Google Enters the Peer to Peer VoIP Arena

Internet giant Google’s latest foray into the VoIP/IM communications market is known as Google Talk, and although still in beta, it promises to be a very interesting new kid on the block. Based on the open source Jingle protocol, Google Talk is a peer to peer technology, similar to Skype, and is designed to interoperate with any server using the XMPP/Jabber protocol. As of this writing, the Google Talk version is 1.0.0.104 and is purported to work with iChat, Trillian, GAIM, PSI and Adium, although all services may not be functionable.

The beta version does not use the widely accepted SIP standard for call setup and tear down, and thus communications are not encrypted end to end. Plans are to integrate SIP in the general release. Google states on it’s website that “Google Talk is not a telephony service and cannot be used for emergency dialing.”

As in all things Google, downloading and installing the software is a breeze, and the various user interfaces are simple and uncluttered. For now, users are required to have either aGmail account or a Google account, (if you don’t have one, you can sign up right there at the start page) the user id and password of either serving as the credentials for Google Talk. Once downloaded, the application will run in the background and be started on every reboot, an option which can be changed in the settings menu.

For those who sign up with a Gmail account, your contact list will be automatically loaded into Google Talk, and those friends in the list that are already signed up for Google Talk are indicated as such with an icon next to their name. You can also invite any of your friends with an email account (it doesn’t have to be Gmail) to sign up for Google Talk. Just type in their address and Google will send them an invitation from you via email. Conversely, if another Google Talk user wants to add you as a friend, you will see a notice at the top of the screen.

Google Talk allows you to indicate your availability, or presence, with a simple drop down menu at the top of the screen. You can add a customized message that others will see when mousing over your name, and you can even show them what music you are currently playing if using one of the supported players.

Clicking on a name in the list will open the chat window, where you can send instant messages, or if you are using your Gmail credentials, you can send an email by clicking on the mail icon next to their name. To make a voice call, click on the call button at the top of the chat window, or click on the phone icon next to a name directly in the friends list. When chatting, you can have as many active windows as you want. With phone calls you can open multiple windows, but only one can be active while the others are on hold. No conference calling yet!

File sharing is also available in the chat window, either through the send files button, or the drop down menu in the top right corner. Choose the file on your disk, and after the recipient agrees to accept the file, it will be sent over Googles peer to peer network.

For users signing in with a Gmail account, you can also send a voice mail to friends who are unavailable at the moment. Voice mails are done through the profile card, and once recorded, are sent to the recipients email box as an mp3 attachment.

Google Talk also allows one or both parties to go off the record while chatting, meaning that nothing is saved in either persons Gmail account. Google will notify both parties anytime an off the record change takes place.

The settings window is where you can customize the look and feel of Google Talk. Options available include adding or changing fonts and pictures, chat themes, blocked contacts, notifications, and audio settings, to name a few.

The beta version of Google Talk is admittedly pretty limited in what it can do, being basically a IM chat, voice, and file sharing app on a peer to peer network. What Google’s plans are for this project is the subject of much speculation in the industry. Google itself says it is working to add more services and functionality, but they won’t say exactly what.

Google has been a staunch supporter of the Net Neutrality Act, and rightly so, as they stand to lose a lot if the telco’s and cable companies are able to charge large bandwidth users for using their pipes. Back in 2005, it was reported that Google was buying up large amounts of dark fiber, fiber that was laid in the telecommunications boom of the 1990′s, but never put to use. Could Google be planning it’s own VoIP network?

Clients for Google Talk are available for BlackBerry and the Nokia 770 handheld device, and more are sure to follow. Their relationship with service provider VoIP Inc. could help bridge the P2P landline gap, allowing users to call off network numbers in the public exchange, and provide additional functions such as virtual phone numbers and 911 emergency service capability.

One project that Google is working on is making audio files searchable. If successful, this project could open up a whole range of possibilities and pitfalls for businesses, consumers, and regulators. Questions of privacy, wiretapping laws, obtaining warrants for suspect calls all will come into play, and could eventually lead to congressional action regulating the VoIP Industry.

Whatever Google has in mind, they certainly have the wherewithal to do it. It should be very interesting to see how Google’s venture into the VoIP market plays out.