***Google|http://www.google.com/*** is reportedly going to be launching an instant messaging service/tool/thingy tomorrow called Google Talk. ***Niall Kennedy|http://www.niallkennedy.com/*** has reported that it’s possible to ***set up a Jabber-capable client|http://www.niallkennedy.com/blog/archives/2005/08/google_talk_is_live.html*** to connect to Google’s ‘Talk’ server as of today.

I gave it a try with ***AdiumX|http://www.adiumx.com/***, and it seems to work just fine. Well, at least the logging on part. What I really need is for someone to try contacting me to test it out. If you are so inclined, read ***Niall’s post|http://www.niallkennedy.com/blog/archives/2005/08/google_talk_is_live.html*** and try it out. You can contact me at peter.r.wood at gmail dot com.

Update
***Google|http://www.google.com/*** ***Talk|http://www.google.com/talk/*** is now official (though there has been no ***press release|http://googlepress.blogspot.com/*** as yet). They have a downloadable Windows client, as well as instructions for setting up other clients to use Google Talk.

Update
Here’s the ***official press release|http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/talk.html***, and the ***official blog entry|http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/google-gets-to-talking.html***. They’ve also introduced a new way to get a Gmail account:

qqq|…starting today, Google is making it easier for anyone in the U.S. with access to a mobile phone to sign up for a Gmail account. When users visit http://gmail.com and enter their mobile phone number, they will receive an invitation code via a text message. This code enables them to open an account.|qqq