Video Chat in Gmail

Video chat is not a reality in Google's Gmail. Some might say, "took them long enough", but why be petty now that the app you want is here. If you did not want it, then you probobly are not going to pay attention to this announcement anyway. The real benefit here is the seamless integration of video chat into Gmail. With the rise of web cams, especially those coming built in to laptops, this feature is sure to be widely used. It even works if only one person has a web cam, but it would obviously be a one way video chat. Give it a try.


http://googleblog.blogspot.com
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/talk-face-to-face-right-from-within.html

"Video chatting from Gmail is as easy as sending an instant message. With our team spread out across Google offices in Sweden and the U.S., it's been really handy in helping us work together. Just click on the new "Video & more" menu in a Gmail chat window and select "Start video chat" or "Start voice chat." You can switch to a full screen view or pop out the chat window and change the size and positioning as you wish. Of course, not everyone has a webcam, but even if you don't, you can still have voice conversations alongside your email and regular chat."


http://gmailblog.blogspot.com
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/say-hello-to-gmail-voice-and-video-chat.html

"We've tried to make this an easy-to-use, seamless experience, with high-quality audio and video -- all for free. All you have to do is download and install the voice and video plugin and we take care of the rest. And in the spirit of open communications, we designed this feature using Internet standards such as XMPP, RTP, and H.264, which means that third-party applications and networks can choose to interoperate with Gmail voice and video chat.

Once you install the plugin, to start a video chat, just click on the "Video & more" menu at the bottom of your Gmail chat window, and choose "Start video chat." You'll have a few seconds to make sure you look presentable while it's ringing, and then you'll see and hear your friend live, right from within Gmail. You can click the "pop-out" iconto make the video larger, or click the fullscreen iconin the upper left-hand corner for a fully immersive experience."