Google to connect with Multiple IM Networks?

It seems as if Google is working on full capacity to improve Google’s communication services. Recently, the added more storage to our accounts, they gave us IMAP support, and they are even rolling out a new version of Gmail which works faster. Ionut from Google Operating System dug Gmail’s javascript codes and made some interesting findings.

He found out traces of new features like colored labels, ability to remove threads from conversation and jabber transport. For those, who don’t know about jabber transports, it’s a way to connect and talk with people from other IM networks like Yahoo, MSN and AOL by converting instant messages into jabber format (GTalk works on jabber protocol, remember?).

I’ve been using third transport servers for several months now, and it requires some tricks to configure (more details here). But going through third party transport sever isn’t favorable to everyone, and that’s where Google’s appeal lies. If Google implemented transport severs and provide an easy way to connect with other IM networks, it would be awesome for everyone.

Gmail 2.0′s new contact manager allows you to add multiple messenger IDs. This gives me a strong feeling that jabber transport is really going to come sooner or later.

This post was published by on October 31, 2007

About the Author: Thilak Rao works as a Social Media Expert. He is one of the first professional bloggers from India, and he loves to write, travel and click photos. Follow him on Twitter @thilak

  • http://marcvz.net/blog Marc

    I don’t think much of Google Gtalk messenger program. It’s downright primitive. Using Pidgin works for me, except I can’t use voice chat on any of the networks.

    If they’re going to make Gtalk better, they should make it a full fledged messenger with every feature they can think of.

  • http://www.nirmaltv.com Nirmal

    This is definitely good move by Google, will increase the Gmail accounts. :-)

  • http://www.smackall.com Harishankar

    yes, Google has already hired Sean Egan, the lead developer of Gaim, an open source instant messenger

    Ref: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Google_hires_lead_developer_for_open_source_instant_messenger,_Gaim

  • http://www.technologyevangelist.com Ed Kohler

    Personally, I’ve had better luck with Meebo. Especially due to memory leaks in recent versions of FireFox that seem to be due to Gmail.