Google Talk Adds Voice, File Transfer

By Geoff Duncan Published August 18, 2006

Google entered the already-crowded instant messaging market almost a year ago with it’s Jabber/XMPP-based Google Talk—now, the company is releasing a new version of its (still beta!) Windows chat client with new file transfer, music status sharing, and voicemail features.

According to Google, file transfer capabilities were the most-requested feature from Google Talk users, so the company has added new file transfer features which enable users to swap files using the instant messaging client. Google likes the idea of folks sharing photos this way: users can drop up to ten photos into a chat window and previous will appear in context so users can talk about them right away. Once the files are transferred, recipients can find or open them with a single click.

Recommended Videos

The Google Voicemail feature enables users to record a voice message for a contact if they don’t respond, but the feature also enables users to record voice memos and send them to any email address; Google’s GMail service now supports playing back these voicemail messages. Finally, the new music status sharing feature enables you to share your music listening habits with your friends, and—optionally—the entire world as part Google Labs’ new Music Trends project.

Google Talk requires Windows 2000/XP, although Mac and Linux users can chat with Google Talk users with Jabber-savvy IM clients.

Former Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Deepfake bosses are crashing video calls, and researchers are trying to expose them

Seeing your boss on video no longer proves they are real

Researchers at Fraunhofer SIT are fighting against deepfake meeting video calls

Entering into a meeting with your boss and several familiar coworkers inside a video conference is the next area vulnerable to cybercrimes, and it's all because of deepfake technology. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT are working on a real-time warning system designed to identify attempted fraud during corporate video conferences.

The report states that criminals are increasingly targeting video meetings for identity theft and financial scams, taking advantage of the trust people place in familiar faces and voices. The intention is to flag suspicious activity while the meeting is still taking place. This gives an employee a chance to stop before following an expensive instruction from an AI-generated executive.

Computing

Apple will finally stop making iPhone-to-Windows copy-paste such a chore

Your iPhone may finally copy and paste with a Windows PC like it should

Apple Universal Clipboard feature

Copying something on an iPhone and pasting it onto a Windows PC should be one of the least remarkable features imaginable. While this simple process seems effortless between an iPhone and Mac, Windows users are still left waiting.

Now, Microsoft is formally asking Apple to provide interoperable clipboard access through the company’s European Union interoperability process. The request, submitted on March 25, argues that iOS restrictions prevent third-party platforms from creating an experience comparable to Apple’s Universal Clipboard. Apple has now reached Phase III and committed to developing a solution.

Computing

Chrome wants more extension reviews, but good ratings won’t keep malware out

Google is testing built-in extension review prompts, but good ratings can still hide malware

malicious-google-chrome-extensions-on-web-store

Google is preparing to add extension review links directly inside Chrome, putting feedback closer to the menus people already use to manage their add-ons.

A Chromium change, first spotted by Windows Report, points to review options in the Extensions menu, the chrome://extensions management page, and extension context menus. Only eligible Chrome Web Store extensions in good standing would qualify, and the feature is still under development.