Google launched a new online service called "Helpouts," in an attempt to connect businesses and users to solve problems or get advice on a range of issues. It is a new marketplace for live video consultations that sells expert advice on everything from beauty advice, yoga and music lessons, cooking demonstrations, home repair tips, Photoshop assistance and more. The tool uses Google Hangouts technology for scheduled and on-demand lessons. The new service represents Google's attempt to play an instrumental role in supporting people manage their lives.

Search engine giant and Helpouts video sessions

The Google Helpouts service features around 1,000 partners who offer a broad range of expertise in many topics. They are available live on video consultations. These video sessions can last a few minutes or can last many hours, depending on the topic. These experts are effectively trading their time and services in exchange for payment. Helpouts video sessions can be booked before time by appointment or they can be on demand if an expert is available. Google will take 20 percent of the fee that the providers charge from users for the video chats, though Google is initially exempting the transaction fee for providers in the Health category. Google continues to be the world's number one Internet search engine; however a growing number of consumers are turning to social networks like Facebook Inc to get suggestions and recommendations from their friends about topics ranging from movies to restaurants and many more.

"Most of the world's useful information still resides in people's heads," Udi Manber, vice president of engineering at Google said at a small briefing with reporters in San Francisco on Monday. Helpouts "opens the door to that information as well." "With Helpouts, you can choose who you get help from based on their qualifications, their availability, their price, their ratings and reviews," he said.

Obviously search engine giant wants to hold the throne, live video on any topic you need is for sure something that could make us all use it even more. In the beginning Google will offer tight oversight of the Helpouts website, ascertaining which types of services can be provided on Helpouts video sessions. For providers of medical live on video consultations, Google will carry out background checks to make sure that the provider has valid credentials. Users can leave their feedbacks of the different video chat experts and Google will reimburse consumers who are not satisfied with their video consultation, according to the company. As of now, Helpouts is only available in the web browser and on Android. It's still unclear whether or not the service will come to iOS and OS X.

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