Google Announces Google Talk Video Chat for Android 2.3.4
by Brian Klug on April 28, 2011 4:54 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Nexus S
- Android 2.3
- Android
- Video Chat
- Mobile
Back when we reviewed the Nexus S and Android 2.3, one of our only complaints was that gingerbread sorely needed front facing video chat support. Third party video chat clients take time to be updated to support new devices, and at that point there wasn't a simple solution. It seemed inevitable that Google would leverage existing Google Talk video support to enable video chat not just between phones but also the desktop.
Google today announced just what we've been waiting for. First party video chat support is coming in Android 2.3.4 to Nexus S devices as an OTA update in the next few weeks. Other Android 2.3+ devices will get the update in the future depending on manufacturer OTA update releases.
The update will enable video chat support on devices over 3G, 4G (if your carrier supports it) or WiFi between enabled Android 2.3+ smartphones and tablets, and the desktop Google Talk client.
In the client, a video or voice chat button will appear next to contacts which can then be tapped to initiate the chat. The client will suspend video chat and continue audio as well if the video chat session loses focus in Android, and any text chat recieved will be superimposed on the ongoing video chat. The interface looks like a slimmed-down version of what we saw in Android 3.0 on the Motorola Xoom.
Google has also provided a short video demonstrating overall functionality.
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usama_ah - Thursday, April 28, 2011 - link
And just to clear up any confusion, you cannot have video tied to people's phone numbers because then you wouldn't be able to chat with people logged into Talk via their browsers on a computer (whether desktop/laptop).Using your Google ID is far better than tying it to a phone number. Since Android let's you know when someone is logged into talk via the green circle (or red/orange) throughout the OS (in Contacts, Messaging, Voice, etc.) you're aware that there is another possibly more immediate way of contacting the individual.
Again just tap the person's icon (usually a picture of their face?) and you'll be presented with all the available communication options stored for that contact. If you're logged into Talk and they are too, that will show up as one of the options.
Zoomer - Friday, April 29, 2011 - link
So when will google implement UMTS video calling?Krofojed - Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - link
It is not implemented? I thought all UMTS phones support that (even though nobody uses it).Zomby2D - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
I know the original Galaxy S had it implemented. Not sure if it was built-in into Android or was added by Samsung.synaesthetic - Friday, April 29, 2011 - link
... can't stay connected to Google servers?Gtalk service has been dropping connection so often recently, I'm not getting push notifications for my Gmail. Annoying--thought it was a bug in CM7, but it seems to be due to this!
I wish more people used Gtalk. It's so much nicer than all the AIM clients on Android.
headbox - Friday, April 29, 2011 - link
Why is that mole-faced whore not covering her face with a burqa? Infidels!snoozemode - Friday, April 29, 2011 - link
Is Google lame and afraid of the carriers?flyvog6 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
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