Google Instant Messenger?
The Times has an article today about just what Google is up to. It mentions the new Google Desktop, which will have Dashboard-style widgets, and a possible Google smart phone, and even IM:
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.
If any company has the power to take a chunk off of AOL’s chokehold on the instant message market, to mix a few metaphors, it’s Google. I’m more optimistic about their chances here than I am about their chances in taking on Microsoft. (via)
UPDATE: Google Instant Messenger, indeed. Information has already leaked about it, and you can even get online right now! It’s based on an existing protocol called Jabber, so if you use Trillian or iChat or Adium or any of the other programs that support Jabber, you’re good to go. Expect an official announcement tomorrow from the big G. I’m jazzdb (at gmail.com).