VoIP Now: Google Introduces IM and VoIP services with Google Talk

August 24, 2005

Google Introduces IM and VoIP services with Google Talk

Google, Internet's most popular search engine, entered into competition with networks like AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo with the introduction of its new product 'Google Talk' on 24th August, 2005 offering instant messaging with VoIP capabilities.

The new product is proprietary and is available only to users with a Gmail account. It's lack of interoperability with other networks makes it less attractive though the company is looking for a federation with other willing service providers. Another drawback of the service is it is still in beta, signing up individuals by invitation alone (other than the US, where one can sign up after authenticating via a SMS text) whereas other large players have adopted the more versatile Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

Google Talk uses an open protocol called XMPP that allows its users to chat up with users of Apple's iChat, Trillian and other third party messaging clients. The VoIP service is good in quality and simple to use but it supports very few third party clients being compatible only with US Internet provider Earthlink and SIPphone. The software runs only on Windows at present, though the company does plan to include both OS X and Linux users in the near future.

According to industry experts, Google may give tough competition to its rivals not only because of an effective integration of its services but also because of it's ability to make its products very user friendly.vnunet.com reports:

"The lack of interoperability is a result of other providers sticking to closed networks. We plan to partner with other willing service providers to enable federation of our services," Google stated.

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August 24, 2005 in Services | Permalink