I'd like to build on +martin shervington bit of fun using G+ if you all would allow me to do so.

I've asked Google to consider a feature request which in plain English means changing their current software. The idea came from a fellow G+ fan +Krishna De who would like the Google+ watermark in hangouts to be customisable. This could be done in Google Apps for Business if enough people request it so this is where you all come in.

To gain support please quote Case: #04035605 Subject: Hangouts Logo personalization in the FEEDBACK area that is found in the Google+ navigation section on the left hand navigation menu.

This would really help business users of Google Apps as they can put their own BRAND in place of Google which is possible already, just not when using Hangouts.

So please help if you can  and Share this post to others and let's see if we can really use the power of social to effect a real change.

Thanks in advance and more details can be found below:-
 

Subject: RE: [#04035605] Hangouts Logo personalization [
ref:_00D00VNwG._50060Xxxqb:ref ]

Hello Dave,

Thanks again for the further clarification, the feature request has been
submitted to the relevant team, reviewed and accepted so all it rest on
now is a high enough demand, once that's there, the feature will be
included in one of the upcoming releases.

Please note that Google handles feature requests on a rolling basis.
Although the appropriate team is aware of this request, it's not possible
for us to provide updates for each individual customer on the status of
their request, nor guarantee its implementation. I recommend you check out
the Google Apps Blog at http://googleappsupdates.blogspot.com/ for updates
(you can sign up for email notifications on new features), or reference
the Help Forum to follow updated reports among users.

I'm happy that I was able to assist you Dave and I will go ahead and close
this case shortly, however, please feel free to re-open it in the next 30
days by replying to this message with any further case related queries you
may have and I will be more than happy to provide you with my further
support.

We aim to offer all of our customers an excellent support experience so,
with this in mind, please do not hesitate to contact the Enterprise
Support team in the future should you need to do so.

Sincerely,

Martin
Google Enterprise Support

--------------- Original Message ---------------
From: Dave Webster [dave@webster4us.com]
Sent: 3/13/2014 7:32 AM
To: esupport@google.com
Cc: ronnie@thehangouthelper.com
Subject: RE: [#04035605] Hangouts Logo personalization [
ref:_00D00VNwG._50060Xxxqb:ref ]

Hello Martin,

Good job and I have attached an example where this can be done within the
current supported customised branding when using Google Apps for Business.

Thanks and I will see if we can ask other users to support this feature
request.

Thanks and have a good weekend

Dave.

-----Original Message---
From: Martin [mailto:esupport@google.com]
Sent: 13 March 2014 07:22
To: dave@webster4us.com
Subject: [#04035605] Hangouts Logo personalization [
ref:_00D00VNwG._50060Xxxqb:ref ]

Hello Dave,

Thank you again for contacting Google Enterprise Support, it was a
pleasure speaking to you. I understand that you would like to allow the
option to change the Google+ Hangouts watermark as in the upper left
corner within the actual hangout itself (example
http://www.pdx.edu/psuonline/sites/www.pdx.edu.psuonline/files/hangouts10_ 0.png),
is that correct?

Can you please provide me with the following information:

- Feature Description: Customizable Google+ Hangouts 'during a hangout'
watermark which is currently reading: "Google+
- Current Functionality: Not Supported
- Desired Functionality: Customization and personalization by being able
to insert a company logo instead, replacing the Google branding within.
- Number of Users Impacted: Everyone
- The business/organization need for this feature to be implemented in
terms of impact on revenue, costs, or employee/student productivity:
The ability to personalize and customize all Google services by making
them less Google branded and more organization branded instead would most
certainly attract more customers and also improve the business / customer
relationship.

I took the liberty and tailored the above template for you, however, feel
free to edit any of the fields to your likes and I will be more than happy
to send a feature request to our developer team on your (and also my own)
behalf once you provide me with the above information, and please note
that this can be also done from within your Google Apps services clicking
the 'Send feedback' button located in the Help section or Settings section
of the relevant service in the future by yourself should you have any
further feature requests or ideas on how we could improve our services
even further.

I'm looking forward to your response Dave and please feel free to respond
with any Google Apps related queries you may have and I will happily offer
you my additional support.

Sincerely,

Martin
Google Enterprise Support

Now - Emergency Maintenance for Hangouts
Google+ Hangouts is currently undergoing emergency maintenance that is impacting starting of Hangouts on Air (including those launched from YouTube interface- "Quick" type).  Regular YouTube live events are not impacted- "Custom" type. 

Our engineers are working on it right now. We cannot provide an estimated resolution time at the moment, but we'll keep you informed.

#hangoutsonair
#hangouts

10 Fun Things to Do When Hangouts Are Down

If you're like me, and millions of people around the world, you rely on Google Hangouts for instant messaging, group texting, video calls and much more. However, from time to time, we are reminded that even our beloved technology isn't flawless.

It's during times like these where I try to think of ways that I can approach the situation with positivity and good humor. For that, I give you ten fun things to do when Google Hangouts are down:

10. Visit the zoo and ride a hippopotamus

9. Learn to play the guitar

8. Download, attempt to play and furiously uninstall some Flappy Bird clone

7. Read an ebook

6. Organize your desk

5. Make a telephone call

4. Refill the paper in the copy machine

3. Go to Starbucks

2. Get some work done

1. Share an original post on your favorite social media platform.