xclusivesoldiers 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 Google, the world's most used search engine, is set to take on online voice and instant messaging service providers such as Skype, Microsoft and Yahoo. The firm has released a free service called Google Talk, which lets e-mail account holders talk to each other via a PC, microphone and speakers. There had been speculation that Google would use the cash from a $4bn share sale to buy its way into the market. Instead, Google promised to try to make Talk work with other firms' offerings. Google Talk will also offer instant messaging, but unlike other services such as Skype or Vonage it will not let users make calls to land lines or mobile phones. 'Missing piece' Demand for online phone services is expected to surge in coming years as consumers look for cheaper ways of making calls and take advantage of quicker internet connections. Google is looking at different ways of boosting its revenues, and last year started offering a free e-mail service to a limited number of users - although they are now allowed to invite an effectively unlimited number of people to join as well. It makes money from the e-mail service, called Gmail, by placing small adverts along messages that are relevant to what is being discussed. Similarly, earlier this week the firm launched an updated version of a tool to search PC hard drives, which ties in closely with its online search engine. Google Talk does not carry adverts, but Google says it hopes it will drive people to sign up for Gmail. "This is a missing piece in Google's larger strategy as they emerge to become a bigger internet media player," said Greg Sterling, an analyst at the Kelsey Group. Google Talk will be based on open software, meaning the firm will allow its technology to be integrated into other websites and applications. Google hopes that will encourage companies and individuals to expand its service and tailor it to better suit their needs. Catch up It also wants to offer users the ability to talk to people on other providers, something that some rivals with closed systems cannot do at present. Analysts warned, however, that Google had a lot of ground to make up on its rivals such as Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft, which already have millions of signed up users. A trial version of Google Talk can be found at: https://www.google.com/hangouts/. Source: news.bbc.co.uk Soudns interesting eh guys? I'm heading over there now to pick up my trial version.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cse-icons 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 Thats a gr8 idea.. It now complements and completes Google's Email offering. I have not checked it out yet but it would be good just like Google's other ideas....One more to Google.Cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wariorpk 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 I would use that but I have no use for voice over ip. I am glad that Google is making it free if I ever did want to use it. I have said it once and I will say it again here, go Google! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patelg 0 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 Good to know that google is coming with more and more new and free stuf.Even though it is being offered from different companies, i am sure google will provide their same kind of product with new features...It is creating compitition.....good for users.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rvalkass 5 Report post Posted August 24, 2005 I've just installed it and I much prefer it to MSN Messenger, as it isn't full of ads and weird tabs linking to you buying smilies and other junk. Competition is a great thing, especially with free software, as companies can't just lower the price! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
believer 0 Report post Posted September 6, 2005 the more choices the better, we now have skype, yahoo messenger and google talk, with these competitions we users will benefit a lot from it.Someday we will be able to use PC to phone for free! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vibutx 0 Report post Posted September 6, 2005 Yea probably google is growing really big and its going to grow even bigger. They are just coming up with new stuff. Now they have the google talk the beta version, gmail and lot more. Daniel(vibutx) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
minimcmonkey 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2008 Wow, google is really growing, especially recently.Given the sucess of their previous releases, gmail ect.I would say that it could catch on.I wonder if at some point they intend to creatan operating system, and compete against microsoft, I would definately use it if they did! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
