Advertisement
  1. SEJ
  2.  ⋅ 
  3. SEO

Google Talk – Instant Messaging and VOIP App from Google?

Google Talk – Instant Messaging and VOIP App from Google?

When Google talks, the world listens. People get ready to open your ears, because Google is about to speak loud and clear as the Internet anticipates the release this week of Google Talk – the Google Instant Messaging service. Google executives have hinted that the company will be releasing a new communications tool on Wednesday and most clues and leaks point to the messaging and/or VOIP tool from Google – Google Talk.

Unlike most net rumors, the buzz around Google Talk has legs to stand on. First reason is that the subdomain talk.google.com is live and redirects usersto www.google.com/talk/ which now serves a 404 error message. For the most part, if Google is not using a subdomain it does not exist at all and would not redirect or serve any message.

Additionally, Google is currently running a Jabber server which was picked up by a Neowin member. Om Malik explains how Jabber is a voice-over-IM technology which is growing rapidly in popularity:

Jabber already has a deal with AOL, and from the looks of it, is fast becoming a platform of choice for voice-over-IM. Jabber’s deal with AOL is all about offering “federated IM” service that can also connect to ICQ and Apple’s iChat. And now Google. And this is the worst possible news for someone like Skype, because now they will up against not two but three giants who want to offer a pale-version of Skype.

Chances also exist that the Google offering will go beyond messaging or chat and be a total voice operated communications system, offering VOIP technology with the ability to do VOIP to telephone calls as well. Google’s recent acquisition of Android may also point to the new Google Talk tool also being mobile friendly.

LAtimes reports that a source that had used the Google Talk app confirms saying that “Google plans to let users chat using more than just their keyboards. Like similar programs from competitors, Google Talk also will let computer users with a headset have voice conversations with other computer users with headsets.”

Hmmm… Google Talk; VOIP and IM. Since Yahoo and Skype also offer similar offerings I’m wondering what Google may do to spice up Google Talk a bit. You know, something that will Google-fy it. Perhaps serving search results and Web Clips related to conversations? AdSense ads relevant to conversations which pick up the bill for VOIP to phone calls? Integrating the offering with Google AdWords to implement a pay-per-call model? Photo sharing and file sharing via the already available Google owned Hello messaing program? A plug-in for Google Sidebar? Perhaps a multi-IM, multi-VOIP function compatible with other offerings?

Oh yeah, adding to the notion of Google targeting feeds such as AdSense or Web Clips to its Jabber based messaging client : Jabber is XML based, using XMPP programming.

Google, time to speak up, the world is listening.

Additional info : I was sitting here thinking to myself why the build up to Wednesday August 24th. After checking out the “This Day in History” information on the 24th of August I found this : August 24th, 1891 : Thomas Edison patents the motion picture camera. Given Google’s past of commemorating little-known days in science history, I’m wondering if there might be a little something to this date, Thomas Edison, the moving picture, and Google IM / VOIP – AND Google Video.

Could Google be adding video capabilities to its Google Talk Messenger that would make the software worth downloading and using?

Would the video chat service be via webcam? Hmmm… the more I’m thinking the more the PR person comes out in me. What if Google sent every computer user in the US a Google Webcam and easy install disc of Google Talk on August 24th? That’s not too far out there is it?

Category SEO
ADVERTISEMENT
SEJ STAFF Loren Baker Founder at Foundation Digital

Loren Baker is the Founder of SEJ, an Advisor at Alpha Brand Media and runs Foundation Digital, a digital marketing ...

Google Talk – Instant Messaging and VOIP App from Google?

Subscribe To Our Newsletter.

Conquer your day with daily search marketing news.