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Google IM on the way?

Sun, 10/17/2004 - 18:41 — charlie.collins

In 5 years Google will own the universe (in a more obvious way ;)).

It seems some folks examined the code of the recently released Google Desktop Search stuff and found a few references to an already alluded to Google Instant Messaging app.

There are some more details, see the linked news.com article.   Will Google say hello to IM?

Comments

Sun, 10/17/2004 - 23:11 — anonymous (not verified)

RE: Google IM on the way?

Q: How many Microsoft techs does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None; they'll just redefine darkness as the industry standard.

Tue, 10/19/2004 - 06:51 — Phil McKrackin (not verified)

RE: Google IM on the way?

While I'm always happy to see an anti-Microsoft comment, I fail to see how this relates to the story.

I'm not sure that the world needs yet another IM service. With the questionable privacy settings in Google's Desktop Search, it's probably a good idea to expect ads based on your conversations (which may be cached at the servers to get a good profile of you and your habits.)

Wed, 10/20/2004 - 14:15 — atrox (not verified)

RE: Google IM on the way?

I took the above comment as just a joke in general.

As to Google privacy concerns, I just dont get all that hype. Yeah if you enable the IM conversations or any other part they will likely index it, yet all this does is display text ads that you dont have to click on for a service you dont have to use?

Same for gmail. Several states have even stepped in (Cali and I think some others) to try to LEGISLATE gmail because it indexes your mail for the stupid ads. This is one of those non issue issues, as most are nowadays it seems, if you have concerns (which may or may not be valid) then do not use it, but its insane to get upset with Google about it and even more insane to say we need to legislate that they cant do whatever they want with their apps (and I am just saying this in general, not directed at you PM).

Thu, 10/21/2004 - 07:20 — Phil McKrackin (not verified)

RE: Google IM on the way?

I never said that we should legislate it, and I'm not in favor of it at all. Government should stay out whenever possible.

With security problems all over the place, Google's cache of information will wind up getting compromised. What horrible things might a person be able to do with it? Possibly nothing. It's possible there is no bad outcome from someone peeking in my windows at night, but I don't want it to happen.

Aside from questionable privacy practices, I'm just wondering what Google's IM could possibly bring to the table that the others have not yet.

Thu, 10/21/2004 - 11:47 — atrox (not verified)

RE: Google IM on the way?

Yeah I know you never said we should legislate, thats why I tried to explain that my comment wasnt aimed at you. I just meant in general as there seems to be a lot of hysteria about it (gmail mostly) and legislation has come up.

I am not sure how there IM might be better but if I were doing it I might make it interoperable with other systems and then integrate it with other products (gmail, picassa, desktop search, etc). I am not sure about the legality of the interoperable thing but I think it would HELP popularity of a particular IM (like Trillian which isnt even its own IM, and like Jabber) to be such, rather than trying to protect some proprietary outlook.

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