Google IM to be Unveiled Wednesday

[Spike]

By John Markoff, New York Times
August 22, 2005
Google executives say they plan to unveil on Wednesday a "communications tool" that is potentially a clear step beyond the company's search-related business focus.

While executives would not disclose what the new software tool might be, Google has long been expected to introduce an instant messaging service to compete with services offered by America Online, Yahoo and MSN from Microsoft.


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[Jeff]

Good find, Spike. Anyone hear any rumblings on this?

The way the New York Times article is worded, it sounds as if there is a product. That seems highly unlikely, however. It's probably more accurate to say that they will announce a "communications tool" rather than unveil one.

[DrBroccoli]

Ah yes, nice find there Spikey ;). I am anxious to see what it is, if annouced. School starts that day so I might sneak to the library or something to check the computers :woot:.

[Jeff]

Rumors about Google IM have abounded for ages. Some say it would be based on Jabber, as indicated by this alleged screenshot of Google Messenger. Then there were rumors about Google purchasing Meetro.

Of course, Google already has an IM product called Hello, but everyone seems to forget that fact -- probably because it's proprietary and doesn't interoperate with any of the IM networks that matter.

I constantly have people contacting me swearing that Google Messenger exists, and yet none have been able to produce it.

The bottom line is, the NYT is a reputable publication (Jayson Blair scandal aside), and if they say Google plans to unveil something on Wednesday, Google probably will. After all, they need something to do with the extra 4 billion dollars they plan to raise by issuing more stock.

EDIT: A name has been leaked! Look for Google Talk!