MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – As if the voice market wasn’t crowded or confusing enough, Google Inc. yesterday launched Google Talk, a downloadable Windows application that enables its Gmail users to quickly and easily talk or IM with their friends for free.
Google Talk is not voice in the way that carriers such as Bell or Rogers or Shaw or Cogeco or Primus offer it. Those carriers offer voice service the way most people use it – on the phone. Google Talk is chatting via computer
"Google Talk further enriches our users’ communications experience, whether they choose to communicate via email, IM, or a call,” said Georges Harik, director, product management, Google Inc., in the press release.
Key features include:
* Voice quality through just a computer microphone and speaker
* Simple and intuitive user interface — no clutter, pop-ups or ads
* Shared Gmail contacts list so there’s no need to maintain different contacts lists
Gmail users can download Google Talk by visiting http://www.google.com/talk/. Once they download the application, they can begin inviting others by clicking "Add friend" from the Google Talk interface. Those invited to Google Talk will also receive a free Gmail account, if they do not currently have one.
“Google believes that users should have a choice in what applications they use for communication. Built to support industry standards, Google Talk enables Google users to connect to the Google Talk service and exchange IMs using any client that does the same, including Trillian, Adium, iChat, GAIM, and Psi,” adds the release.
