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Google Adds Audio and Video Chat to Gmail
11-Nov-2008
Written by: Sari N. Kent
Google is adding a new voice and video plug-in that will put them in competition with other Web conferencing tools.
Google’s Gmail is adding a new application to their widely used service. On Tuesday, Google announced that it will be offering a free integrated voice and video plug-in that can be used with their Gmail chat so users will be able to see or hear the person with whom they are chatting.
According to PCMagazine.com, “Users will need to download and install a plug-in, and have access to a Webcam for video purposes. Google has partnered with Logitech and Buy.com to offer discounts of up to 30 percent on several cameras, as well as free shipping, until November 30.”
As for how the whole thing works, the PCMagazine.com article walks readers through the process, “Once installed, click the ‘video & more’ link inside the chat window and select ‘start video chat’ or ‘start voice chat.’ The friend you are trying to contact will hear a ring and be given the option to accept or ignore the call. Users can then chat within the Gmail tab or pop it out into a separate window and expand or decrease its size.”
This new upgrade competes with eBay’s Skype and other Web conferencing tools that have grown in popularity as technology continues to move forward as more laptops are being outfitted with built-in cameras and the speed of Web connections continues to advance.
According to the Wall Street Journal, “Gmail is the fourth-most popular webmail service in the U.S., behind offerings from Yahoo Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Time Warner Inc.'s AOL, according [to] comScore Inc. But it is the fastest growing, registering a 39% increase in unique monthly visitors from September 2007 to September 2008.”
A Reuters article added, “‘The idea was to make it quicker and easier to communicate with other people by whatever means is best convenient,’ said Google spokesman Jason Freidenfelds.
“‘It's a nice alternative for businesses looking for another way for people to connect,’ he added.” This new feature is available to both PC and Apple computer users.
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