G+_DJ NightKat Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Google Talk: An Unused Opportunity. SO I was having a discussion with my friend yesterday, and we were talking about Video calling. We both have iOS devices, and simply love Facetime. But we are both big Android fans. He was frustrated that because of the greed of Apple, Facetime, while a great product was locked to Apple. I don't share that precise frustration, as I'm used to Apple caring about only Apple. Facetime is something they use to sell their hardware. But what does frustrate me, is that, Google has the best counter to Facetime.. and it's sitting right under their nose. Grab your nearest Android device... Pick it up and look at Google Talk. You're online.You're always online. And most people don't even know it. With G-Talk, you have Device to Device text messaging, that is BETTER than iMessage.. (iMessage is locked to Apple devices, but G-Talk also goes to web, and because it's an open standard.. Many 3rd party IM clients). With G-Talk you also get VoIP, and Video Calling. But, this feature is buried in an app nobody knows is running. I Think, for Key Lime Pie, Google needs to take G-Talk, and embed it in the OS more. Pull it into the SMS app, where it can auto switch to use the G-Talk system over SMS, ala iMessage. Or pull G-Talk Video calling into the contacts app, or just make it more obvious. G-Talk is the best way to pull 2 of the few features iOS still has over Android. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Dustin Cromwell, Excellent points. This is why I had proposed a charity group buy Nexus 7's instead of iPads. They were going to use it for sick children in a hospital so they could video chat with friends/family. Obviously, that forces others into either iOS or Mac. My main points were the Nexus 7 was hundreds cheaper (more bang for their fundraising buck) and had not only Google Talk (Gmail) but Google+ Hangouts as well. I don't know what they ever decided to do, but they were pretty interested. Also, many people are clamoring for Google to integrate their three chat services (Talk, Voice and Google+ Messenger) into one, overhanging service. This would allow exactly what you were talking about. And the best part is, this wouldn't have to wait for the next release of Android. They could just release a stand-alone app that would work on Android, iOS and, of course, the web. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Gary A Hanson Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 google talk is how my wife and i stay in contact throughout the day at our respective jobs, it makes coordinating after-work shenanigans much easier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Johan Appelgren Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I only use Google Talk with my family and friends. Except for some rare phone calls and sms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Elix Perth Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Google Talk is a customized implementation of XMPP, and it's decentralized; right now, you can IM anyone with a Jabber ID with your existing account. Anyone can run their own server, as well. I run my own on a trusty old 1st-gen Mac Mini, and it's more reliable (my ISP permitting) than any of the big mainstream proprietary guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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