There’s been blog chatter all day about Google Talk. I didn’t write about it because I couldn’t use it (it hadn’t launched yet) and I certainly wasn’t “breaking” the story.
Not only that, it seems to me that Skype already has a quite nice and functional application to do this type of thing. And the fact that Google Talk had a wikipedia page up even before it launched made me sort of think things had gotten a little out of hand.
But I couldn’t resist, of course. The second the client was available for download I jumped to the site and took the plunge.
Google Talk works and it looks and sounds cool. It’s now the 15th IM client on my desktop – MSN, meetro, Yahoo, Skype, Gizmo, AIM, …
You don’t have to download Google’s software to use the service. You can use any Jabber/XMPP client. Cnet puts it well:
One advantage to Google Talk could be its ability to connect with users of competing services. Google Talk 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.
Google Talk has a nice interface, works quickly and is generally a great product.
Here’s the key features:
- built to interoperate with other services
- good voice quality
- text IM works
Here’s what it lacks:
- client only works for Windows (see mac options here)
- no group chat
- no video
- no renaming of contacts
- no “skype out, skype in, voicemail, etc.”
- good integration with gmail
So try it out and feel free to add us (techcrunch is our username).
Keith Teare, my partner at Archimedes Ventures, is thinking that Google is very obviously dripping out features and products that Microsoft is including in Vista. He wrote to me, using Google Talk:
keith.teare: “It’s almost as if Google is implementing the features Microsoft has announced for Longhorn – Sidebar; voice calls inside IM, RSS integration – but doing it ahead of Microsoft, by about 12 months.
A Google layer between Users and the OS.
Rendering the OS a commodity
It reminds me of a post I did on my weblog about 18 months ago”
I agree with Keith 100% on this one (a first).
Additional Reading:
DownloadSquad (very nice review), Dwight Silverman, Scott Kingery, GMSV, Erick Schonfeld, Ben Barren (I love this blog – guess why), Om Malik
Just a tiny correction that you can rename contacts (right-click contact, rename option available.) It’s nifty for a beta, I just hope it doesn’t suffer from too much features, which Trillian eventually got into (bloatware).
You’re right, I missed that. Thank you.
I am surprised by people saying that Google talk is a cool product!! It is definitely weaker than Skype or Yahoo IM for that matter.
Google has built its loyalty based on the ability to “wow” consumers. I dont see any single feature in this product that “wows” me. I am a little shocked as to Google’s innovation path or shall we just say copy Yahoo path?
Anil, I agree. It’s feature set doesn’t ‘wow’ (well except in the small download size 900k!). For me the ‘wow’ is Google using an open protocol so Mac/Linux etc can use clients like Gaim.
This is a ‘get it out there’ release. Similar to how Desktop 2 is a vastly more feature rich animal than GDS 1.x is. If they ever build in awareness the possibilities will really jump.
Renaming of Contacts is possible, if you right click on any contact.
I have been using Google Talk since the day it came out. I like it much better than the other IM clients out there. Now we just need to get more people to use it!
aim farshad
I don’t see a reason why I would want to use Google Talk now when all my friends are on Yahoo/MSN/AIM. (With all of them having some sort of voice/video chat)
I think these guys are too late to start this thing.
Google Talk now has server 2 server federation! (http://www.cust...topic.php?t=242)
so tem americano loco
I am new to Google talk or for that matter any talk but I would love to check it out
this group home is blocking too many of are websites we have aol butthe thing is that our instant messaging is block which me and all the girls feel is unfair please help us
We want to work on the google Talk software.
As long as MSN live messenger is so easy to use and user functional G Talk doesn’t stand a chance.
In my opinion google talk is best because it very simple in use.
hi this is rupali i want to chat online
hi this is rupali i want to chat online