Dan

UPDATE:  As Google has integrated SMS into Hangouts, the link in Step 2 no longer available.  It links to a page that cannot be found.  
This is a good thing, however, as it means this work around is no longer needed=D

Complete Guide to Using Google+

If you're one of the early adopters of Google+ then this is right up your alley.
If you're not on Google+ yet, but are curious about it- this may give you a better idea what it's about & how it can be used.

I'm on Google+ ( follow me here ) & I really like it.  I can really see the potential in it.  It's going to really take off & expand once aggregate services like Tweetdeck get on board, allowing you to post directly to G+ & when Google opens it up to the public.
Right now, in order to post onto it from my phone, I must tap the app/widget & post onto it separately before or after I post on Tweetdeck to all my other social network accounts.  However, since I've been using Google+, I don't really spend much time at all on fb anymore.  I've noticed my visits to fb have decreased, as has the amount of time each visit.

Clicking the link below will take you to the guide on Mashable.  Enjoy;)

Via Mashable-

Google+: The Complete Guide

Get A Custom URL For Your Google+ Profile

It's getting even more interesting in the magical land of Google+. A new site has emerged called Gplus.to that allows you create a custom URL for your Google+ profile, making it easier than ever (all 2 weeks) to hook up with your friends on the rapidly growing social network.
I've personally tried it out & it works. It will look like this: gplus.to/username when complete.
And, as always...ENJOY;)

How to Download Your Info From Facebook

Since Facebook's trying to block every attempt at exporting your own data uploaded onto the site, some folks are using the Download Your Information feature in order to export to other social networking sites (clears throat) "Google+... ahem...".
This is a fairly simple process but requires that you navigate facebook's myriad of settings menues (yawn) to get there.  Below is a tutorial on how to do this.  Enjoy;)

How To Invite People To Google+

Hey guys, so by now you may or may not have gotten an invite to the elusive Google+ (pronounced Google Plus) & if so, then you're probably wondering how to get more out of it.  Just merely having access to this magical place isn't enough; it's a social network, right? So, let's drag some of our friends, family, co-workers, enemies, haters, clowns, cats, dogs, etc. into the fold along with us so that we can enhance our all important, social networking lives!
Currently, Google+ is in beta form & is on a "by invitation only" status.  Check out the video for step-by-step instructions on how to invite your friends to join.