Google Launches IM Service
About 2 or so weeks ago Google launched an instant-messaging program that allows text chat and computer-to-computer voice connections, a move that in my opinion will further highlight the search giant's increasing competition with Yahoo, Microsoft and America Online.
Google's IM service, titled Google Talk, resides in Beta and enables users to call or send instant messages to their "friends" for free--anytime, anywhere in the world. In addition to that, the program is linked to the Google's web-based e-mail program, Gmail, making email communication that much easier for its users.
When I first heard the rumors of this service a few months back, I thought to myself "How does Google plan to compete with the likes of MSN, Yahoo!, and AOL? How do they expect to go toe-to-toe, pound for pound with the already very popular and well-established instant messaging systems?" Nothing against Google, but aren't they a bit late to be entering the fight now?
Well apparently not. Google not only released the new beta version of Google Talk, but did so with an authority and a few surprises that are sure to lure loyal users and their millions of buddies away from established instant messaging applications. One advantage to using Google Talk is its ability to connect with users of competing services. The service is based on the Jabber open-source standard, which allows consumers to connect with other messaging systems that work with Jabber, such as Apple Computer's iChat, GAIM, Adium, Trillian Pro and Psi.
I did get a change to play around with Google Talk and found it to be very basic... which can be a good thing or bad pending on your IM expectations. I personally found it to be a very good thing. The messenger is free of advertisements (as of now anyway) and doesn't ask me to rate "buddies" based on their resemblance to famous people, like AOL does. It's just straight instant messaging and of course free voice chat.
Another aspect that I enjoyed is the user's ability to change how their buddies name appears in their list. My friends are constantly changing screen names and sometimes it's hard to remember who they are that week. Well this feature eliminates that problem by allowing you to change your buddies name from "Solid Snake" to "Karl Ribas."
So will Google Talk fly or will it die? It's probably a bit early to tell, but I believe that it's definitely going to soar. It packs some new innovative features and knowing Google, I'm sure there are a few more to come as newer version of the beta are released. Google will no doubt put up a good fight!
Google's IM service, titled Google Talk, resides in Beta and enables users to call or send instant messages to their "friends" for free--anytime, anywhere in the world. In addition to that, the program is linked to the Google's web-based e-mail program, Gmail, making email communication that much easier for its users.
When I first heard the rumors of this service a few months back, I thought to myself "How does Google plan to compete with the likes of MSN, Yahoo!, and AOL? How do they expect to go toe-to-toe, pound for pound with the already very popular and well-established instant messaging systems?" Nothing against Google, but aren't they a bit late to be entering the fight now?
Well apparently not. Google not only released the new beta version of Google Talk, but did so with an authority and a few surprises that are sure to lure loyal users and their millions of buddies away from established instant messaging applications. One advantage to using Google Talk is its ability to connect with users of competing services. The service is based on the Jabber open-source standard, which allows consumers to connect with other messaging systems that work with Jabber, such as Apple Computer's iChat, GAIM, Adium, Trillian Pro and Psi.
I did get a change to play around with Google Talk and found it to be very basic... which can be a good thing or bad pending on your IM expectations. I personally found it to be a very good thing. The messenger is free of advertisements (as of now anyway) and doesn't ask me to rate "buddies" based on their resemblance to famous people, like AOL does. It's just straight instant messaging and of course free voice chat.
Another aspect that I enjoyed is the user's ability to change how their buddies name appears in their list. My friends are constantly changing screen names and sometimes it's hard to remember who they are that week. Well this feature eliminates that problem by allowing you to change your buddies name from "Solid Snake" to "Karl Ribas."
So will Google Talk fly or will it die? It's probably a bit early to tell, but I believe that it's definitely going to soar. It packs some new innovative features and knowing Google, I'm sure there are a few more to come as newer version of the beta are released. Google will no doubt put up a good fight!
|
|
|
posted by Karl Ribas Friday, September 09, 2005 Read Comments (0) | Post a Comment | Subscribe  
 
 |
0 Comments:
Post a Comment | Email Author | Subscribe