Information Madness

Google today introduced a new feature that will convert your gmail into a video and audio channel where you can see and hear your friends/family while you communicate with them.

The feature is called Gmail Video and voice Chat. Gmail Video and Voice chat uses its proprietary plugin and not the flash. The download is 2MB of size and supports Windows XP or later (Firefox, IE and Chrome). Support for Linux is not available for now but may be come later.

Once the software is installed, Gmail users will be given the option to see and hear each other without leaving the e-mail application.

Gmail Video and Voice will be made available to all Gmail users starting Tuesday at noon PST. Global rollout should be complete by the end of the day.

To see if you have it, open a chat with someone (you don't actually have to message them). If your account is video-enabled, at the lower left of the chat window, there will be an interface element labeled "Video & more." When you click on that it will walk you through installing the plug-in. If you want to make a video call to someone who hasn't yet installed the plug-in, you'll be able to invite them to do so. (In my early test of the service, this feature wasn't yet enabled).


Check out the Gmail Video And Voice Chat "Learn More" Video below