Google Talk, wtf!?! another IM

[Netizen1]

Okay, so I just read thru an article on Cnet News.com that Google has launched their latest technology, Google Talk. An instant messenger service that is supposed to rival AOL, Yahoo! and MSN. Then I saw the stats...

AOL leads the pack in instant messaging, with about 41.6 million users, followed by about 19 million using Yahoo Messenger and 14 million using MSN Messenger, according to ComScore Media Metrix.

WTF!?!?!

If Yahoo! Instant Messenger leads MSN Messenger, then why do I have more contacts on my msn list than on my Yahoo list? Not only that, but more people tend to be on MSN at any given time than YahooIM...

* Voyd guesses those are "american" stats 

Do we really need another IM?
Look at ICQ and IRC, the latter has now been relegated to file sharing mostly, rather than chats... (as our chat room is often vacant)

Last quote

One advantage to Google Talk could be its ability to connect with users of competing services. The service is based on the Jabber open-source standard, which allows consumers to connect with other messaging systems that work with Jabber, such as Apple Computer's iChat, GAIM, Adium, Trillian Pro and Psi.

WTF uses any of those other apps, besides GAIM and Trillian, and even then, those are used to connect to the other 2 (or 3) networks.... sigh

Comments?

[AJLC]

I'll say this,

don't bet against google.

You make some strong observations there. Really surprised that AIM/ICQ is #1.

Btw, American stats would hardly be influenced since the caribbean is just a drop in the bucket numbers wise.

Who knows what goes on in the rest of the world.

Wait and see iwmc.

[Czar]

I'll say this,

don't bet against google

Wise words...they are quickly becoming a dominant force...almost to the point that they're being compared to Microsoft :S

[ProtoJoe]

Wow, ICQ still works....

Anyway, you really shouldnt put anything past google. Firstly, they are (arguable) the best search engine EVER. Their mailing system tops hot.mail by far (even though I dont need a whole gig, and my hot.mail is hacked so i can get 250mb ) They have that whole statalite thingy, and at the rate at which they are going, they dont seem to be slowing down....