Google Talk Reviewed

So you're sick and tired of AOL Instant Messenger.know about the service and offering a download link.
You're looking for something fresh and new that willThis makes it really easy to convince your friends to
just work. Well Google feels the same way. Onmake the switch.Another feature that is greatly
Wednesday August 24th they released their versionappreciated in Google Talk is the way it works
of AIM, Google Talk.Although Google Talk and AIMdirectly with Gmail. You can add people on your
do basically the same thing, Google Talk is verycontacts to the service within the Google Talk
different. For starters anyone can join AIM, in orderinterface, plus it will notify you when a new email has
to use Google Talk you need to have a Gmailbeen received. You can also go directly to your Gmail
account. AIM will also let you make a profile, Googleinbox via a link from the interface.This next feature
Talk you can't. However there are more features onwon't mean much to the average user, but to some
Google Talk that are left out in AIM.Google Talk'smisfortunate geeks with low RAM it may. Google
main feature is being able to call friends that are onTalk consumes around 3MB of RAM. AOL Instant
your list. Call means being able to talk through aMessenger takes around 9MB. If you have a lot of
microphone to them and they respond through theirs,other programs open and you can't afford to waste
much like the service Skype. There is a similarRAM Google Talk will work great.Google Talk is also
feature in the current version of AIM; however it'smuch cleaner looking than AIM. There are no ads and
not as easy to use.Let's say you're talking tono added crap like a stock ticker or news ticker.
someone in the conversation window. You decideHowever the one thing that I'd like to see in Google
that this conversation would work a lot better overTalk is notifications that tell you when someone logs
the phone. Well don't get up and dial a number, simplyon or off. This feature has been available in AIM for
plug in the microphone and headphones and guessabout 2 years.There some other things that could be
what you're connected, just like a phone. All youenhanced. In the settings menu I'd like to see a
have to do is press the "Call" button in the window,setting to customize how often it checks the Gmail
you'll hear a dial tone, and when the other usermailbox, customize sounds, and more customization
accepts you're connected.At the top of the window,for notifications.Staying on the topic of customization
when call is activated, you'll see a volume meter forI'd like to see, in later versions, the option to add
your friend and one for you. All it takes is a click of acategories in your friends list. Something so you could
button, how easy is that?The other easy thing aboutput all your family under one list, friends under the
Google Talk is the simplicity behind making aothers and so on.Overall I wouldn't rush out and
customized message. When you're online you'll have adownload Google Talk quite yet. Right now I'd think
small snippet under your name. You can customizethat it would be more convenient to corporations so
that to whatever you want, that could be consideredthat employees can interact with each other. It won't
somewhat of a profile. You can also see peoples'take down AIM, because AIM is just too popular, but
away messages right under their name. Making anit might steal some Yahoo! Messenger or MSN
away message is just as simple as changing the textusers.This article was originally posted on this is the
under your name. Just go to the drop down list underfull article, screen shots are avilable at offers just
your name in the window (not the friends list) and goabout everything. We've got music, games, on
to the "Custom Message" with the red circle next todemand video, podcasts, sports, and of course
it.Google has also added a feature to make it easiertechnology.If you've got a tech problem we also
to sign up for the service. When you select to add aoffer a technology podcast and a detailed Help
friend you can insert an email address that isn't aCenter with answers to just about anything.
Gmail one. All it does is email the person letting them