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Google Talk is an instant-messaging service from Google that you can use to send messages, files, or e-mail or make VoIP calls to people on your contact list. Since Google Talk is based on an open protocol (XMPP), it can be used to connect to any device that supports this protocol; this currently means Windows, Android, and BlackBerry devices, although other clients are bound to appear soon.
Google Talk reads your Gmail contact list, and the tight integration between Google Talk and Gmail allows you to send IMs to contacts in your Gmail account. Any chat conversations you have through Google Talk are saved and searchable by default. Offline messages are supported. The Google Talk interface is clean and easy to work with, and the application's integration with other Google tools is clean and easy, too.
Google Talk is a free download intended to compete with a host of other applications that offer similar capabilities. By integrating with Gmail and other apps, though, Google Talk has an edge, increased by its support of non-Windows clients. The application is small and fast, and we have encountered no problems in several years of using it.
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Google Talk offers you a choice to get in touch over email, IM, or a call; a quality talk through your computer but hear your friends as if they were in the same room; and convenience of your Gmail contacts which are pre-loaded into Google Talk so inviting or talking to your friends is just a click away.
Version 1.0.0.104 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Version 1.0.0.104 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 16 votes
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Current version:
2.9 starsout of 15 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Excellent Low-Resource Hog for PC-PC Communication!"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
The number one PRO that I'd have to say about this little program is it's small, uses nearly no additional resources on your computer, and it's not bloated with lots of bells and whistles. I've been an avid paying customer of Skype for years, and I really appreciate all it does; however, for something as simple as passing a link to my wife in the other room, I don't need anything more than just a little chat window, and Google Talk works perfectly for that job. One other thing that this little tool can do very well is to pass files from one computer to another; obviously not here in my own house because I have our home network for that job. But, when I'm working with someone on a project who's several states away, we'll be talking on Skype, but when we need to pass a file back and forth to one another, we use Google Talk because it works the best out of all the other clients we've tried in the past.
Cons
I'm a person who likes to give 'both sides of the story' on anything I comment on or write about; however, I can't come up with any "Cons" about this software. I can't think of (even) one.
Summary
To summarize, if you want/need something small, clean, and without all the frills, I highly recommend this program!
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"GOOGLE TALK IS RIDICULOUS!"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
I loved this for INCOMING email notifications, or online friend notifications.
Cons
I used to have this to be able to see my fiends online and a message popped up in lower right to notify me of INCOMING email.....but it quit for some reason, and will NOT reload and sign me back in!
SICK & TIRED OF ERROR MESSAGES & SHORTCUT CAN NOT BE FOUND!Summary
I UNINSTALLED Google Talk for the NEWEST version for bug fixes, etc.....and wished I'd stayed with OLD version, at least I'd still have email notifications, instead of having to check 30x's a day.
~Pat B. in EL CAJON, CA. -
"Just as any other im app, lacks many functions though"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
It's an instant messaging app and does what it is supposed to
Cons
Seriously lacks the function you get if you use it within your browser such as video chat.
Summary
It's an IM app like others, this one for Gmail users. When used within the browser you have the ability to pop it out of the browser and use the video function. the downloaded app however lacks this function which is quite offputting. And giving no reason to download and install it.
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"Great you can email,chat,even call,send voice-mail too."
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
Great For chating with people in Google.
Cons
Not many people are on Google.
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"Not working on some of the mobile sets"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
Easy way to stay in touch with the friends,
Cons
Not working in some of the sets properly
Summary
http://spicelabs.in claiming the same application which is runs on third party platforms for Java, symbian, etc... etc....
same is available with getjar, mobango but i am not sure whether it will work on other platforms. -
"Great, esp for filesharing"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
FIlesharing!
Cons
Same filesharing capability is not available in regular gchat webapp
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"good with limitations!!!"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
Easy to install and use
Cons
Limited features
Summary
If you´re not expecting too much, great for the average user.
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"VIRUS!!!! DO NOT DOWNLOAD!!! GOOGLE IS DESTROY YOUR PC"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
Nothing good.
Cons
Everything is bad! Its terrible!! It just does things while you haven't choosed to do so. It also is keepon saying ERROR. I tried this on the other PC and my laptop, on all 3 PCs, it said error. on my laptop, I received a VIRUS from Google!!!!
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"A waste of time"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
Easy install. Easy to use
Cons
Does not support other networks. Some download sites claim you can talk to people on other messenger networks. This is false.
Summary
Unless all your contacts are googletalk users with Googlemail/gmail, forget it.
If you send an invite by entering the email of the other person, the email will NOT be a direct invite. Instead, they will be advised to download this googlechat program. This is so limited by modern standards. Those lazy developers at Google need to update it to support other networks, at least Yahoo, MSN and ICQ, and possible AIM. Until that is done, this is going nowhere. -
"awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Version: Google Talk 1.0.0.104
Pros
i like everything about it!
Cons
there's nothing to dislike
