Google service to blend gmail and chat features

Posted on February 6, 2006 No Comments

NY Times has an article up titled “New Google Service to Blend the Gmail and Chat Features.” Not sure what to make of it, but it appears that some gmail users will get the ability to “Gmail Chat” tomorrow. Dare I aspire?

The new program, called Gmail Chat, will let Gmail users exchange text messages with others without having to log onto a separate chat program, making instant messaging simpler and more integrated with the e-mail program.

From anywhere in Gmail, the user can see who is available to chat. The program will also allow users to store instant-message conversations.

As usual, I’m intrigued and — until I see it — pretty dang confused. Nothing at the official google blog yet, but I guess we should watch it tomorrow. I’ll confess, I have a mental “design document” on how this should work. If I’m on the right track, this will be incredible… but, I have to confess, what happens in my “mental design room” isn’t always so great in the real world.

[edit]
How about a picture from the Gmail Help?

[edit redux]
The google blog finally posted a bit more info about this.

Tags: gmail, google, google-talk, im