Google GTalk provides iPhone lovers with instant-messaging client

by Stevie Smith - Jul 4 2008, 10:50

In a move that will further expand the messaging capabilities of the iPhone, Internet search leader Google Inc. has this week revealed a mobile version of Google Talk (GTalk) that will work with Apple’s iconic touch-screen smartphone and its non-telephony iPod Touch stable mate.

The new iPhone-compatible version of Google Talk is available now (US) and functions through the handset’s Web browser, meaning that chat-loving owners will be able to sidestep any kind of software installation by simply signing in and chatting freely via the live Google Talk site.

Writing on the official Google Mobile blog this Wednesday, Google software engineer Adam Connors enthused that: “In addition to sending friends GMail messages from your iPhone, you can now chat with them while you’re on the move too!”

However, the iPhone’s Google Talk experience will differ somewhat from the standard delivery presently available to conventional computer-bound conversationalists.

Specifically, Connors revealed in his blog post that the application will need to remain open on the iPhone’s Safari browser in order to receive incoming messages, while any navigation away from the Google Talk window will result in the user’s messaging status automatically being set as “unavailable” until their return.

In an effort to keep the iPhone version as closely aligned to the computer iteration of Google Talk as possible, users will still be able to search contacts, manage multiple conversations, and select contacts from an easy-access quick list.

The arrival of Google Talk on mobile devices is just the latest shrunken offering to emerge from California-based Google Inc’s bulging portfolio of applications. It follows similar on-the-go versions of popular applications such as Google search and Google Maps.

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