[calebegg]

The Hangouts Chrome extension isn't out of browser, but it's pretty close, and I like it a lot.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hangouts/nckgahada...

It has its own Gmail-style chat UI at the bottom of the screen.

[terinjokes]

And it gets completely confused if the Google Account Chrome is logged into is different than the primary account you're logged into on the web.

Or at least that's my experience with it so far.