Google Hangout is substantially more functional than gtalk. For example, my Class of 2017 group does 10-way hangouts most weeks to get to know each other, somet

Google Hangout is substantially more functional than gtalk. For example, my Class of 2017 group does 10-way hangouts most weeks to get to know each other, something which really wasn't possible with gtalk, which facilitates one-way calls between contacts. Hangouts provides a semi-private room that more people can join, and all sorts of silly things to like watching YouTube together. It's not a conspiracy to prevent you from using encryption. That's just absurd. If you need XMPP and OTR, run Openfire on a VM. I just deployed this internally at work and we love it.