Today Google announced on theOfficial Google Mobile Blogthat it is launching Google Talk with video and voice chat for Android phones.
Whether your Google Talk contacts are on any compatible Android tablet or phone, or happen to be using Gmail with Google Talk on their computer, you can now video or voice chat with them right from your Android phone. Calls can be made over a 3G or 4G data network (if your carrier supports it) or over Wi-Fi.
A video or voice chat button will appear next to your contacts In your Google Talk friends list, and to connect with them you just have to touch the corresponding button. If you need to check something else, the video will automatically pause, allowing you to go back to your phone’s home screen or another app. As an added bonus, any text chats from the person you’re talking with will be overlaid on your phone’s screen so you can read them without having to leave the video.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
Google plans to roll out Google Talk with video and voice chat gradually to Nexus S devices in the next few weeks as part of its Android 2.3.4 over-the-air update. The announcement states that It will launch on other Android 2.3+ devices “in the future”.
Google has put together a video to go along with today’s announcement, which we’ve embedded below.
Story byMike Vardy
Mike Vardy is a husband, father, independent writer, speaker, podcaster and “productivityist”. He is also the author of the book, The Front(show all)Mike Vardy is a husband, father, independent writer, speaker, podcaster and “productivityist”. He is also the author of the book,The Front Nine: How To Start The Year You Want Anytime You Want, published by Diversion Books. You can learn more about his other work at his website,MikeVardy.com, visit his blog atProductivityist.com, and you can follow him as@mikevardyon Twitter.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
