Ask HN: What's up with Google?

I've been using Google talk on my rooted Android phone and for a couple of days now, using its replacement app Google Hangouts on a Nexus 7 2012.

It's a lot more confusing than Google Talk app. I have a separate Google+ account and a normal account. All's well for the Google+ account, but when I logged in using the non-Google+ account, it did not even show me online / offline status of contacts. I hunted for a setting / checkbox and searched the net only to find negative reviews about this[1].

I don't understand how someone can think removing this was a good thing. Why are we going backwards on usability and trying to coerce users into our platforms through sneaky tactics (forced updates, no "Do not ask me again" option, etc.)?

[1] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Googles-Hangouts-blunder-helped-WhatsApp/articleshow/30837560.cms