Regarding those emoticons, the lineup is pretty impressive: typing things like "/shrug", "/facepalm" or "/tableflip" into the chatbox will automatically change them to expressions like (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻.

Here's the full list of commands (and don't forget the forward slash at the front):

algebraic

dealwithit

disapprove

facepalm

flowerbeam

happy

lgtm

lit

octodisco

puppyparty

shame

shrug

success

sunglasses

tableback

tableflip

that

this

wizard

yuno

Finally, if you really hate switching apps to open links in a chat, that in-app browser can be accessed by flipping the "Browse in Hangouts" button in the settings tab. According to Android Police, however, this option doesn't show up on every Android device. Sorry, Nexus 5 owners, you'll just have to /dealwithit.