Hubbry Logo
Google TalkGoogle TalkMain
Open search
Google Talk
Community hub
Google Talk
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Google Talk
Google Talk
Google Talk
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Google Talk
DeveloperGoogle
Initial releaseAugust 24, 2005; 20 years ago (2005-08-24)
Final releaseWindows Plugin:
3.19.1.13088 (May 14, 2013; 12 years ago (2013-05-14)) [±]
Preview releaseGoogle Talk Labs Edition [±]
Operating system
List
SuccessorGoogle Hangouts
Available inEnglish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Spanish
TypeVoIP/instant messaging client
LicenseProprietary software
Websiteweb.archive.org/web/20130514014126/http://www.google.com/talk/ Edit this on Wikidata

Google Talk was an instant messaging service that provided both text and voice communication.[1] The instant messaging service was variously referred to colloquially as Gchat, Gtalk, or Gmessage among its users.[2]

Google Talk was also the name of the client applications previously offered by Google to use the service. Google Talk applications were available for Microsoft Windows,[3] Android,[4] BlackBerry OS,[5] BlackBerry 10[5] and ChromeOS[6] operating systems. A Google Talk mobile web app had also been previously available.[7] In February 2015, the Windows client was discontinued and ceased to work, with Google recommending users to use Google Hangouts instead.[8][9] Users of Windows client were instructed to migrate to the Google Hangouts app on the Chrome browser platform.[10] Currently, Google is migrating its users from Google Hangouts, to Google Chat and Google Meet.

Features

[edit]

Product integration

[edit]

Google Talk was integrated into Gmail where users could send instant messages to other Gmail users. As it worked within a browser, the Google Talk client did not need to be downloaded to send instant messages to Gmail users.

Conversation logs were automatically saved to a "Chats" area in the user's Gmail account. This allowed users to search their chat logs and have them centrally stored in their Gmail accounts. For a long time, it was not possible to directly download chat logs that were not attached to an email conversation,[11][12] although some workarounds had been found.[13][14] However, on September 15, 2011, Google announced a new feature of its Google Takeout program that allows users to download chat logs via IMAP.[15]

Google also integrated Google Talk with Orkut. This enabled Google Talk users to interact with registered Orkut users, by sending and receiving "scraps" within Orkut. Orkut has since been shut down.

Google Talk Gadget was a web-based module that could be embedded in iGoogle (since discontinued) and other web pages, allowing text chat with users of Google Talk.[16] This functionality was at some point[when?] discontinued without any real announcement, likely in the face of the release of the Google Hangouts services.[citation needed]

Google+ was integrated into Google Talk. In the standalone client and the Google Talk widget embedded into Gmail and Google+, Google+ contacts appeared in the contacts list; their respective circles were shown in Google+'s iteration of the widget. Google+ has since been shut down.

Voice and Video

[edit]

It was possible to place and receive phone calls from within Gmail by using Google Talk. In order to receive calls, however, the user had to upgrade to a full Google Voice account.[17] Initially, users outside of the US could not upgrade to a full Google Voice account or receive phone calls in Gmail.[18] (Outbound calling through Gmail did not require Google Voice and was available in many countries outside the US.)[19] Google Talk allowed users to leave a voicemail for a contact whether or not they were signed into Google Talk.[20] Messages could be up to 10 minutes long and users could choose to have them sent to their Gmail inbox. Messages could be sent with or without first ringing the recipient's phone number.

Google also provided a Voice and Video Chat browser plugin for Google Talk[21] (not to be confused with the standalone Google Talk client) that supported voice and video chat between Gmail users.[22] The plugin was available for Windows (XP, Vista, and 7), Mac OS X (only on Intel-based Macs),[23] and Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and OpenSUSE packages available, but the binaries worked on other systems).[24] The plugin had to be downloaded and installed, but otherwise seamlessly integrated into the Gmail interface.

Encryption

[edit]

The connection between the Google Talk client and the Google Talk server was encrypted, except when using Gmail's chat over HTTP, a federated network that didn't support encryption, or when using a proxy like IMLogic.[citation needed] End-to-end messages were unencrypted. Some XMPP clients natively supported encryption with Google Talk's servers. It was possible to have end-to-end encryption over the Google Talk network using OTR (off-the-record) encryption using other chat clients like Adium (for Mac) or Pidgin (for Linux and Windows).

Google's version of "Off the Record" was not OTR (off-the-record) encryption. Enabling "off the record" inside Gmail's Chat turned off logging of messages, but did not enable encryption.

Offline messaging

[edit]

On November 1, 2006, Google introduced offline messaging to Google Talk. This allowed users to send messages to their contacts, even if they were not signed in. They would receive the messages when they next went online even if the user who had sent it was offline. This only worked between Gmail-accounts, not between Google Talk servers and other XMPP servers.[25]

Mobile device compatibility

[edit]

On June 30, 2006, Nokia released new software for their Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, that included Google Talk as one of the compatible VoIP clients, because of the XMPP-based software.[26] Another Google Talk-compatible device was Sony's mylo, released on September 15, 2006. A Google Talk client was also available for BlackBerry devices from the BlackBerry site.[27] Google Talk support was also integrated into Google Android devices, but did not support voice and video calls below Android version 2.3.4. This was released in April 2011 for the Google Nexus S.[28]

However, given that Google Talk provided XMPP protocol, most mobile phones for which a suitable XMPP client existed[29] could also offer Google Talk service, at least theoretically (depending on the handset, the user may have encounter security warnings because of unsigned Java ME MIDlets or limits put in place by the mobile service provider). Mobile clients specially designed for Google Talk existed as well.[30]

Most phones supported the IMPS protocol, and there was hybrid XMPP/IMPS networks (through XMPP transports, or specially designed hybrid servers),[31] which could also contact Google Talk users. The Google Talk service itself was unusable from IMPS (that means, one could not log with their Gmail account, but they could talk with their Gmail friends with their IMPS account from their mobile phone).[clarification needed]

For most smartphones, including Symbian-based as well as Android, third-party applications such as Nimbuzz and Fring included support for Google Talk accounts, including VoIP calls.

Text formatting

[edit]

Google Talk did not provide the user with a menu for text formatting. Nevertheless, Google Talk did support some text formatting features like making text bold and italic. To write a message in bold, a user could type the required text between two asterisks (*), for example, *this text would be bold in Google Talk*. Similarly for making text italic, one could put text between underscores (_) and for strike-through in text content, one could put text in between dashes (-). This only functioned in some of the Google native tools, and did not always function as expected when received from other XMPP clients.

History

[edit]
A screenshot showing the Google Talk, Labs Edition preview release

2005

[edit]

On August 22, 2005, The New York Times reported a rumor of a Google-branded "communications tool" service[32] and the Los Angeles Times provided details. Subsequently, the subdomain talk.google.com was found to have an active XMPP server.[33] Two methods of logging into the server were discovered soon after and the ensuing response by eager bloggers revealed to numerous others how to log in before the official release by Google.

On the evening of August 23, many logged-in users using port 5222 to connect were disconnected and unable to log back in. Users using port 5223 to connect were still able to log in, and at 04:12:52 UTC those users received a broadcast instant message from gmail.com, an apparently official username used by Google to communicate with their user base, that stated "The broken link has been fixed. Thanks for being our first users!" Port 5222-connectivity was found to have been re-enabled. On August 24, Google Talk was officially launched.

On December 15, 2005, Google released libjingle,[34] a C++ library to implement Jingle, "a set of extensions to the IETF's Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) for use in voice over IP (VoIP), video, and other peer-to-peer multimedia sessions."[35] Libjingle is a library of the code that Google uses for peer-to-peer communication, and was made available under a BSD license.[36]

2006

[edit]

In 2006, Google reported that they were working on adding new features such as supporting SIP in a future release, which would broaden the userbase for the program.[37]

On January 17, 2006, Google enabled server-to-server communications, federating itself with any XMPP server that supported the dialback protocol.[38]

On February 7, 2006, Gmail received chat functionality,[39] using Ajax for server–browser communication, and was integrated with Google Talk. It also added the ability to chat with a built-in XMPP client. Furthermore, the newly added function led to users nicknaming it GChat.[40]

In August 2006, Google and eBay announced that they would look into making Google Talk users able to communicate with Skype: "The companies will also explore interoperability between Skype and Google Talk via open standards to enable text chat and online presence."[41] However, with Microsoft's acquisition of Skype on May 10, 2011, such interoperability was suspended between Google and eBay.[42]

Google integrated Google Talk with Orkut on November 8, 2006.

2007

[edit]

On March 14, 2007, Google released the Google Talk Gadget, an Adobe Flash-based Talk module that could be added to iGoogle (formally the Google Personalized Homepage) or embedded in any web page, thus, allowing chat from any operating system which was supported by Adobe Flash Player as long as Adobe Flash Player was installed.[43]

A screen shot was posted on May 18, 2007, as part of the Google Apps presentation, showing some phone integration in Google Talk.[44] On March 2, 2008. a Google engineer confirmed they had been using it internally for some time.[45]

On November 26, 2007, Google Talk released Group Chat capabilities. Before this, users could chat with only one person per window. Group chat allowed many users to chat with each other in an environment similar to IRC.

On December 6, 2007, Google upgraded its Gmail integrated chat to include AOL Instant Messenger chat capability. This allowed Gmail users to sign into the AIM chat service and communicate with any AIM user while still being signed on to the Google Talk service. The Google Talk gadget and client had not been upgraded to enable this feature, and no announcement had been made as to when it would be made available.

2008

[edit]

On February 25, 2008, Google added a feature called "Chatback", which allowed a Google Talk account owner to chat with people who did not have one. The account owner first had to create a badge, which could be included in webpages. This badge showed the current availability of the owner. Clicking on the badge resulted in a chat request notification to the owner who could respond by clicking on the specified URL. During the conversation, both parties had to use the Google Talk Gadget and both parties remained anonymous to each other, even the Google Account name of the owner was not revealed to the other peer.

On November 11, 2008, Google Chat (voice and video chat) was launched enabling computer to computer voice and video chat.[21] Clues from one of the first Google Chrome builds in December 2008 suggested that a new Talk client was in the works.[46]

As XMPP Jingle specifications[47] became a Draft Standard, Google updated libjingle to version 0.5.1[48] and stated that "Google Talk is in the process of being updated to be in full compliance with the Jingle specifications."[49]

Google had a version of Google Talk called Google Talk, Labs Edition, though it lacked many features of Google Talk's other releases.[50]

2012

[edit]

On April 20, 2012, Google announced that it was shutting down the mobile web app for Google Talk.[51]

In June 2012, Google announced that they were planning to revamp the chat experience by merging Google Talk with Hangouts and Google Messenger to reduce confusion and fragmentation.[52]

2013

[edit]

At the Google I/O Conference 2013 Google announced that they were replacing Google Talk, Google+ Messenger and the original Google+ Hangout video chat service with Google+ Hangouts.[53]

On May 15, 2013, Google's manager of real-time communication products, Nikhyl Singhal, stated at Google I/O that the move to Google+ Hangouts would mean that XMPP (the protocol that allowed Google Talk to interoperate with other vendors and applications) will not be supported in Hangouts. Mr. Singhal stated that as long as Google Talk was available, 3rd party clients could be expected to continue to work.[54]

2014

[edit]

On October 30, 2014, Google announced on their Apps Updates blog that "The Google Talk app for Windows will continue to work for approximately two months before being turned off".[9]

2015

[edit]

On February 3, 2015, Google sent a system message to users stating, "Google Talk app for Windows will stop working on Feb 16, 2015. It is replaced by the new Hangouts Chrome app."

On February 13, 2015, Google developer Mayur Kamat posted a clarification that XMPP service relied-on by third-party chat apps would continue after the deprecation of the Windows-specific Google Talk client.[55]

After Google officially stopped supporting Google Talk for Windows on February 23, 2015, the application continued to function normally during an apparent grace period lasting until February 28. As of that date, connection attempts returned an error message stating "Username and password do not match." Those users received a notification e-mail stating, in part: "We noticed you recently tried using the Google Talk app for Windows. We wanted to let you know that this was discontinued on February 23rd, 2015. We recommend giving Hangouts a try so you can chat with all your Google contacts."

The Google Talk for Windows application would purportedly still work by connecting through applications using the Jabber protocol including Pidgin and Gajim but could not connect directly through Google or Gmail.[56]

2017

[edit]

The Google Talk App for Android and the Google Chat tool in Gmail were discontinued on June 26, 2017, and no longer functioned.[57][58][59] Users could still continue to use third-party XMPP clients to connect to the legacy Google talk server, but only for 1-on-1 chat with Hangouts users.[58][60]

2022

[edit]

In May 2022, Google announced that the ability to connect to Google Talk using third-party apps, which were the only remaining way to connect to Google Talk, would be shut down on June 16, 2022, rendering the service defunct.[61]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Google Talk

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Google Talk was a free instant messaging and voice over (VoIP) service developed by , launched on August 24, 2005, as a downloadable Windows application for Gmail users that enabled text-based chatting and computer-to-computer voice calls using open standards. It utilized the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), an open-source protocol based on Jabber, allowing interoperability with third-party clients like and , and federation with other services such as EarthLink's Vling. The service featured a simple, ad-free interface, shared contacts from Gmail, and high-quality audio requiring only a microphone and speakers, with initial availability limited to U.S. Gmail users who could sign up via mobile phone verification. In November 2008, Google expanded Google Talk's capabilities by integrating voice and video chat directly into the web interface, requiring a small browser plugin for high-quality, free computer-to-computer conversations worldwide. This update allowed users to initiate video calls seamlessly from their inbox, enhancing its utility for personal and collaborative communication without additional software beyond the initial download. Over the years, Google Talk became deeply embedded in Google's ecosystem, powering chat features in and extending to mobile devices, including Android integration starting in 2008 with support and voice and video added in 2011 on compatible hardware like the . Despite its popularity—often referred to as Gchat—Google began phasing out Google Talk in favor of newer unified communication platforms. In 2013, Google introduced Hangouts as a successor, which absorbed many of Talk's features including group messaging and video calling. By March 2017, Google announced the retirement of the standalone Google Talk app for Android and its Gmail integration, prompting users to migrate to Hangouts, with the service fully discontinued on June 26, 2017. Support for third-party XMPP clients persisted until June 16, 2022, when Google completely shut down the service, recommending a switch to for ongoing messaging and collaboration needs. This marked the end of an era for one of Google's earliest forays into real-time communication, which had influenced the evolution of subsequent tools like and Chat.

Overview

Launch and Initial Purpose

Google Talk was announced on August 24, 2005, as a freeware instant messaging service developed by to provide users with real-time text and voice communication capabilities. The service was built on the open XMPP protocol, enabling interoperability with other compatible clients and emphasizing 's commitment to open standards for broader accessibility and federation with external networks. The initial purpose of Google Talk centered on integrating seamless communication directly into the Gmail ecosystem, allowing Google account holders to connect effortlessly using their existing contacts list without the need for separate registrations. Designed with simplicity and reliability in mind, it aimed to deliver an ad-free experience focused on high-quality interactions, including (VoIP) functionality from its inception to support free calling between users equipped with microphones and speakers. This approach contrasted with many contemporaries by prioritizing user privacy and openness, such as through planned with services like EarthLink's Vling and Sipphone's Gizmo Project. Launched in beta on the same day as the announcement, Google Talk was initially available as a downloadable client for Windows users, with immediate access granted to all Gmail account holders in the United States via the Gmail sign-up process. Google outlined plans for cross-platform support by leveraging the XMPP standard, which allowed compatibility with third-party applications like iChat, GAIM, Trillian, , and Psi, thereby extending reach beyond the native Windows application from the outset. This beta rollout underscored the service's foundational goal of fostering reliable, global connectivity while maintaining a straightforward, intuitive interface free from intrusive elements.

Core Components and User Base

Google Talk's core components encompassed a range of access points designed for seamless and voice communication using the XMPP protocol. The primary desktop client, initially released for Microsoft Windows in August 2005, provided a lightweight application for text chatting and voice calls on personal computers. Complementing this was the Google Talk Gadget, a web-based module introduced in 2007 that allowed users to embed chat functionality directly into personalized homepages like without requiring a download. Web-based access was further enhanced through integration with in February 2006, enabling sidebar chats for Gmail users and extending compatibility to Jabber networks. Mobile support began with the launch of a dedicated app for devices in January 2006, marking Google's first official mobile client for over public XMPP networks and broadening accessibility beyond desktop environments. This was followed by web-based mobile options, such as an iPhone-compatible version in 2008. The service emphasized cross-platform compatibility, allowing federation with other XMPP providers from its inception in January 2006. The user base experienced rapid growth in its initial years, largely driven by its tight integration with Gmail, which eliminated the need for separate signups and leveraged Gmail's expanding audience. By September 2006, Google Talk was opened to non-Gmail users, further accelerating adoption. This seamless linkage contributed to quick uptake, fueled by the existing Gmail user base. By 2008, Google Talk had grown substantially, benefiting from Gmail's global momentum as the email service reached its milestone of 100 million accounts that year. Accessibility was a of Google Talk, offered free of charge to all holders from the outset, with no advertising cluttering the interface. The service was designed for global availability, supporting connections worldwide via standard and the open XMPP standard, which facilitated use across diverse networks and devices.

Features

Text and Multimedia Messaging

Google Talk's primary function was instant text messaging, enabling real-time conversations between users logged in with their accounts. The service automatically imported contacts from into the buddy list, allowing seamless initiation of chats via a dedicated desktop client. Conversations occurred in dedicated chat windows, supporting multiple simultaneous interactions, with later updates in the Labs Edition introducing tabbed interfaces for efficient of discussions. To enhance expressiveness, Google Talk included support for emoticons, which users could insert using standard text shortcuts like :) for a face; these graphical elements appeared in chats to convey emotions beyond . Basic text formatting was also available through simple markup or keyboard shortcuts, such as surrounding text with asterisks (*) for bold or underscores (_) for italic, enabling users to emphasize key parts of messages without complex tools. Group chat functionality was introduced on November 26, 2007, enabling real-time conversations with multiple participants in a single window. A key convenience feature was offline messaging, introduced on October 31, 2006, which permitted sending messages to contacts who were not currently signed in; these messages were queued on Google's servers and delivered automatically upon the recipient's next . This functionality ensured communication continuity, with offline messages appearing in the recipient's chat history alongside regular exchanges. For multimedia sharing, Google Talk supported direct file transfers initiated from within chat windows, accommodating documents, , and other files without size restrictions imposed by the service itself, though practical limits depended on users' connections. files transferred in this manner often displayed previews in the chat interface, allowing recipients to view thumbnails before accepting the full download. The interface featured a displaying real-time status updates, including options like available, busy, idle, or away, helping users gauge responsiveness before starting a chat. Additionally, a "buzz" notification allowed senders to alert idle contacts by causing the recipient's chat window to vibrate and emit a , drawing attention to unread messages.

Voice and Video Capabilities

Google Talk introduced voice calling capabilities at its launch on August 24, 2005, enabling free PC-to-PC calls via Voice over (VoIP). These calls utilized a proprietary wideband known as iSAC, developed by Global IP Solutions (GIPS), which Google later acquired in 2010, to deliver high-quality, crystal-clear audio suitable for real-time communication. The service supported standard voice s including iLBC and alongside iSAC, ensuring compatibility across various network conditions while prioritizing low latency for seamless conversations. Video chat functionality was added on November 11, 2008, integrated directly into and the Google Talk client, allowing users to initiate one-on-one video sessions with contacts. Initially, this feature required users to install a small browser plugin and have a compatible , supporting platforms such as /Vista, Intel-based Macs, and distributions. Over time, advancements in browser technology enabled improved support through and standards, reducing reliance on plugins for enhanced accessibility in later implementations. Key quality enhancements in both voice and video features stemmed from GIPS technology, including automatic bandwidth adjustment via the adaptive iSAC codec, which dynamically optimized audio transmission based on available network resources to maintain clarity without interruptions. Acoustic echo cancellation was also incorporated to eliminate feedback from speakers and , ensuring natural-sounding interactions, while seamless integration with standard webcams and allowed straightforward setup without additional hardware. Google Talk implemented security measures for voice communications through the (SRTP), which provided for audio calls, added in an update following the 2005 launch. This protocol ensured , , and replay protection for RTP packets during VoIP sessions, protecting against on connections. Despite these advancements, Google Talk's voice and video capabilities were limited to one-on-one sessions throughout its core lifecycle, lacking support for group calls, which were not introduced until the transition to successor services like Hangouts.

Integration with Google Products

Google Talk was deeply integrated with starting in 2006, featuring a dedicated chat sidebar in the web interface that allowed users to initiate and manage conversations directly alongside their inbox, eliminating the need for a separate application. This seamless embedding enhanced productivity by enabling real-time communication within the primary environment, where users could quickly switch between reading messages and chatting with contacts from their . In enterprise environments, Google Talk was a core component of Google Apps (later rebranded as ), providing businesses with an integrated communication tool alongside and . Administrators gained control over Talk usage through the Google Apps control panel, including options to enable or disable the service domain-wide, manage user access, and enforce policies for chat history retention and federation with external XMPP services. This setup supported collaborative workflows for organizations, with Talk's voice and text features complementing email and scheduling tools to facilitate team interactions without additional software installations. Google Talk also connected with other Google services to streamline sharing and notifications. For instance, in 2010, it tied into , Google's short-lived social networking feature, where Buzz updates and notifications could appear within the interface's chat sidebar, allowing users to respond via Talk without navigating away. Users could share videos directly in Talk conversations by pasting links, which often triggered embedded previews for quick viewing within the chat window, enhancing multimedia exchanges among contacts. Similarly, calendar event invites from could be forwarded or shared via Talk chats, enabling recipients to accept or discuss appointments in real time through the integrated ecosystem. For developers, Google Talk offered limited tools primarily through its XMPP-based protocol, allowing third-party applications to connect and embed chat functionality using standard Jabber libraries, though official APIs were basic and focused on and exchange rather than advanced customization. This enabled some embedding of Talk in external apps, such as mobile clients or web services, but with restrictions on features like voice integration until later deprecations in .

Security and Privacy Measures

For text-based messaging, Google Talk relied on (TLS) to encrypt transmissions between the client and Google's servers, safeguarding data in transit from interception. However, this server-mediated approach did not include native (E2EE) for chats, leaving content accessible to Google during storage and processing; experimental E2EE capabilities emerged only in later Google messaging iterations beyond Talk's primary lifespan. Users could leverage privacy features such as invisible mode, which enabled appearing offline to contacts while maintaining activity for selective interactions, along with the ability to block specific contacts to halt incoming messages and calls. Additionally, chat history could be optionally archived and managed within integrated interfaces, allowing users to control retention and visibility of conversation logs. Early reliance on the XMPP protocol for introduced vulnerabilities, including potential man-in-the-middle attacks on server-to-server communications due to the absence of mandatory TLS support between federated domains. These risks were partially addressed via optional integration with the Off-the-Record (OTR) messaging plugin in third-party XMPP clients like and , which added E2EE, , and deniability to text exchanges over Google Talk. In terms of compliance, Google Talk operated under Google's overarching framework, which explicitly stated that content was not scanned or analyzed for , unlike data from search queries or services. This policy emphasized user control over personal communications without commercial exploitation for ads.

Technical Architecture

XMPP Protocol Implementation

Google Talk implemented the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), an open XML-based standard originally developed as Jabber for real-time communication, to enable , presence detection, and across compatible networks. This allowed Google Talk users to exchange messages and presence information with users on external XMPP servers, promoting similar to systems. Specifically, it supported connections with services like Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger through their respective XMPP gateways, facilitating cross-network chatting until Google began restricting in 2013. Google extended the core XMPP specification with proprietary elements to enhance functionality. User identifiers, known as Jabber IDs (JIDs), followed the format [email protected], aligning with Gmail addresses for seamless integration. For voice and video capabilities, Google utilized custom stanzas based on the Jingle protocol (XEP-0166), an XMPP extension for negotiating peer-to-peer media sessions, including session initiation, transport selection, and description of audio/video payloads. These extensions were documented in Google's developer resources and enabled features beyond standard XMPP, such as direct RTP streams for calls. (archived via Wayback Machine) The server-side infrastructure relied on Google's proprietary XMPP servers to manage core operations. Primary endpoints included talk.google.com on port 5222 for client-to-server (c2s) connections, handling user authentication via DIGEST-MD5 or mechanisms, presence subscriptions, roster () synchronization, and message delivery. Server-to-server (s2s) occurred on port 5269, routing stanzas between domains using stream features like TLS for (though not always enforced in early implementations). These servers scaled to support Google's resources for reliability and low latency, leveraging Google's resources for reliability and low latency. Over time, Google's commitment to full XMPP compliance evolved amid shifting priorities. While initial implementations (from 2005) emphasized open federation to build user base through , by 2013, the introduction of Hangouts led to the partial abandonment of s2s federation, confining advanced features like group video to Google's closed ecosystem and blocking most external XMPP traffic. This shift reduced spam risks but limited third-party client support, culminating in Google Talk's full in 2017, after which remaining XMPP elements were internalized for services like .

Client Software and Compatibility

Google Talk initially provided a native desktop client exclusively for Microsoft Windows, released as a downloadable application on August 24, 2005, to enable instant messaging and voice calls for Gmail users. This client, available at talk.google.com, featured a simple interface integrated with Gmail contacts and supported high-quality voice communication over the internet. In 2008, Google introduced the Google Talk Labs Edition for Windows, which included an experimental web-based version running in a WebKit container, expanding access without requiring a full browser switch. For Linux and macOS users, no official native clients were developed; instead, compatibility relied on third-party XMPP-compliant applications such as Pidgin (formerly GAIM) and Adium, which allowed seamless connection to Google Talk servers using standard XMPP protocols. Later developments included limited Chrome extensions and apps, such as sidebar integrations, to facilitate browser-based desktop usage, though these were not as prominent as the Windows client. On mobile platforms, Google Talk extended support starting with devices in January 2006, offering capabilities through a dedicated client downloadable from the BlackBerry website, though it lacked voice features initially. For Android, the service launched with the operating system's debut in 2008, preloaded on the G1 as part of the "with " suite, providing , presence indicators, and push notifications via Google's servers to deliver real-time alerts even when the app was not active. iOS users accessed Google Talk primarily through a mobile web app optimized for starting in 2008, which supported basic text chat but relied on browser push capabilities rather than a native application, limiting features like background notifications until later integrations. Overall mobile compatibility emphasized XMPP federation to ensure cross-platform messaging without lock-in. Browser-based access to Google Talk began with integration into the sidebar in February 2006, allowing users to initiate and manage chats directly within the email interface without additional downloads. In 2007, a standalone web client became available at talk.google.com, and gadgets enabled customizable homepage access for quick status updates and messaging. However, there was no fully native web client independent of or until the transition to in 2013, maintaining reliance on these embedded tools for web users throughout Google Talk's lifecycle. Third-party support formed a core aspect of Google Talk's design, leveraging the open XMPP protocol to enable interoperability with a wide array of clients, including Trillian, Psi, and , from its 2005 inception. This federation allowed users on non-Google platforms to communicate with Gmail contacts, fostering broad ecosystem compatibility across desktop, mobile, and server-based applications. Support for third-party XMPP clients persisted until the full shutdown on June 16, 2022, when Google terminated all external access to maintain focus on successor services like .

Historical Development

Inception and Early Expansion (2005-2010)

Google Talk was launched in beta on August 24, 2005, as an and voice calling service exclusively available to users. The initial release included a downloadable client for Windows, enabling free computer-to-computer voice calls and text chats over the using the open XMPP protocol for interoperability with other clients. This marked Google's entry into the instant messaging market, emphasizing simplicity and integration with its existing email service, with users able to invite friends via addresses. In 2006, Google expanded accessibility by integrating chat functionality directly into the Gmail interface in February, allowing users to access their Google Talk contacts and send messages without downloading additional software. This browser-based feature connected Gmail to the broader Jabber network, enabling conversations with millions of users while storing chat histories alongside email for easy search and retrieval. Later that year, support for devices was added with a dedicated , extending the service to wireless users and facilitating on-the-go messaging. By 2007 and 2008, Google Talk saw significant enhancements in multimedia capabilities and platform support. In November 2008, voice and video chat were rolled out within via a lightweight browser plugin, allowing users to conduct free video calls directly from their email inbox without separate applications. Mobile expansion continued with compatibility for Symbian-based devices through third-party XMPP clients, broadening reach to users. The service's growth was bolstered by its seamless integration with , which had surpassed 100 million active users by late 2008, driving adoption of Talk among users worldwide. International availability was inherent from launch, as it relied on global accounts, supporting multilingual interfaces and cross-border connectivity without regional restrictions. From 2009 to 2010, Google Talk deepened its ties to mobile ecosystems, particularly with the launch of Android. In October 2008, the first Android device, the G1, came preloaded with the Google Talk app, enabling native and voice features on smartphones. This integration grew in 2009 as Android adoption accelerated, positioning Talk as a core communication tool for Google's mobile OS. In February 2010, the introduction of within further embedded Talk elements, allowing users to share updates and links in a social feed visible to contacts, blending messaging with lightweight social networking while maintaining real-time chat interoperability. These developments solidified Google Talk's role in Google's ecosystem during its early expansion phase.

Evolution and Integrations (2011-2015)

In , Google Talk saw significant enhancements to its mobile capabilities, particularly with the addition of voice and video calling support in the Android app. Announced in , this update enabled users to make voice and video calls over , , or networks directly from their Android devices, marking a key step in extending the service's desktop features to mobile platforms. This improvement aimed to provide seamless real-time communication on the go, leveraging the growing adoption of smartphones. By 2012, Google began previewing elements of what would become its next-generation messaging platform while keeping Google Talk as the primary service for text-based instant messaging. In July, the company introduced Hangouts as a video chat feature integrated into Gmail, allowing up to 10 participants in group video calls and supporting cross-platform use on web, Android, and iOS. This preview focused on video capabilities but did not immediately replace Talk's core text and voice functions, which continued to operate independently through the existing client. The year marked a pivotal transition as Hangouts was elevated to the default messaging interface in , effectively beginning the integration and replacement of Google Talk. Launched in May at , the unified Hangouts platform combined , voice, and video into a single app, with automatic upgrades for Talk users to maintain continuity in their conversations and contacts. Despite this shift, Google continued to support and update the legacy Google Talk Android app through the year, including compatibility fixes and minor performance tweaks, allowing users to opt for the older interface if preferred. Hangouts' rollout emphasized improved cross-device synchronization and group features, but Talk's underlying XMPP protocol remained available for federated connections during this period. From 2014 to 2015, Talk experienced further voice and video refinements alongside signs of gradual deprecation, as resources shifted toward Hangouts. Enhancements included better integration of high-definition video support using standards in late 2014, improving call quality and reliability for remaining Talk users, though these were increasingly tied to Hangouts' ecosystem. Concurrently, XMPP federation faced limitations; while full server-to-server interoperability had been curtailed with Hangouts' 2013 launch, deprecated the Windows-specific client and the Talk API on February 23, 2015, reducing open protocol support. This period highlighted Talk's maturing but diminishing role, with voice and video features serving as a bridge during the handover to more integrated services.

Decline and Phasing Out (2016-2022)

In the years following the transition to Hangouts, Google Talk experienced a gradual decline as official support diminished. By 2016, the service's usage had waned significantly, prompting Google to announce the discontinuation of key components. On March 24, 2017, Google revealed plans to retire the legacy Google Talk Android app and the integrated chat tool within , effective June 26, 2017, urging users to migrate conversations to Hangouts for continued access. This move also ended XMPP federation with third-party services, limiting interoperability. From 2018 to 2021, remnants of Google Talk persisted primarily through legacy XMPP access, allowing third-party clients like and Gajim to connect for basic messaging. This support enabled a small user base to maintain compatibility without fully adopting Hangouts, though features were increasingly restricted and unreliable. Google reiterated in support documentation that such access was temporary, aligning with broader efforts to consolidate messaging under newer platforms. The final phase culminated in 2022 with the complete shutdown of Google Talk's infrastructure. On June 16, 2022, Google terminated all XMPP server operations, ending support for third-party apps and federation entirely, which rendered the service defunct for all users. No revival efforts followed, as Google focused on successors like . Users seeking to preserve chat history were directed to , which allowed export of legacy conversations previously migrated to Hangouts in formats like for offline archiving.

Reception and Legacy

User Adoption and Criticisms

Google Talk experienced significant user adoption following its launch in 2005, largely driven by its seamless integration with , which by 2012 had grown to 425 million users. This tie-in allowed users to access directly within the Gmail sidebar starting in February 2006, boosting visibility and convenience among Gmail's expanding base and contributing to Google Talk's popularity as a reliable, lightweight communication tool. The service's early support for cross-platform compatibility, including Android devices where it served as a core feature for push notifications, further enhanced its growth and positioned it as a default option for many users seeking simple, dependable messaging. By 2013, as Gmail's user base approached 500 million, Google Talk had become a staple for quick text and voice chats, praised in early reviews for its straightforward interface and minimal resource demands compared to contemporaries like . Its reliability stemmed from Google's infrastructure, which ensured consistent uptime and fast message delivery, fostering loyalty among users who valued the absence of ads and the ability to chat across devices without complex setup. However, began to plateau as Google shifted focus, with the service's peak aligning with Gmail's dominance in the email market. Criticisms of Google Talk centered on its limited feature set, particularly the delayed and basic implementation of group chat capabilities, which were not fully robust until updates in the late and remained inferior to competitors' offerings for collaborative discussions. Users frequently complained about the absence of advanced group messaging until later iterations, forcing reliance on one-on-one chats or external tools for team communication. Additionally, privacy concerns arose from the service's XMPP , which enabled connections to third-party servers but exposed users to risks due to Google's incomplete support for standards like TLS, potentially allowing unencrypted data transmission. The most vocal backlash occurred during the transition to Hangouts, where abruptly phased out full XMPP federation in favor of protocols, alienating users who valued the open standard's interoperability with other services. This move was decried by groups for undermining the decentralized nature of and prioritizing 's ecosystem lock-in over user choice and privacy. The sudden shift left many feeling abandoned, as chat histories and contacts required manual migration, exacerbating frustration with 's pattern of discontinuing services and eroding trust in its long-term commitments. Despite these issues, Google Talk received positive feedback for its simplicity, with users highlighting its ease of use and integration as key strengths. The service's cultural footprint endured through the slang term "Gchat," which emerged as shorthand for quick, informal online messaging and persisted in popular lexicon even after the product's decline.

Influence on Subsequent Google Services

Google Talk served as a foundational element for subsequent Google messaging services, particularly Hangouts, which launched in 2013 as its direct successor. Hangouts inherited key features from Talk, including voice over IP (VoIP) capabilities and seamless integrations with for directly within the email interface. This transition unified text, voice, and video communication across devices, building on Talk's cross-platform compatibility to create a more versatile tool that supported group chats and integration initially. Elements of Google Talk's architecture persisted into , a revival and rebranding effort starting in 2018 that evolved into a primary consumer and enterprise messaging platform by 2021. Chat adopted Talk's emphasis on real-time collaboration, incorporating migrated conversation histories from Hangouts and enhancing them with features like topic-based "Spaces" for group discussions, while maintaining Gmail sidebar access. This continuity allowed users to transition without losing core messaging functionality, though some older Talk-era histories required manual exports during migrations. Beyond direct successors, Google Talk significantly advanced the adoption of the XMPP protocol in , providing an that enabled with other services. By implementing XMPP with support in 2005, Talk encouraged developers to build compatible clients and integrations, boosting the protocol's credibility and usage across the industry, with endorsements from entities like Apple and . This push inspired broader efforts in cross-platform , allowing users to communicate across networks like those of and Yahoo, though Google's later services scaled back such openness. The migrations from Talk to Hangouts and later to Chat highlighted critical lessons in user transitions, particularly around incomplete and feature deprecations that frustrated long-term users. For instance, not all histories automatically transferred during the Hangouts shift, leading to reliance on export tools and exposing challenges in maintaining during product consolidations. These experiences informed Google's more structured migration strategies in subsequent updates, emphasizing automated prompts and admin controls to minimize disruptions. As a legacy tool, Google Talk's chat histories remain accessible via , allowing users to export data in formats like for archiving or third-party use, a feature extended from Hangouts migrations. Following the 2022 end of third-party XMPP client support—such as and Gajim—many archived clients and plugins were preserved by communities for offline or historical access, underscoring Talk's enduring appeal among open-protocol enthusiasts. On an industry level, Google Talk contributed to the broader shift from open protocols like XMPP to proprietary ecosystems in messaging, as seen in the 2013 transition to Hangouts' closed protocol that prioritized Google's control over . This move, while enhancing internal features like automatic archiving, reduced with external services and influenced competitors to favor walled gardens, accelerating the dominance of siloed apps over federated standards.

References

  1. http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2005/08/google-launches-open-instant_24.html
  2. https://support.google.com/talk/
  3. https://gmail.googleblog.com/2008/11/say-hello-to-gmail-voice-and-video-chat.html
  4. https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/talk-face-to-face-right-from-within.html
  5. https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/21/22538240/google-chat-allo-hangouts-talk-messaging-mess-timeline
  6. https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2017/03/updates-in-g-suite-to-streamline-hangouts-and-gmail.html
  7. https://blog.google/products/workspace/hangouts-to-chat/
  8. https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/google-gets-to-talking.html
  9. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/08/a-decade-and-a-half-of-instability-the-history-of-google-messaging-apps/
  10. https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/talk-on-your-personalized-homepage.html
  11. https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/chat-email-crazy-delicious.html
  12. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10818848
  13. http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/07/google-talk-for-iphone.html
  14. https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/01/open-federation-for-google-talk.html
  15. https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/09/now-anyone-can-talk.html
  16. https://techcrunch.com/2008/08/11/systemwide-gmail-outage/
  17. https://computer.howstuffworks.com/e-mail-messaging/google-talk.htm
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20050917011825/http://www.google.com/talk/about.html
  19. http://googletalk.blogspot.com/2008/06/
  20. https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-talk-a-first-look/
  21. https://tachyondecay.net/blog/2005/08/106/
  22. http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2006/11/google-talk-has-offline-messages.html
  23. https://support.google.com/code/answer/55697?hl=en
  24. http://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2008/11/browser-based-voice-and-video-chat.html
  25. http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2008/11/gmail-launches-voice-and-video-chat_11.html
  26. https://web.dev/articles/webrtc-basics
  27. https://www.cs.unc.edu/~fabian/papers/foniks-oak11.pdf
  28. http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2008/11/voice-and-video-chat-in-gmail.html
  29. https://slate.com/technology/2016/05/gchat-was-the-future-of-messaging-why-did-google-make-other-chat-products.html
  30. http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2007/02/google-introduces-new-business-version_22.html
  31. https://www.google.com/apps/intl/en-GB/business/pdf/apps_collaboration.pdf
  32. https://sitevalley.com/blog/gmail-made-social-google-buzz-social-network-is-released/
  33. https://www.disruptivetelephony.com/2015/02/google-finally-kills-off-googletalk-and-xmpp-jabber-integration.html
  34. https://xmpp.org/2015/03/no-its-not-the-end-of-xmpp-for-google-talk/
  35. http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2008/02/invisible-more-for-gmail-chat.html
  36. https://www.calyxinstitute.org/education/howto-encrypted-instant-messaging-with-osx-adium-and-otr
  37. https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US
  38. https://xmpp.org/about/technology-overview/
  39. https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/google-moves-away-from-the-xmpp-open-messaging-standard/
  40. https://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0029.html
  41. https://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0166.html
  42. https://support.google.com/code/answer/62464?hl=en
  43. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/05/google-abandons-open-standards-instant-messaging
  44. http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/09/google-on-android.html
  45. https://9to5google.com/2022/06/13/google-talk-shutting-down-xmpp/
  46. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/google-talk-for-blackberry-goes-live/article20409315/
  47. https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/12/business/google-history-timeline/index.html
  48. https://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/09/google-on-android.html
  49. https://gmail.googleblog.com/2010/02/buzz-buzz.html
  50. https://phys.org/news/2011-05-google-voice-video-android-smartphones.html
  51. https://gmail.googleblog.com/2012/07/video-chat-face-to-face-to-face-with.html
  52. https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/15/4318830/inside-hangouts-googles-big-fix-for-its-messaging-mess
  53. https://support.google.com/talk/?hl=en
  54. https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout?pli=1
  55. https://9to5google.com/2022/06/29/how-to-download-your-google-hangouts-data-before-it-shuts-down-for-good/
  56. https://newrepublic.com/article/116268/gchat-typing-indicator-most-awkward-feature-online-chat
  57. https://www.infoworld.com/article/2221055/google-talk-gives-boost-to-xmpp.html
  58. http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2006/01/google-talk-federation_17.html
  59. https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2020/06/migrate-your-users-from-classic-hangouts-to-chat.html
  60. https://support.google.com/chat/answer/10126829?hl=en
  61. https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/13/23166074/google-talk-messaging-xmpp-shutdown-gchat-pidgin-june-16
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.