Google has an active Jabber server, Google IM coming soon?

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Thanks to OrangeSoul, Tom Servo, CarlNewton and bangbang023 for the heads up about this.

A recent New York Times story on the Google Sidebar had an interesting side note about an annoucement Wednesday of a new “communication tool” -- could this be the much speculated Google IM?

While executives would not disclose what the tool was, it has long been speculated that Google would introduce an IM service to compete with AOL, Yahoo, and MSN, and last year the rumor mill said that Google would use the open source Jabber protocol to power its product.

Inquisitive Neowin member Tom Servo, taking a hint from member CarlNewton tried to connect to talk.google.com using his Trillian client.

What he received was a secure XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol, alternatively known as Jabber) server waiting for connections.

Could this be Google IM waiting to be unleashed? Since the server is using open source technology it'd be wonderful if anyone with a Jabber enabled chat client could use it (Trillian, GAIM, etc) and not just users of Google IM. While this hope is based on speculation, it does have some backing in the form of an active server.

Update: Users are reporting that they can login to the jabber server using their Google Account username and password. Details soon...
Update 2: Several un-named Google Executives have confirmed that Google will be announcing "Google Talk" tomorrow.

Screenshot: Google Talk Attempted Connection

View: Google Talk

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(9 replies) #1 Callaway on 22 Aug 2005 - 22:50

the fact it's open source is nice, though really it may just turn into one more IM account I'll need to create if this takes off.

AIM - Check
Yahoo - Check
MSN - Check
ICQ - Nope
Google - Sigh...

#1.1 koppit on 22 Aug 2005 - 22:55

at least we have trillian to solve that problem

#1.2 Kushan on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:41

GAIM and MirandaIM are much better alternatives to Trillian if you ask me. Both are free too.

#1.3 fro0ty on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:44

I cant see anything toppeling msn here in the UK, virtually everyone uses msn.

Google will have to come up with something very very very very good in order to make people switch to another network. Even then, I think most people will be too lazy to switch. What id like to see is Google make a IM client like Miranda

#1.4 Mathiasdm on 23 Aug 2005 - 06:42

Personally, I could see it happen.

People using Jabber, can add MSN contacts, AIM contacts...
Google IM would be the same. In other words: very interesting!

#1.5 LanMan874 on 23 Aug 2005 - 07:50

YEs, i agree with Fro0ty.

I doubt Google Talk will take off much here in the UK, everyone here uses MSN Messenger.

#1.6 mrbester on 23 Aug 2005 - 11:53

That would be because everyone == sheep. Sort of like "everyone uses IE". It's in your face when you use Windows unless you've jumped through the hoops to turn it off / remove it.
Personally, I haven't used IM since I started getting spim (not tha it was called that then) on ICQ, about 8yrs ago. And I haven't missed it one bit.

#1.7 ObCeeDee on 23 Aug 2005 - 13:38

Well, an absolute majority uses MSN and IE here too ( Belgium ) .. I think most people would simply be too lazy to change.. MSN is quite straight-forward and is darn populair, just like IE ( I'm not talking for everyone of course

)

If this does take off, you'll have an "IE vs Firefox" situation. Microsoft remains to keep a large percentage of it's users, while the competitor, Google in this case, might only gain just a small percentage.

When it comes to IM, I think it might be a bit too challenging, even for Google.

#1.8 kitchenutensils on 23 Aug 2005 - 17:02

true but if the client allows connections to MSN then theres nothing holding back google-interested people. i think its also a bit stupid going to conclusions too fast - that could so easily just be an inter-company restricted server.

#1.9 Murkey on 23 Aug 2005 - 19:50

Difference between IE/FF situation is that MSN/Google Messenger requires other people to sign up. The whole point of IM is to talk to other people, and it's a bit pointless if you want to switcha dn no-one else does, whereas whether you use IE or FF doesn't affect anyone expect the people who make the pages.

(1 reply) #2 Rob on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:03

Another fact:

http://talk.google.com redirects to http://www.google.com/talk -- you may get a "Not found" error, but the fact the redirection is present means it's going to be used.

#2.1 CarlNewton on 23 Aug 2005 - 08:30

Yeah that's how we found it out. I tried chat.google.com im.google.com etc, and then talk.google.com. I realised it reacted differently so i posted that. Woo! I'm famous on the neowin homepage

(2 replies) #3 Tom Servo on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:11

The authentication in XMPP allows for proprietary mechanisms. Google could lock this service into Google IM, Jabber or not. At least as long until someone figures it out, releases that info and/or implements it into their own client.

#3.1 Rob on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:13

In which case, the line:

"it'd be wonderful because anyone with a Jabber enabled chat client could use it (Trillian, GAIM, etc) and not just users of Google IM."

Should be changed to:

"it'd be wonderful because, potentially, anyone with a Jabber-enabled chat client could use it (Trillian, GAIM, etc.) provided the service is not locked down to the Google IM client."

#3.2 Tom Servo on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:24

Even if Google IM was locked to their client... It's frickin' Google. It'll be a goldrush like with Gmail, with potential of turning AIM, MSN and cohorts into backup messengers. And for once, I'm hoping this will be the case, so that I can return to using my old Jabber server and account, without having a minuscule contact list on it.

(1 reply) #4 Gowcra on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:15

Good move but..... I cant decide YET how good this will be

#4.1 shao on 23 Aug 2005 - 07:56

excellent, now the information hungry (and privacy time-bomb) google can look at our IM chatter too!! I can't think of anything worse. that's news, email, http, traffic all logged and analysed, that only leaves irc, voip, and gaming servers left for google to monitor and all of a sudden, out of no where, we have a potential for a big brother like state.

(6 replies) #5 mircleman on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:17

sighhhhh If you folks like to search my posts I announced this 3-4 months ago everyone thought I was talking out my hat. jeesh .

#5.1 todd` on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:30

Care to link? I did search your posts but I didn't find anything of the sort.

#5.2 virtorio on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:46

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=292606&hl=google

The search function isn't that hard to use

#5.3 mircleman on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:06

thanks saved me the work lol

#5.4 todd` on 23 Aug 2005 - 05:14

I've seen those posts. How exactly did you announce this? Your posts come nothing close to this news.

#5.5 mircleman on 23 Aug 2005 - 11:26

look todd if you read my posts then you wouldnt ask such stupid questions. Did you see who I work with and communcate with. read the names again todd. now do I also have to come out and say cough* browser * cough* want that name too todd. I could sit here and name things all day and not things Im guessing on todd things I KNOW. now go abck to the rock you came out from under I have better things to do with my time. just read my posts, and learn.

Last edited by 1798 on 23 Aug 2005 - 11:54

#5.6 Martin Blank on 23 Aug 2005 - 14:47

I did go in and read all of your posts in that thread, and I saw nothing but ambiguity on your part. You may have seen or known something, but you certainly didn't call anything, especially since that thread was primarily about operating systems and didn't turn to IM until later. In each case, you merely said that your company had been in contact with Google and that you couldn't talk about it but that "there are software products coming that will be amazing and a choice besides microsoft."

(2 replies) #6 RSCD_Immortal on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:19

maybe google is using it to control ICBM's from HQ to IRAQ......
and if u dont like that thoery
then how about google was just using it for all there inhouse communications and u stumbled upon it.

#6.1 Ivand on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:22

I was thinking the same

#6.2 RSCD_Immortal on 23 Aug 2005 - 04:15

i thinking that google is planning a strategic missle strike on yahoo and askjeeves. We must infiltrate this server to find out whats really going on here!

new plan "Operation talk.google.com Freedom"

#7 Prometheus on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:25

I dont know should i be happy... or sad.
Im using trillian so i dont mind the extra IM.

(1 reply) #8 Lee McDermott on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:26

ARRRRGHHH... its happening!!! Head for the underground bunkers!

#8.1 EduardValencia on 23 Aug 2005 - 17:11

may day may day...we're hit!!!!

(2 replies) #9 djog on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:36

Yeeess!! at last.. the end of the MSN and AOL monopoly... I hope so

#9.1 xpgeek on 23 Aug 2005 - 02:54

Me too.

#9.2 el22 on 23 Aug 2005 - 13:18

That's called duopoly

#10 Angel Blue01 on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:37

I know no one on jabber.

(1 reply) #11 fourte3n on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:38

what we need is interconnectivity between all IM's..... like a rosetta stone! then I wont need 4-5 different acounts.

#11.1 sp0rk on 23 Aug 2005 - 09:50

That's never going to happen, because all the protocols are so different. It would require too much give from each major network. Not to mention, it would introduce a plethora of exploits. The exploits would effect people a lot more, too. Instead of someone stealing your AIM name, you lose your name for all networks. It'd be a mess.

(3 replies) #12 gam_EZ on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:46

I put the jabber plugin on trillian and used my gmail account to connect and im online...anyone else try this out?

nevermind...just saw the status and i get 'unknown translation'

#12.1 akazik on 23 Aug 2005 - 14:55

I've tried too, but faild: "405: Not Allowed".
I used Gaim (Protocol: Jabber, username: my gmail account name, server: talk.google.com, Resource: Gaim [also tested GoogleIM and a few more])

Do you can still connect?

#12.2 gam_EZ on 24 Aug 2005 - 01:22

Yeah it connects...but seconds later it disconnects..

#12.3 tofferr on 25 Aug 2005 - 16:54

I too get the unknown translation error. This is an example:

[11:48] *** Reconnecting to gmail.com, attempt 8...
[11:48] *** Creating connection "username@gmail.com/Trillian"
[11:48] *** Unknown translation!

Of course, username is my google user name.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Chris

(2 replies) #13 Lee McDermott on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:48

Google will probably pull something amazing (as per usual)... like some incredible new IM features that have never been seen before. Who knows.. maybe they'll create a universal client (e.g. AOL, MSN, YAHOO etc)

#13.1 LaNcom on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:22

If they use Jabber, there's no need for a universal client, because Jabber offers gateways. I use only a Jabber account, but due to the gateways, I can communicate with MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo...

#13.2 Jstphish on 23 Aug 2005 - 01:30

How is this possible now?

#14 Kreuger on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:50

Do a search for Google Suite, it already has an IM built in called Geeem

#15 virtorio on 22 Aug 2005 - 23:56

Wow, how is this exciting. What possible services could they offer that aren't offered by Yahoo, AIM or MSN already, apart from having your beloved (I don't know why as at the end of it all, they are an advertising corporation) Google logo inside a few of the dialogs.

Plus all this is is just a open source jabber server running. As already stated in a few of the posts above, it's possible it's just used for in-house communications.

Last edited by 27111 on 23 Aug 2005 - 01:44

#16 PharosBR on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:08

If they're really developing an IM program, well I don't know, but IMHO, I HATE Google's design on everything, I bet this would be the ugliest-looking IM program ever =|
Speaking of functionality and features, however, are totally different things. Google is a champ in this category

#17 Webgraph on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:12

Even though I prefer Yahoo over Google for e-mail and certain other things, I may actually consider signing up for Google IM. Once it's out, I can see millions of MSN users transferring to it the same way many have transferred from Hotmail to GMail! Besides, I detest MSN, but I can't get rid of my account as that's what almost everyone uses in Canada! Darn Micros*it!

(5 replies) #18 LTD on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:12

Great, more chat clients.

About as exciting as gmail . . . which is just another web-based e-mail client. People think it's something special. I don't see why. Web-based e-mail is crap anyway, unless you're looking for an anonymous account. Another hotmail clone. Ugh . . .

#18.1 dhan on 23 Aug 2005 - 01:13

:d waiting for kahuna

#18.2 Jstphish on 23 Aug 2005 - 01:34

Free POP3. That's why I use it.

#18.3 LTD on 23 Aug 2005 - 03:04

Free POP3 for multiple accounts, perhaps, but you're still paying your ISP. Unless you're heavily into several e-mail accounts, the cost of e-mail is negligible. Perhaps the storage space is a plus, and the ability to send larger files. Still, I don't see an earth-shaking benefit here.

Further, web-mail can be very flaky at times. And the ability to filter and organize your mail isn't as advanced as what you get with dedicated e-mail clients.

Yeah, there *is* some value to it, but people seem to be in sheer ecstasy over gmail. Just seems weird.

#18.4 Jugalator on 23 Aug 2005 - 06:24

I'm using Gmail because I think it's the by far best web based mail, and that means good things if 1) I want to have good access to my mail from any computer with a web browser, and as a bonus it's 2) routinely backed up instead of lying on my own harddrive, relying on my own backup habits. That's two things cumbersome to do myself, and everything else is just icing on the cake. Gmail has also never had any downtime for the time I've used it, something I can actually not say about my ISP, which means my mail will still be accessible by simply connecting another way which isn't too hard in this day and age.

Just keep in mind that people wouldn't be "in ecstacy" over a particular webmail if there wasn't a reason to, so you're obviously missing out on a thing or two, not the users.

Last edited by 21023 on 23 Aug 2005 - 06:31

#18.5 LTD on 23 Aug 2005 - 13:55

Well, FINE! LOL.

I guess I'll get myself a gmail account to see what all the fuss is about.

I mean, if all the cool kids are using it . . . .

Hopefully it's better than hotmail.

#19 Intelman on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:38

Please God no! We dont need another IM client, seriously. I dont want more!!! It is ridiculous.

#20 Fubar on 23 Aug 2005 - 00:55

i just use kopete its great it takes all the im clients into one

#21 c00ly on 23 Aug 2005 - 01:58

why doesnt someone try that but logging in with a gmail account...

#22 dolimite35 on 23 Aug 2005 - 02:05

Another IM.... oh well or maybe another internet phone chat like skype?
Im wating for the skype plug-in for trillian, when will it come out, maybe never

#23 jabber on 23 Aug 2005 - 02:33

What can I say;

Cool

#24 Lexcyn on 23 Aug 2005 - 02:49

Awesome. If Google IM ever sees the light of day, I will never log into MSN ever again!

#25 NewXStar on 23 Aug 2005 - 02:49

Google bypasses browser to search PC drives, Web

#26 Solarix on 23 Aug 2005 - 03:03

ya thats right remove my first comment...

(1 reply) #27 jerry on 23 Aug 2005 - 03:38

Already incorporating the new logo, love it ! Great work Flish & Blaise.

#27.1 Marshalus on 23 Aug 2005 - 03:44

Uh, sorry dude, that image has been like that for a long time.
Edit: Cleared the cache and refreshed, saw the difference. My apologies.

(3 replies) #28 AV0X on 23 Aug 2005 - 04:36

We don't need anymore IM clients.

#28.1 Jugalator on 23 Aug 2005 - 06:33

As long as they use already existing and supported protocols by plenty of well used IM's, who cares?
I'd only agree with you if you said we didn't need more IM protocols.

I mean, if Google use Jabber and splitting up the IM commnunity, all you need to do is to switch from your crappy monoprotocol MSN.

#28.2 HawkMan on 23 Aug 2005 - 11:24

Except... Jabber sort of sucks, the protocol even got ****loads of overhead... sometimes it's not smart to use XML for everything...

besides that, all the people who use MSN, wonb't be moving, and they also want all the features of MSN, wich their Jabber client won't offer and goign through their MSN gteway certainly won't offer...

wich means again. only the anit MS and Google Geeks will move, while the huge majority will stay on MSN.

#28.3 lare2 on 23 Aug 2005 - 14:00

Next time use the word "I" instead of "We" since you can't decide for others.

#29 vlsi0n on 23 Aug 2005 - 04:37

^ actually i agree, there are many good ones out there, enough to keep competition at a fast pace...

(1 reply) #30 Porp on 23 Aug 2005 - 04:49

^^ more IMs... I ain't leaving MSN Messenger..

#30.1 EduardValencia on 23 Aug 2005 - 17:12

me too

#31 - diego - on 23 Aug 2005 - 04:50

wait until Wednesday

#32 yukycg on 23 Aug 2005 - 06:35

unless it offer something unique and able to link other IMs or else I am not even bother to download it

#33 Chicane-UK on 23 Aug 2005 - 07:26

This would most definately be worth a sniff I say! Bring it on Google

(1 reply) #34 Krpano on 23 Aug 2005 - 08:30

i wonder how long till everyone start hating Google, just like the hate for any other big company (MS, AOL and etc)

#34.1 Trix on 23 Aug 2005 - 14:38

ditto, it's bound to happen soon - asson as companies get big they get hated (what it seems like anyway)

#35 Dwarden on 23 Aug 2005 - 08:52

yay Jabber ... i like ... so ... why not ... finally some kick into Yahoo and AOL ass

#36 elliot on 23 Aug 2005 - 08:54

Can't wait for releated text ads on what i'm talking about.

(2 replies) #37 dl0711 on 23 Aug 2005 - 10:14

Google should do this to beat all other Messenger services - 100% Free Unlimited PC-PC & PC-Phone VOIP Calling to anywhere in the world with NO Time limit.

#37.1 Andre on 23 Aug 2005 - 10:35

keep on dreaming..

#37.2 mircleman on 23 Aug 2005 - 11:40

he's not as far off as you may think. the network is being put in place to do that now pc to pc is already happening and so is voip for what like $20 now. its coming.

(2 replies) #38 pickleman on 23 Aug 2005 - 10:42

do we really need another IM?

#38.1 i like chips on 23 Aug 2005 - 14:27

Google seems to think we do. I'd use it.

#38.2 tapo on 23 Aug 2005 - 18:27

It isn't another IM, it's just another Jabber client. Jabber's been out for a while, since at least 1999. I've been using it since January of last year.

Now with strong corporate backing, it's finally going to be noticed. Hurray for Google!

#39 OceanMotion on 23 Aug 2005 - 11:54

Good stuff. More competition the better. It will make other companies get their finger out.

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