socialmedian: Gmail Video Chat: The Anti-Skype Arrives

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Gmail Video Chat: The Anti-Skype Arrives

Source: Mashable!

Nov 11, 2008

Summary

The last major piece of the puzzle that was missing from Gmail was voice and video chat. Not any more; if you have a webcam and a microphone, you can now video chat with your friends directly from Gmail by installing this plugin.

The plugin works in all major browsers (I’ve tried it in the latest version of Firefox) and installs on all of them automatically. After you’ve installed it, start a chat with someone and enable the new functionality from the Options menu at the bottom of the chat window. If you don’t have it yet, you’ll get it soon; Google is gradually rolling out the new feature to all users starting today.

This is obviously a big jab at Skype. With VoIP and video chat functionality in Gmail’s familiar surroundings, many users will feel less need to ever use Skype. Sure, Skype’s client has a ton more options than Gmail’s simple video chat, but many users will prefer Gmail for precisely that reason. Google now needs to enable this functionality in Gtalk, and the circle will be complete; it’ll be interesting to see what steps Skype will take to count

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Comments (15)

Ajay,

Nov 12, 2008

@alpesh @bala I think we should try this.

Nlnnet,

Nov 12, 2008

I am a big fan of Skype, but it is attractive to have all of this reside in one spot

Nishith,

Nov 12, 2008

@ajay @alpesh @bala Let's give it a try. And maybe if this is working out really well, we can think about moving the company mails as well to gmail.

Ajay,

Nov 12, 2008

@nishith I tried the installer its only ~400kb plugin for firefox.

Alpesh,

Nov 12, 2008

@ajay @nishith @nlnnet @bala I have tried voice chat on gtalk, its good. Video chat would be a nice feature!!!! Excellent..

Bellepensee,

Nov 12, 2008

And Google is one step closer to taking over the technology world.

Mholzinger,

Nov 12, 2008

I hope Google video adds Group chat six or more to video chat ...

Desormeaux,

Nov 12, 2008

Google is becoming the godzilla of web 2.0, but...I will still use Skype. I don't really use my gmail account, I really like my live mail with MS.

Bigyahu,

Nov 13, 2008

erm... and there's that whole in/outbound voice call thing that gtalk doesn't do yet. that's the main reason i use skype.

Euskir,

7 days ago

There's a minor (or not so minor...) issue, it doesn't work on PPC Macs.

Leshtanski,

7 days ago

Finally! Welcome to the show! Cheers!

Emmravalimanana,

7 days ago

It's so great having video and tchat to Gmail. So, we don't need more to open different applications. ONLY, It's a shame it hasn't any possibility to manage folder as the others boxmails. Sometimes, I'm furious to see the list of contacts and mails mixed to the same box!!! NOT AMAZING!

Nishith,

7 days ago

Now we need something similar to skype-in and skype-out.

Rah33ls,

7 days ago

one word: grandcentral?

Dannytatom,

7 days ago

I tried it yesterday with a few friends, and I have to say I liked it. More than anything, I like that it's not bogged down with a ton of features I couldn't care less about.