If you've been using Hangouts to send SMS, this might be your last chance as the company has recently started encouraging users to avoid using the app for SMS purposes. According to Ars Technica, the application showed some pop-up messages that advise users to stop sending SMS via Hangouts.

The warning came after Hangouts 7.0 update was implemented by Google. This particular move by Google has been seen as a pattern whenever they need to cease on the development of a new feature. As cited by Ars Technica, Google did this when they introduced Hangouts to SMS as well as the Hangouts voice feature.

Despite the apparent pending removal of the feature, Hangouts 7.0 brought another new innovation to the app -- the quick reply button. The quick reply in Hangouts 7.0 allows the user to directly reply to a message from the notifications.

Again, while there is a pending removal of SMS for Hangouts, it is not likely that it will immediately remove the whole feature given how some clients rely on it. The Project Fi, for example, continues to manage using the feature, but others who don't might eventually be unable to use the feature.

According to Android Police, aside from the Google pop-up and quick reply button, Hangouts 7.0 also created a shortcut to conversations on the home screen for ease of access.

More changes were also noticed on Hangouts 7.0, including the "Share to Hangouts" feature, where they enhanced its graphics to make it more genuine. While it cannot be said that Hangouts 7.0 is a beta form, the latest update is currently working on its primary stage.

The news of Hangouts eventually removing its SMS feature came as early as last year when Android Police reported about it. At that time, the app was still plagued with different issues that news about the removal of its SMS feature was problematic but, at the same time, helpful for users.

Google also encouraged Hangouts users to try the messenger app when sending SMS instead of using Hangouts. Google's reason on removing the SMS feature has no been cleared, but others think that it might be because of the maintenance or greater features for the app.