October 17, 2005
Internet Mergers
:Yahoo and Microsoft announced this week that they would combine their two instant messaging networks to allow interactivity and cooperation. The IM market has mainly been a closed system with members of each network only able to communicate with those on that network. The combined size of Yahoo/Microsoft would nearly equal the size of the popular AOL IM service. Meanwhile, AOL is rumored to be open for sale. Microsoft, Yahoo, Comcast, and Google have all inquired into purchasing the former dominant ISP.
(Filed under: Science / Technology, Google, Computers, Yahoo, Microsoft)
August 27, 2005
Review: Google Talk
:In a word – slick. Google’s latest offering (they also released a second version of their Google Desktop Search, which I have not been able to spend enough time with) again suggests the company knows what people want. Tired of pop-ups and cluttered IM interfaces? Tired of sound effects constantly? Google Talk is the answer. It even offers a basic version of VoiP phone calls with pretty good sound quality. While the program is tied to its Gmail email service, it utilizes open formats that will allow you to use other clients other than Google Talk to chat with your friends. If only AOL’s popular AIM service would do the same.
Google Talk requires a Gmail account. If you would like to be invited to the service, email Tim at timfry@timfryreport.com.