Would a sophisticated, innovative chat system developed by Google lure you away from traditional text messaging or rival services such as Facebook Messenger? That’s what Google’s plan is with the unveiling of their newest project, Babble.
According to a new report from Geek.com, Google plans to transition all of its various chat communications systems into a single entity called Babble. Systems like Google Talk, Hangout, Messenger, and Voice will be included. According to developers, the effort is more about branding than an attempt to consolidate all these systems under the same umbrella.
This is not the first time Google has lingered into the realm of online chatting. Google Buzz (launched in 2010) was a social messaging tool integrated into Gmail where users could share links, photos and videos that were organized into conversations in the user’s inbox. According to Google executive Sergey Brin, Buzz was intended, “to help bridge the gap between work and leisure.” However in December of 2011, Google announced that it would be discontinuing Buzz over strong criticism that the service took insufficient account of user privacy protection.
Google’s move to Babble is designed to make it easier for Google’s users to communicate and also reduce the sheer number of places the search giant needs to work to keep communication going. It will be interesting to see whether or not this new system will impact rival Apple’s iMessage or Facebook Messenger. Be on the lookout for Google Babble in the near future.
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