I am still absolutely confused as what to use. I am still using hangouts, even though I was told it was shutting down twice now. Never was the 'replacement', if

I am still absolutely confused as what to use. I am still using hangouts, even though I was told it was shutting down twice now. Never was the 'replacement', if there even is one, suggested. Needless to say I will not be using google services for any important communication moving forward.