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Essay / Researching User Diversity and ICT Barriers in Google Hangouts
It's no secret that technology plays an imperative role in the daily functioning of our lives. In other words, technology has made our lives easier. We can call our friends, organize video conferences between company partners or meet colleagues with the flick of a finger. The world has come together through technology. We don't need to meet people for all the activities that are offered to us. We can do all of this virtually. Many businesses and businesses today rely on technology for virtual conferences. This not only saved them money, but also valuable time. Nowadays, many large and small businesses use applications or Internet browsers to organize meetings, virtual seminars or conferences. They know that time is precious. So, they organize virtual meetings or conferences from their home or office. This not only makes it easier to complete their business plan but also helps in completing the projects on time as a large number of participants are involved in finalizing the projects. Google Hangouts is mainly used by large businesses and businesses for various motives and purposes. Participants simply schedule the meeting and the meeting is done via virtual conferences or video chats. Participants do not need to be in the same room or in the same country to attend virtual conferences, seminars or meetings. Not to mention, they can move around the room while attending video conferences. This article aims to focus on user diversity and ICT barriers in Google Hangouts and the data method used based on the literature review of published articles, reviews and articles. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get an original essayFor the data collection method, I will interview hearing and visually impaired people by preparing different questionnaires and ask them what they think of using Google Hangouts and published in this article. For this method of data collection, I will consult and ask for help from my brother in my country who works as a senior advisor for people with disabilities and provide him with the questionnaire that I prepare. I will ask for their help in setting up a Google Hangouts call between me and the visually and hearing impaired. For this method of data collection, I might ask them to video call with me in Google Hangouts separately or in a group, and then publish the results in this article as well. ICT Barriers ICT barriers are simply defined as a barrier or problems when using technological equipment. . We use technological equipment to maintain quality of life on a daily basis. Advances in technology have made our job easier. We write an email, make phone calls, make video calls, organize video conferences and meetings, etc. However, not all of us are lucky enough to benefit from technological advancements. People with disabilities may or may not be able to take advantage of all the features offered by information and communication technologies. It is true that some people have difficulty accessing these applications. For example, visually impaired people will find it difficult to access the video conferencing tool or other video calling applications without a universally designed interface for them. Likewise, peopleHearing impaired people will not find it easy to communicate via video calling apps when other users do not understand their sign language. Additionally, it will be difficult for autistic people to establish videoconferencing without the help of others. They may have difficulty clicking the computer mouse.Google HangoutsGoogle Hangouts is a web application platform where users can set up, plan, and schedule video conferences. The video can be archived and saved to Google+ account or YouTube account without any hassle. The document further states that since Google Hangouts does not require any specific software installation, video conferencing has become easily accessible. Not to mention, Hangouts is free for everyone and user-friendly. However, if users need to connect the other person's number or landline via Hangouts, charges may include. As for call charges, calling to the United States and Canada is completely free. Call charges vary depending on the region of the country. The article by Rafaeli et al. infers that Google Hangouts is a virtual platform that allows users to interact with colleagues, strangers or acquaintances online via text, video and audio channels. Any friends or groups of friends can create video conferences via Google Hangouts. Nowadays, many companies use Google Hangouts to hold virtual meetings and talk about their projects as well as for face-to-face interactions. Some interviews are also conducted via Google Hangouts. Ellis Hamburger states that before the creation of Google Hangouts, Google had several similar applications such as Google Talk, Google + Messenger. At the time, Google Talk represented the best user experience in instant messaging. But due to the emerging competition between other apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, Google took the decision to come up with something new. That's when they offer Google Hangouts which replaces Google Talk and Google + Messenger. Additionally, the article hints that the Hangouts app is available not only on Android but also on iOS and Chrome. All messages sent and received by users are saved in the Google cloud, accessible from any Hangout app. Since messages are saved online, there is an option for users to delete their chat history if they wish and make it completely private. Diversity in Google Hangouts Each individual has their own characteristics. Regardless of age, gender, race, origin and nationality, a variety of applications are available for free or paid in the App Store or browser. Therefore, technological advancements are not subject to any discrimination. We can easily access technological tools or applications. We can call from one place to another and from one country to another just through the technological applications provided on the Internet. Google Hangouts takes the diversity of its users seriously. Taking user wants and needs into account, Google has done a great job with the Google Hangouts interfaces that Google Talk previously lacked. Google Hangouts has been a great help for messaging and video chat. Using emojis and avatars makes it more fun to use. The simple interface is a great help in setting up Hangouts calls. Users can access Google Hangouts in a mobile browser and the Internet. For users who use the Chrome browser, the interface is already integrated. Additionally, Google Hangouts is accessible to those who.