Google adds voice and video to Google Talk on Android smartphones

Although, sadly, the new additions will only be available for Nexus S phones (Nexus One phones don’t have a front facing camera) it will likely create waves in the smartphone market as it offers yet another way for users to communicate with one another using their data network, rather than the cell channel, which means users can talk with other users without using any of their voice minutes.

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Google announced the update on their blog and says that the updates will happen over the air, over the next few weeks (for 2.3.4 phones; other 2.3+ devices will have to wait for a future update). The new feature will work with both Wi-Fi and 3/4G Wireless networks (upping the stakes for Facetime which only works with Wi-Fi). Once updated, users will find a video or voice chat button next to their contacts on their contacts list. To connect, all they’ll need to do is click the button.

Once updated, users of Nexus S phones will be able to video and voice chat as well as text with other Nexus S phone users; they’ll also be able to do the same with those running Google Talk on their PC or with tablet users running Honeycomb. Text messages will be overlaid on the video screen and video can be paused while other apps are run (the audio keeps going).

Clearly Google, still the new player in town, is serious about its venture into the smartphone market, and will continue to add functionality to Android as it moves from a follower, to a leader in the field.

More information: http://googlemobil … d-phone.html

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