Google has joined the bandwagon of search engine websites that offer instant messaging. Yahoo, AOL, MSN, and ICQ for years now have dominated the instant messaging world. Yahoo Messaging or YM, as known by many, not only send instant messages but also enable video conferences, share files and share photos. Other messaging services also offer this kind of services and are also on the lookout for next best thing in messaging services. Skype on the other hand, is also creating a world of its own with services uniquely on its own. Aside from ICQ which is owned by AOL, Skype maybe the only company that focuses its services in instant messaging and voice calls via the internet.
Ever since the revolutionary Gmail was launched, Google wasn’t thinking of stopping its services to its users. For a number of years now, Google has also joined the instant messaging game. In August 24, 2005, Google launched its own instant messenger, the Google Talk.
Even though Google Talk is still on its beta version, Google Talk has packed something remarkable. Its current beta version can already receive voice calls from its fellow Google Talk users. Files can also be sent and of course people can also chat using the same software. Video is still not available in Google Talk but were sure soon enough Google will release its finalized version complete with Video conferences. What makes Google talk unique is its ability to inform the user if they have an unread e-mail. If you disable all notifications of the Google Talk you will still be able to know if you have an email since the Google Talk icon in your taskbar will transform into a red envelope. Hover your mouse over the icon and you will be informed of how many emails you still haven’t read.
Google Talk doesn’t end there. If you are unable to download or install the instant messaging software and you badly need to chat with your contacts, you can always use their web based Google Talk called the Google Talk Gadget. Just go to the Google Talk official website and launch the Google Talk. From there you will be prompted to sign-in in a separate window and automatically a flash based messenger will appear with all your contacts at hand. Click on a contact and a new tab in the same window will appear. Even though voice calls can’t be made here. The sheer sliding of contacts is a sight to behold. You can also send files through the web based messenger of Google.
But wait, there’s more. Google has also embedded its instant messaging ability to your Gmail account. If you access you e-mail via the official website, you will immediately notice on the left side of your window you Gmail and non-Gmail contacts. Google will update you who is online or accessing their Google mail as the same time with you. Instead of launching or downloading any software, just click on the name who green light is on (which signals online) and you can immediately send them an instant message. The recipient of the message will immediately see you message on the same window.
Google Talk beta version has a long way to go. Yet its numerous versions makes instant messaging easier for its faithful Google users.
