<p>Not one to be left behind in the messaging space, Google on Wednesday unveiled its revamped take on Hangouts, cobbling together a number of the company's communication tools into one unified system.</p><p>Pretty straightforward stuff: You're able to chat with friends through five different types of Google properties Gmail, Google+, iOS and Android devices, and the Chrome browser.</p><p>Much like Facebook, WhatsApp, Path and the many, many other messaging services available today, you're able to send cutesy emoji smiley-face icons and photos, save your entire chat history between devices based on one (or more) people, and make video calls.</p><p>It's a logical progression for Google whose Gmail and Chrome properties have massive reach around the world and, frankly, it should have happened some time ago. Since Facebook revamped Messages three years ago, the social giant has threaded email, chat and texting into one unified history, and has recently added emojis, as well.</p><p><a href="http://allthingsd.com/20130515/with-revamped-hangouts-google-aims-to-unify-messaging/">Keep reading...</a></p>