Google unveils instant-messaging entry

(continued from previous page)

complained that it doesn't index and make searchable text chats as Google Desktop does for AOL and MSN Messenger chats.

"That had better change--and soon--if Google is serious about winning people over. Or at least winning me," Sullivan wrote in an article on Search Engine Watch.

"Unlike some past Google products, like Google Maps or Gmail, Google Talk does not seem to 'pull a Google' as I like to call (it) in rewriting what we expect from an application or service," he wrote. "No 'wow' feature jumps out at me or Gary Price, Search Engine Watch's news editor who worked with me on the story."

AOL leads the pack in instant messaging, with about 41.6 million users, followed by about 19 million using Yahoo Messenger and 14 million using MSN Messenger, according to ComScore Media Metrix.

"Unless the Google tool can talk to AOL, it's going to be a pain" for users, Sullivan added.

Both AIM and MSN Messenger enable voice chat. And earlier this month, Yahoo began allowing its IM users to make phone calls through the service, in what many see as a challenge to popular VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) provider Skype.

David Card, an analyst at Jupiter Research, said he understood the business reasons behind Google wanting to offer instant messaging, but questioned what the search company could add to the technology that would entice enough users to the service to make it competitive.

"I'm puzzled to imagine what is going to be the unique Google-ness of an instant-messaging product," he said. "I don't think the world needs another one."

John Battelle, who wrote a book on Web search that will be published in September, said he believes IM is a "no brainer." "IM ties folks to a platform, and that's what Google is building with Desktop et al. VoIP is another possibility," he wrote in his blog.

Other bloggers also were waiting to see what Google's twist would be on instant messaging.

"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," wrote Search Engine Journal editor Loren Baker. "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? Photo sharing and file sharing via the already available Google-owned Hello messaging program?...Google, time to speak up; the world is listening."

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.)

[Bob_Barker]

I don't get it.

Why launch a new product and make it available only to those with a gmail account? Most people can't even use gmail because it requires an "invitation". It isn't even all that impressive. Other IM clients have offered the same features for years. Does the name "google" make it special?

[scsscs22]

If you haven't gotten a gmail invite by now...

You need to find some new friends.

Dont need Gmail

I guess you need a Google account and not a Gmail a/c (both are different)
Google a/c is like MS passport for which any email a/c would suffice.
Visit <a class="jive-link-external" href="https://www.google.com/accounts/" target="_newWindow">https://www.google.com/accounts/</a>

[thedreaming]

getting invited

I got 50 invitations just sitting there and I've already sent them to all my friends, so if you want one, let me know and I'll send it to you. That way, you can use gmail and google talk, as well as all the other google services and programs.

Just send me some email at [e-mail]

[Earl Benser]

Don't need IM....

... 'Can you read me now????' mentality, coupled with limited
communications capability, leaves IM as just something to keep the
teeny boppers busy.

You want to tell me something? Call me.........

And if you don't have my phone number, or I don't answer, there's
a message in there somewhere...........

[Bob_Barker]

I don't get it.

Why launch a new product and make it available only to those with a gmail account? Most people can't even use gmail because it requires an "invitation". It isn't even all that impressive. Other IM clients have offered the same features for years. Does the name "google" make it special?

[scsscs22]

If you haven't gotten a gmail invite by now...

You need to find some new friends.

Dont need Gmail

I guess you need a Google account and not a Gmail a/c (both are different)
Google a/c is like MS passport for which any email a/c would suffice.
Visit <a class="jive-link-external" href="https://www.google.com/accounts/" target="_newWindow">https://www.google.com/accounts/</a>

[thedreaming]

getting invited

I got 50 invitations just sitting there and I've already sent them to all my friends, so if you want one, let me know and I'll send it to you. That way, you can use gmail and google talk, as well as all the other google services and programs.

Just send me some email at [e-mail]

[Earl Benser]

Don't need IM....

... 'Can you read me now????' mentality, coupled with limited
communications capability, leaves IM as just something to keep the
teeny boppers busy.

You want to tell me something? Call me.........

And if you don't have my phone number, or I don't answer, there's
a message in there somewhere...........

[Bob_Barker]

I don't get it.

Why launch a new product and make it available only to those with a gmail account? Most people can't even use gmail because it requires an "invitation". It isn't even all that impressive. Other IM clients have offered the same features for years. Does the name "google" make it special?

[scsscs22]

If you haven't gotten a gmail invite by now...

You need to find some new friends.

Dont need Gmail

I guess you need a Google account and not a Gmail a/c (both are different)
Google a/c is like MS passport for which any email a/c would suffice.
Visit <a class="jive-link-external" href="https://www.google.com/accounts/" target="_newWindow">https://www.google.com/accounts/</a>

[thedreaming]

getting invited

I got 50 invitations just sitting there and I've already sent them to all my friends, so if you want one, let me know and I'll send it to you. That way, you can use gmail and google talk, as well as all the other google services and programs.

Just send me some email at [e-mail]

[Earl Benser]

Don't need IM....

... 'Can you read me now????' mentality, coupled with limited
communications capability, leaves IM as just something to keep the
teeny boppers busy.

You want to tell me something? Call me.........

And if you don't have my phone number, or I don't answer, there's
a message in there somewhere...........

[Mendz]

Google under pressure?

I think it's Google under pressure to add more value to itself now that they're public. Which I think is ok. Google is already a brand by itself. There are people who use Google products simply because they're from Google. Google keep this up and next we'll find PCs, laptops and devices with "Google Inside" stickers. :-D

[dysonl]

Not Everyone is a Google fanboy

I disagree.

Most average Internet users don't care much about the Google brand. They don't see Google as the almighty-innovative-and-cool web company that geeks like to love religiously.

Case in point, I have sent GMail invitations to members of my family (average net users). They bothered to register and create an account but did NOT care enough to actually use that GMail account regularly, as their primary email account. I have lots of friends who do not use GMail. Those that do are "experienced" web users and they work in the computer/software-related field.

I predict the same thing will happen to this goodle IM thing. Most people will keep using their cute MSN Messenger and Yahoo! IM and will not care to switch.

[Mendz]

Google under pressure?

I think it's Google under pressure to add more value to itself now that they're public. Which I think is ok. Google is already a brand by itself. There are people who use Google products simply because they're from Google. Google keep this up and next we'll find PCs, laptops and devices with "Google Inside" stickers. :-D

[dysonl]

Not Everyone is a Google fanboy

I disagree.

Most average Internet users don't care much about the Google brand. They don't see Google as the almighty-innovative-and-cool web company that geeks like to love religiously.

Case in point, I have sent GMail invitations to members of my family (average net users). They bothered to register and create an account but did NOT care enough to actually use that GMail account regularly, as their primary email account. I have lots of friends who do not use GMail. Those that do are "experienced" web users and they work in the computer/software-related field.

I predict the same thing will happen to this goodle IM thing. Most people will keep using their cute MSN Messenger and Yahoo! IM and will not care to switch.

[Mendz]

Google under pressure?

I think it's Google under pressure to add more value to itself now that they're public. Which I think is ok. Google is already a brand by itself. There are people who use Google products simply because they're from Google. Google keep this up and next we'll find PCs, laptops and devices with "Google Inside" stickers. :-D

[dysonl]

Not Everyone is a Google fanboy

I disagree.

Most average Internet users don't care much about the Google brand. They don't see Google as the almighty-innovative-and-cool web company that geeks like to love religiously.

Case in point, I have sent GMail invitations to members of my family (average net users). They bothered to register and create an account but did NOT care enough to actually use that GMail account regularly, as their primary email account. I have lots of friends who do not use GMail. Those that do are "experienced" web users and they work in the computer/software-related field.

I predict the same thing will happen to this goodle IM thing. Most people will keep using their cute MSN Messenger and Yahoo! IM and will not care to switch.

[Dachi]

About the Google CNET press ban

Reading the story it looks like CNET not just posted public info on Schmidt but also mistakenly made the claim Google was collecting data obtained from Desktop search.

The type of people that support Google are very anti-spyware so I could see why something like that could be catastrophic to their public image especially when reported by a source which is normally as reputable as CNET.

I understand why they are not talking to you, that was a pretty big mistake.

[gunplaygod]

Google's CNET Boycott is wrong

CNET has written more than a few articles about what Google's technology could mean for the future of privacy on the web. In fact CNET, very much like a typical news outlet, is a bit overzealous when it comes to covering privacy issues because they know the sensationalism of it makes for happy readers. However I found indepthness and fairness of the article in question very informative and valuable reporting. Therefore there is only one reason for this Google boycott. I pointy-hair boss. To me at least, it's quite obvious Eric Schmidt had a little hissy fit at the fact that information that about him, that was publicly available from the very company he runs, was compiled together in three paragraphs as valid proof to a point the article was trying to make. The point being that information that used to be available to to a private investigator after a couple months of research is now available to a laymen in about 5 minutes of searching. I for one don't think privacy is that big of an issue as long as everyone losses the same amount of it at the same time there is still equality. But obviously Eric Schmidt needs to lose the pointy-hair, take a good close look at his company's moto, and stop trying to punish a news outlet for making a point and reporting what's in the public's interests.

[Dachi]

About the Google CNET press ban

Reading the story it looks like CNET not just posted public info on Schmidt but also mistakenly made the claim Google was collecting data obtained from Desktop search.

The type of people that support Google are very anti-spyware so I could see why something like that could be catastrophic to their public image especially when reported by a source which is normally as reputable as CNET.

I understand why they are not talking to you, that was a pretty big mistake.

[gunplaygod]

Google's CNET Boycott is wrong

CNET has written more than a few articles about what Google's technology could mean for the future of privacy on the web. In fact CNET, very much like a typical news outlet, is a bit overzealous when it comes to covering privacy issues because they know the sensationalism of it makes for happy readers. However I found indepthness and fairness of the article in question very informative and valuable reporting. Therefore there is only one reason for this Google boycott. I pointy-hair boss. To me at least, it's quite obvious Eric Schmidt had a little hissy fit at the fact that information that about him, that was publicly available from the very company he runs, was compiled together in three paragraphs as valid proof to a point the article was trying to make. The point being that information that used to be available to to a private investigator after a couple months of research is now available to a laymen in about 5 minutes of searching. I for one don't think privacy is that big of an issue as long as everyone losses the same amount of it at the same time there is still equality. But obviously Eric Schmidt needs to lose the pointy-hair, take a good close look at his company's moto, and stop trying to punish a news outlet for making a point and reporting what's in the public's interests.

[Dachi]

About the Google CNET press ban

Reading the story it looks like CNET not just posted public info on Schmidt but also mistakenly made the claim Google was collecting data obtained from Desktop search.

The type of people that support Google are very anti-spyware so I could see why something like that could be catastrophic to their public image especially when reported by a source which is normally as reputable as CNET.

I understand why they are not talking to you, that was a pretty big mistake.

[gunplaygod]

Google's CNET Boycott is wrong

CNET has written more than a few articles about what Google's technology could mean for the future of privacy on the web. In fact CNET, very much like a typical news outlet, is a bit overzealous when it comes to covering privacy issues because they know the sensationalism of it makes for happy readers. However I found indepthness and fairness of the article in question very informative and valuable reporting. Therefore there is only one reason for this Google boycott. I pointy-hair boss. To me at least, it's quite obvious Eric Schmidt had a little hissy fit at the fact that information that about him, that was publicly available from the very company he runs, was compiled together in three paragraphs as valid proof to a point the article was trying to make. The point being that information that used to be available to to a private investigator after a couple months of research is now available to a laymen in about 5 minutes of searching. I for one don't think privacy is that big of an issue as long as everyone losses the same amount of it at the same time there is still equality. But obviously Eric Schmidt needs to lose the pointy-hair, take a good close look at his company's moto, and stop trying to punish a news outlet for making a point and reporting what's in the public's interests.

[Dachi]

Invite only will go away.

Acording to Yahoo "Gmail previously was available only to those invited by a current account holder, but now Google is opening up registration to anyone in the United States."

Source here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&#38;u=/ap/20050824/ap_on_hi_te/google_messaging" target="_newWindow">http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&#38;u=/ap/20050824/ap_on_hi_te/google_messaging</a>

[Dachi]

Invite only will go away.

Acording to Yahoo "Gmail previously was available only to those invited by a current account holder, but now Google is opening up registration to anyone in the United States."

Source here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&#38;u=/ap/20050824/ap_on_hi_te/google_messaging" target="_newWindow">http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&#38;u=/ap/20050824/ap_on_hi_te/google_messaging</a>

[Dachi]

Invite only will go away.

Acording to Yahoo "Gmail previously was available only to those invited by a current account holder, but now Google is opening up registration to anyone in the United States."

Source here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&#38;u=/ap/20050824/ap_on_hi_te/google_messaging" target="_newWindow">http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&#38;u=/ap/20050824/ap_on_hi_te/google_messaging</a>

[Christopher Hall]

Does it have ads?

My only gripe with AIM is that every few minutes, I'm bombarded with ads. I've had to find a third-party hack to disable them, which is not something I am typically comfortable doing. Once they started streaming Flash video ads, though, I swallowed my discomforts real quick.

AIM Today is entirely worthless, and while it can be turned off, any time you update the program, it ever-so-casually "forgets" that you didn't want that darn window popping up.

If the Google IM doesn't have ads, I would consider switching.

[Christopher Hall]

Does it have ads?

My only gripe with AIM is that every few minutes, I'm bombarded with ads. I've had to find a third-party hack to disable them, which is not something I am typically comfortable doing. Once they started streaming Flash video ads, though, I swallowed my discomforts real quick.

AIM Today is entirely worthless, and while it can be turned off, any time you update the program, it ever-so-casually "forgets" that you didn't want that darn window popping up.

If the Google IM doesn't have ads, I would consider switching.

[Christopher Hall]

Does it have ads?

My only gripe with AIM is that every few minutes, I'm bombarded with ads. I've had to find a third-party hack to disable them, which is not something I am typically comfortable doing. Once they started streaming Flash video ads, though, I swallowed my discomforts real quick.

AIM Today is entirely worthless, and while it can be turned off, any time you update the program, it ever-so-casually "forgets" that you didn't want that darn window popping up.

If the Google IM doesn't have ads, I would consider switching.

So what

What a boring IM client, there's absolutely nothing to make me want to switch from my MSN, which I use quite frequently. The customizations aren't cool (if any even), no video, yawn. Like others have said, they need something to make people want to switch.

[JLP]

Original MSN looks childish

I just hope they don't make it look as childish
as the original MSN client. I also use MSN a lot
but I always use other more clean clients. But I
agree that they will have to improve sound and
video communications to get more users. Well if
they work hard this could become the best IM
client.

So what

What a boring IM client, there's absolutely nothing to make me want to switch from my MSN, which I use quite frequently. The customizations aren't cool (if any even), no video, yawn. Like others have said, they need something to make people want to switch.

[JLP]

Original MSN looks childish

I just hope they don't make it look as childish
as the original MSN client. I also use MSN a lot
but I always use other more clean clients. But I
agree that they will have to improve sound and
video communications to get more users. Well if
they work hard this could become the best IM
client.

So what

What a boring IM client, there's absolutely nothing to make me want to switch from my MSN, which I use quite frequently. The customizations aren't cool (if any even), no video, yawn. Like others have said, they need something to make people want to switch.

[JLP]

Original MSN looks childish

I just hope they don't make it look as childish
as the original MSN client. I also use MSN a lot
but I always use other more clean clients. But I
agree that they will have to improve sound and
video communications to get more users. Well if
they work hard this could become the best IM
client.

[JLP]

You don't need GMail

You don't need GMail to use this. It is based on
open and free standard XMPP better known as
Jabber. So you can use any Jabber client you
want and you can use any Jabber server you want.
A list of some public ones is here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.jabber.org/network/" target="_newWindow">http://www.jabber.org/network/</a>
That's what is so nice about this. No one will
force you to use some client, no one will force
you to use some server and no one is going to
block connecting to server if they don't like
you client of choice. It is like e-mail. Use
whatever you like.

[JLP]

You don't need GMail

You don't need GMail to use this. It is based on
open and free standard XMPP better known as
Jabber. So you can use any Jabber client you
want and you can use any Jabber server you want.
A list of some public ones is here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.jabber.org/network/" target="_newWindow">http://www.jabber.org/network/</a>
That's what is so nice about this. No one will
force you to use some client, no one will force
you to use some server and no one is going to
block connecting to server if they don't like
you client of choice. It is like e-mail. Use
whatever you like.

[JLP]

You don't need GMail

You don't need GMail to use this. It is based on
open and free standard XMPP better known as
Jabber. So you can use any Jabber client you
want and you can use any Jabber server you want.
A list of some public ones is here:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.jabber.org/network/" target="_newWindow">http://www.jabber.org/network/</a>
That's what is so nice about this. No one will
force you to use some client, no one will force
you to use some server and no one is going to
block connecting to server if they don't like
you client of choice. It is like e-mail. Use
whatever you like.

[Roman12]

40 million aol users?

Wow, thats a surprise... Here in Toronto, Canada I've never met anybody who uses AOL messenger... Everybody's got MSN... every single teen.

I'm going to stay with MSN for now because I a list of 146 contacts built up over the years.

[Filip Remplakowski]

I don't...

... see why you can't use IM which support a variety of formats,
there are a couple for the mac like Adium (my personal favourite)
and there must be quite a few of these programs available for
windows. It's great that google are using opensource jabber for
their IM.

[Roman12]

40 million aol users?

Wow, thats a surprise... Here in Toronto, Canada I've never met anybody who uses AOL messenger... Everybody's got MSN... every single teen.

I'm going to stay with MSN for now because I a list of 146 contacts built up over the years.

[Filip Remplakowski]

I don't...

... see why you can't use IM which support a variety of formats,
there are a couple for the mac like Adium (my personal favourite)
and there must be quite a few of these programs available for
windows. It's great that google are using opensource jabber for
their IM.

[Roman12]

40 million aol users?

Wow, thats a surprise... Here in Toronto, Canada I've never met anybody who uses AOL messenger... Everybody's got MSN... every single teen.

I'm going to stay with MSN for now because I a list of 146 contacts built up over the years.

[Filip Remplakowski]

I don't...

... see why you can't use IM which support a variety of formats,
there are a couple for the mac like Adium (my personal favourite)
and there must be quite a few of these programs available for
windows. It's great that google are using opensource jabber for
their IM.

[Jammer]

Bring back that pre-secondary google innovation?

I, along with lots of other, really was interested in seeing the bold move by Google in the IM space - heck, they did it in a staid space like email, of course they'd do the same in IM.

Unfortunately, what I saw with Google Talk was a really disappointing effort. Symptoms of mediocrity: 1. a proprietary, non-SIP based approach (heck, Skype lobbed you a softball on that one, and you whiffed with Jabber). 2. lack of good platform functionality - great, I have another least common denominator federation scheme (and you didn't really extend it to address its deficiencies). 3. Missing out on IM basics like file sharing, rich text, etc.. 4. no white pages - it was what allowed Skype to survive its spare namespace era. 5. really ignoring the initial create metaphor that Hello brought to sharing - how long have you owned the Picassa folk now?

I would have joined the masses a week ago in kneeling at the altar of Google innovation, but Sidebar and Google Talk have left me cold.

Shame on you for doing so little with such a great talent pool.