New video and voice chat in Gmail

New video and voice chat in Gmail

CrimsonRedMk on 12 November 2008 - 07:29 · 26 comments & 5596 views

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Google announced a brand new Gmail feature today: Video conversations in Gmail - called "Gmail Video and Voice".

This service combines the chatting abilities of GTalk, previously used in Gmail for chatting inside the browser. Google has now enabled full video, voice, and text chat inside the browser to Firefox, Chrome, or Internet Explorer users on Windows and Firefox users on the Mac, with possible expansion to Linux and mobile phones later. The service works by downloading and installing a small plugin which enables Gmail to use your webcam and microphone and enables the video and voice features of the service.

Gmail users will find this addition useful, because many of their existing contacts use Gmail or GTalk already, and no dedicated application is necessary.

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#1 Bosaka on 12 Nov 2008 - 07:38

To quote the Starcraft 2 Marine - "Hell, it's about time!"

#2 xpgeek on 12 Nov 2008 - 08:58

Awesome.

(1 reply) #3 +kraized on 12 Nov 2008 - 10:22

No Safari support?

#3.1 LTD on 12 Nov 2008 - 11:38

kraized said,

No Safari support?

Looks like it's there. I just downloaded GoogleVoiceAndVideoSetup.dmg. from the Gmail news page.

Very cool new feature.

(2 replies) #4 cork1958 on 12 Nov 2008 - 11:31

This should really make gmail suck even more!!
Stupid, just plain stupid!!

#4.1 Airlink on 12 Nov 2008 - 11:50

cork1958 said,

This should really make gmail suck even more!!
Stupid, just plain stupid!!

Yes, you are.

#4.2 Juan4Ever on 12 Nov 2008 - 16:23

i'm sorry, maybe is just because i'm not a native english speaker, but i don't understand what you say... can you explain yourself please?

(6 replies) #5 Glendi on 12 Nov 2008 - 11:47

Who the hell uses GTalk.

#5.1 +M2Ys4U on 12 Nov 2008 - 11:53

I do, quite a lot actually. I wish they'd update the client, though

#5.2 Glendi on 12 Nov 2008 - 13:47

M2Ys4U said,

I do, quite a lot actually. I wish they'd update the client, though

Really? All of people I know either don't use it or use Trillian. No one that I know uses the standalone GTalk.

#5.3 sphbecker on 12 Nov 2008 - 13:51

I agree, I use the Google Talk installed client as well. It’s a nice way to get real-time email notification and maintain your online presence without keeping the GMail page open all day long. For those who access GMail by IMAP or POP3 it’s the only way to chat. I too wish they would update their client to support the new features.
I know not many people use Google’s chat service, but it is a nice way to IM friends who are not into instant messaging and never took the time to sign up with AOL or Yahoo but have a Gmail account.

#5.4 IceBreakerG on 12 Nov 2008 - 14:05

Chatting through Gmail in the browser is one of the few ways I can use IM at work, since everything else is blocked. Granted, I only talk to 1 or 2 people through the service, but it's better than none.

#5.5 IceBreakerG on 12 Nov 2008 - 14:05

Sorry about the double post.

Last edited by IceBreakerG on 12 Nov 2008 - 16:24

#5.6 KavazovAngel on 12 Nov 2008 - 19:53

I use it. A great way to check for new messages, and maintain your online presence.

(2 replies) #6 Foub on 12 Nov 2008 - 14:17

Here's a good question... WHERE do you download it from?

#6.1 Juan4Ever on 12 Nov 2008 - 16:25

i'm not sure if it is applicable to everyone, but there is a link "Video & more" in your contact list on the gmail webpage... there should be a link to download the plugins... but appears not every one have the link...

#6.2 Foub on 12 Nov 2008 - 20:10

Juan4Ever said,

Actually it only explains what it is not how to get it.

P.S.

There is a new link on the main page now. It wasn't there earlier.

Last edited by Foub on 12 Nov 2008 - 20:15

(2 replies) #7 magik on 12 Nov 2008 - 14:20

I use GTalk but only through Gmail. I love that this is a web-based application. Brilliant!

#7.1 Magallanes on 12 Nov 2008 - 15:04

me too.

#7.2 qdave on 12 Nov 2008 - 21:03

Magallanes said,

me too.

same here. its awesome, and now it got even more, well awesome

#8 +chorpeac on 12 Nov 2008 - 14:44

Hahaha, privacy advocates are going to love this....

Now they not only know your email address, the text you wrote in the email, but they have your face!

Job just got easier for Johnny law.

(1 reply) #9 perochan on 12 Nov 2008 - 18:45

heres the link to download the plugin

http://mail.google.com/videochat

#9.1 Foub on 12 Nov 2008 - 20:10

perochan said,

heres the link to download the plugin

http://mail.google.com/videochat

Thanks.

#10 thealexweb on 12 Nov 2008 - 19:29

Yay, I've just made the full move to Gmail, glad to see new features are still in the works.

#11 Daninku on 13 Nov 2008 - 07:37

Thanks to this news I'm changing from WLM to Trillian hehehe.

#12 jren207 on 13 Nov 2008 - 15:10

Couldn't it just use Flash, rather than another plugin?
Flash can access your webcam and microphone etc. as well.

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