Google TalK

Google TalK

Google Talk is an instant messaging service that provides both text and voice communication.^[1][2] The instant messaging service is colloquially known as "gchat" to its users, although Google does not endorse this name.^[3]

Google Talk is also the name of the client applications offered by Google to access the service. Google Talk applications are available for Microsoft Windows^[1] (XP, Server 2003, Vista, and Windows 7), Android, Blackberry,^[4] and Google Chrome OSoperating systems.^[5] A Google Talk web app was previously available for Android, but has been discontinued. The native Android version still exists^[6]

Because the Google Talk servers communicate with clients using an open protocol, Extensible Messaging and Presence ProtocolXMPP, the service can also be accessed using any other client that supports XMPP. Such clients are available for a number of operating systems not supported by the Google Talk client.^[1]

Google Talk uses extensions to XMPP for voice/video signaling and peer-to-peer communication. As of August 2012, Google Talk’s implementation differs slightly from the draft XMPP Jingle specifications. In 2012, Google stated that an update was under way.