Video Chat Now Available for Linux Users on Gmail: Too Little Too Late?

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

How important is it to be able to video chat? If you consider all of the emerging technology surrounding this concept, the demand is there, and consumers and businesses alike are making use of its capabilities.

Now, for Linux users, the news out of Google is good. The search giant, according to a recent Yahoo! report, has now released the Gmail feature that will allow these users to access video and voice chat.

Linux distributions that are Ubuntu (News - Alert) and Debian-based will be supported, while RPM support is set to be available soon. Those seeking to give it a try can access the required plugin at gmail.com/videochat.

While the announcement is being hailed as good news, it could easily leave Linux users frustrated with Google (News - Alert). After all, they’ve only had to wait two years for this release, giving the impression that Linux is just an afterthought for Google.

And, Linux users may have already found another solution, reducing the demand for the Google fix. Will it make a difference for Linux users? Whether or not they carry a grudge may determine the likelihood of giving it a chance.

In other Google news, the company announced earlier this week that Jambool, a company that makes the platform for managing online payments for virtual goods sold on gaming and social networking sites is now the property of Google. The developers of Social Gold, Jambool’s currency can be used within applications for websites such as Facebook.

The company is said to be interested in Like.com. This company is the latest target as it specializes in “visual search,” a technology Google has tried to perfect for years. A visual search engine has already been incorporated into the Google Android (News - Alert), allowing users to take a picture of a monument, landmark or even a person and receive the results based on extensive combing on images on the Internet.

(source: http://small-business-voip.tmcnet.com/topics/smb-voip/articles/96070-video-chat-now-available-linux-users-gmail-too.htm)