Blogs across the web are abuzz about Google's new foray into the instant messaging (IM) realm.
Message boards are teeming with tips and gripes, and scores of screenshots have gone up since Google released a beta version of its Talk software early on Wednesday. The free service is billed as a tool for sending instant messages and engaging in computer-to-computer voice chats.
Across the Web, many consumers hailed the software's quick download time, which takes a few seconds over broadband and about three minutes over a typical modem, according to the Google Talk Web site. They also applauded its minimalism.
"Missing are the many encumbrances that bog down the competing IM experiences," blogger Brad Hill said in a review at the Unofficial Google Weblog. "Google's debut entry in this field is characteristically breezy and uncluttered. There is no splash panel with news; no stock tabs or online radio. There is no...(ahem)...search box."
But Hill, who has authored several Internet-related books, including Google for Dummies, said the company needs to work quickly to flesh out the service. "The lack of group chatting will turn people away," he said.
Hill also deemed it "peculiar" that the service hinges on having a Gmail account, which still works by invitation only — although those invitations are now easier to obtain. Google now lets people sign up for a Gmail invitation code using their mobile phones. A general Gmail tutorial said the service is still in closed beta, and the company does not know when the service will become "more widely available."
Other reviewers took swipes at the service's limited features.
"Welcome to the Stone Age of instant messaging!" Ken Fisher, a PhD student, wrote in a mini-review at PC resource site Ars Technica. His review deemed Google's service "Spartan" for its failure to allow file transfers and group chats, and for its lack of emoticons and skins.
"Heck, Google Talk doesn't even feature a box to let you search for things, as rival products from AOL, MSN and Yahoo do," Danny Sullivan, editor at Search Engine Watch, wrote in an article.
Google's software currently works only with Windows, which has generated criticism from some bloggers. But because the service is based on the Jabber open standard, users can also run it on Jabber-compliant programs like Apple's iChat, GAIM, Adium and Trillian Pro.
Google said on its developer information page that it plans to work out agreements with other IM and VoIP providers so that "a user on one service can communicate with users on another service without needing to sign up for, or sign in with, each service."
Right now, the service is what one blogger has called "a bit of a walled garden," because Google Talk customers can't communicate with users of rivals like AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger or Microsoft's MSN Messenger.
Google declined to comment. (Google representatives have instituted a policy of not talking with CNET News.com reporters until July 2006 in response to privacy issues raised by a previous story.)
One contributor to a thread on popular blog Slashdot said he was hopeful that Google's open-protocol approach would prompt other services to allow such interoperability.
"I yearn for the day when I have only one IM ID," the contributor wrote. "People who like Yahoo can use their client and YIM ID; people who run their own Jabber server can use whatever client they want."
CNET News.com's Elinor Mills contributed to this report.
Talkback
Google talk is good but MSN and yahoo provides the same service with more attractive user interface and more options. so obviously people expect a better version from google. All the best!!!!
As much as I bemoan G-Talk lack of functionality, how many betas work so well 1st time and integrate so easily with the windows OS. It also works seamlessly with G-Desktop and since its install, yesterday, it hasn't crashed once! It might not have be the all-dancing, all-sparkling, 'all-rounder' of the IM world, but it certainly works. Not bad for been 48hrs old.
Hi,
There's allot of comment on the new GTalk. About the Gmail account and the lack of features.
I think GTalk is just perfect and can grow out to be the user-friendliest IM around.
-The major IM's (MSN,ICQ,Yahoo,ect) don't support Jabber protocol; thats why they can permit users [B]not[/B] to have [I]their[/I] email account: they don't lose there users to other IM's, because 'all my friends' have a there steady major IM and can't switch.
With GTalk you can choose to use their IM as your main IM, but you can switch IM(trillian,ect) and still talk to everybody. To keep their users with Google, they ask you to have an email account; hoping you will choose more and more google-products as your main source for ... everything.
The lack of features is probably the best move... let the community build it. Google provides a solid basis for a personalized IM with features you actually want. Though time Google will hopefully give more basic features(grouptalk,video,searchbox,...), but because it is open-source I hope to see allot of nice extensions for GTalk.
Depending on popularity GTalk could grow big; or at least give a fresh clean basic alternative to big budget Hollywood IM's like the lot of them.
Dave Ramiro
Rotterdam Holland
And i dident even have to sell my soul to the devil...(caugh microsoft,yahoo,aohell)
Google chat doesn't need stupid graphics or 'emoticons' - get a life you spives, where do you think smiles came from ":)" ...there's your emoticon!
I tell you what google should have, the ability to post source code to one another like that bulleting board that splits the code up line by line (i forget its name). SHaring more than just graphics but code, that is what it should have no ones got that:
http://rafb.net/paste/results/s3z4lf57.html
Google Talk is as simple as its originator. And of course, it is missing a lot of features that are offered by Yahoo!, AIM, etc. But that is how Google started. Keeping the simplicity of design all these years, Google has come a long way.
"There is something about Google" that makes me believe to expect great things from Google Talk!
I would never use Google's Talk Client, simply because I know from using Gmail, that when there's a problem with the program, you'll get no help, no response, no autoresponder or even acknowlegement from Google that you have written them with a problem, not covered in thier online help page. You also will not get your problem fixed either.
There are already well established Instant Message programs out there with good service and lots of pleasant Bells and Whistles
Loser, me luv emoticions :) :P B-)