How To: Use Google+ Hangouts to Watch YouTube Live Streams

From cooking shows to concerts, people have been finding all sorts of creative uses for Google+ hangouts. But what about something a little more basic? What if you could watch YouTube live streams with your friends?

YouTube recently launched their live streams page, and there's a lot to check out. Can't make it to Lollapalooza this weekend? You can watch it live, and with a few steps, you can watch it with your friends, without even having to be in the same room or city, for that matter. 

Step 1 Start a Google+ hangout session.

Click on the Start a hangout button on the right hand side.

Step 2 Invite your friends.

Google+ hangout sessions are limited to 10 people at a time. You can invite people individually or choose circles to invite. If your friends are signed into chat, they'll get an invitation via IM to join the hangout.

Step 3 In another browser tab, open YouTube Live Stream.

Go to https://www.youtube.com/live and pick the stream you want to watch.

Step 4 Copy the YouTube ID for the stream you want.

Click the Share button underneath the video to grab the URL. Copy everything after http://youtu.be/. (That's the video ID)

Step 5 Search for the stream in your hangout.

Paste the ID into the video tab of your hangout to search for it. Once you find it, click Play.