Google announced the launch of a new Hangouts Chrome app for Chrome OS and Windows, which it calls a “simpler, faster way to use Hangouts on your computer alongside whatever else your’e doing.”

The point is that it keeps your chats accessible without getting in the way while you’re working, browsing reddit, watching Netflix or whatever.

“Your contact list and all your chats are condensed into one easy to toggle window,” explains Google software engineer David Levin. “Also, you’ll get integrated notifications that alert you to new messages, so you can quickly find the conversation you’re looking for.”

“It works outside of your browser so your chats are always available, not tucked away inside a window,” he adds. “You’ll get all your messages as long as you have the app running, and your chats will sync across Hangouts on all your devices.”

The app includes video and voice features that are standard to Hangouts, and you can make phone calls with the Hangouts dialer from the desktop.

The app is available in the Chrome Web Store.

Image via Google