Gmail Voice and Video chat first impressions
Submitted by Federico Pistono on Wed, 11/12/2008 - 10:04.
"We've tried to make this an easy-to-use, seamless experience, with high-quality audio and video. And we've built this product using Internet standards, such as XMPP, RTP, and the newly-standardized H.264/SVC video codec."
This is quite revolutionary. I have been waiting for this feature for a long time. Just like Justin Uberti said video and voice chat were added today in gmail.
"We've tried to make this an easy-to-use, seamless experience, with high-quality audio and video. And we've built this product using Internet standards, such as XMPP, RTP, and the newly-standardized H.264/SVC video codec."
To try the new features go to http://mail.google.com/videochat and install the required plug-in (Windows & Mac-only, for now). After restarting the browser, open Gmail, select a contact from the chat section and see if there's an option named "Video & more". If you can't find this option, your friend didn't install the plug-in yet.
I tested it with different systems and generally I shall conclude:
Pro
- The video quality is very good, much better than skype.
- Much lighter than skype.
- Much faster than skype.
- Much easier than skype.
- Contra
- It's still in development and there are a few bugs to fix.
- Does not support Linux.
- Does not support *BSD.
- Does not support ANYTHING else but Win and Mac.
- Not open Source.
- Actually all contras as a consequence of the latter.
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