Google Demotes Hangouts as Optional

[engine]

Google appears to be demoting Hangouts from December, with Duo replacing it in the suite of core apps.

As of December 1st, Google will no longer requires Hangouts to be bundled with new hardware. An excerpt of that email follows.

Today, we are announcing that Google Duo will replace Hangouts within the suite of core GMS apps, and Hangouts will become GMS Optional for telephony products. This change will take effect on December 1, 2016.
Google Demotes Hangouts as Optional [androidpolice.com]