Google Talk was launched on public beta this morning, and seeing as the very meaning of beta is that we’re allowed to dissect it’s every flaw and annoyance (and some good things too), that’s what I’m gonna do.

Good point number one - it’s so lightweight, both visually and technically speaking. Using MSN Messenger as comparison, open both apps up and place them next to each other. Sure, Talk is missing a variety of Messenger features, but how many do you miss? It looks clean, retro even.

Comparing the memory usage also yields Google-positive results. When signed in and dormant, Talk uses around 3,000K on my system. Messenger, 22,000. Google 1, Microsoft 0.

Next, the voice call capabilities. The sound quality is like nothing I’ve heard before. Your recipient sounds like they’re in the same room - that may have been between two broadband connections, but it was impressive compared to other free services. You can also broadcast music to them if you follow this guide.

Another quick good point is the ability to send a message to an offline contact, as with other services such as ICQ.

The lightweight thing does mean it’s very short on features, but as I said, who misses them? I certainly don’t miss memory heavy MSN things such as tabs, MSN Today, advertisements and ‘personal messages’.

Google have also added something that I now notice was sorely missed on MSN Messenger. Tabbed conversations. Sometimes you can have 5 or 6 windows open, each with different recipients. Should you be talking to 2 people on GTalk, the conversations will be in the same window, tabbed vertically. Great stuff.

There are a few improvements Google could add to the next version, though.

With the Jabber protocol Google is using for Talk, they have the opportunity to let people add MSN, AIM etc. contacts. That would definitely be a bonus, although may obviously affect Google’s threat of world domination.

I also wasn’t alerted when I recieved new mail, but maybe that was just me.

No display pictures, backgrounds, emoticons. What am I talking about, that’s a damn good point..

Google have officially released Google Talk in beta this morning, proving huge speculation yesterday that it was about to happen.

Their ‘big thing’ is the apparently high quality voice capabilities.

It looks like a pretty normal IM client - although there were rumours that users would be able to chat with MSN Messenger and AIM users too, you can’t. You need a GMail account to use it.

However, anyone who wants one, just contact me - I have about 50 invites. Maybe then you can add me and I can try talking to someone!

Update: here’s a very quick guide to broadcasting your music over Google Talk to others.

Update 2: there is already a resource for Google Talk on Wikipedia, with information about a game you can play in GTalk. These people don’t waste time do they!

Update 3: InsideGoogle has a rather good review of Talk, with screenshots and information on how to emded Talk inside the new Google Desktop 2 sidebar.

Google Talk (via BBC)

Just before I pop off to bed, here’s a few links to articles covering the Google Talk speculation that will likely draw to a close tomorrow.

• Smash’s World: “I’m on Google Talk right now”
• E-week: more info from the online business magazine.
• Search Engine Journal: “Is the Google Talk subdomain a decoy to generate buzz around an imaginary Google Messaging product while Google goes off and launches some music download service or Wi-Fi mega ISP?” (good point!)
• ZDNet: “The service has been in testing phase for around a month.”