Google adds video to Gmail Chat

Google has added video conferencing to its chat function in Gmail.

The new service required a plugin, but once installed is as simple to use as chat itself. From the Google Blog:

Just click on the new “Video & more” menu in a Gmail chat window and select “Start video chat” or “Start voice chat.” You can switch to a full screen view or pop out the chat window and change the size and positioning as you wish. Of course, not everyone has a webcam, but even if you don’t, you can still have voice conversations alongside your email and regular chat.

GTalk/ Gmail chat hasn’t exactly been hugely successful for Google, but the continued roll out of new features in Gmail itself make for a more appealing product.

Demo video as follows: