Google : Gmail powered with Video Chat Service , New!

Google has embedded a new feature in its Gmail interface, this is Video, yes and you are right, another blow to the popular Yahoo! messenger. + you can voice chat too

Features with the new Gmail Videochat :

* Chat more ways than ever from within Gmail
* Look and sound your best with high quality audio and video
* Get started easily -- all you need is a webcam

Here is How it works:

Installing is easy, just download the 476 Kb exe file and hit run ( enter key !!)



The interface reminds something like plugin from Skype ( an ebay entity) and some may still think why they want to install skype if they already have ?

The innovative video chat is not available on Gtalk, strange , isnt it?

Gmail voice and video chat incorporates Vidyo technology which is covered under pending U.S. and foreign patent applications.

Previously when Google has introduced the gmail with buddy lists on the left column to check and interact with friends without installing the Gtalk software, everyone including Yahoo! and rediffmail followed the leader.

Lets see if the history repeats itself.

Web 2.0 Indian Social Media Networking Updates

Top Social Networking sites with Indian presence:
1. MySpace (US)
2. Orkut ( Mostly in India and Brazil)
3. Facebook (US)
4. Linkedin (Professional Networking)
5. Friendster (US)
6. BigADDA (India)
7. Rediff Connexions
The growing Web2.0 boom and the social media enthusiasts have a lot to tell.Here is a news from Businessweek, which shows why India is at the top of social media marketing and where is the web going next....

For the past year, global networking sites have been growing in popularity among young Indians. According to JuxtConsult, a New Delhi-based online research and advisory company, 44% of Indian online traffic uses the Internet just for social networking. Google's (GOOG) Orkut is the most popular social networking site in India, with a 64% market share. Facebook is also winning many Indian fans, especially students.
India is as hooked on social networking as any other country. Part of the reason is easier broadband connectivity. A 2007 report by the software industry association group Nasscom estimates broadband subscribers—currently 1 million—will hit 20 million in three years. By 2010, the total number of Internet users in India will grow to 100 million, from 40 million now. This will surely enhance virtual hangout plays like the social networking sites.

Read the full story here at Businessweek.

Rediff : Chat within Browser within Rediffmail

Rediff newly launched its inbuilt messenger in the mail service. In line with what we have seen as GMail is doing, Rediff also has a list of contacts with options to see who is online and all.

Fig 1. Shows the boxed application which opens by default as you enter the inbox.


This seems to be a setback for rediff bol ( the instant messaging tool) while giving more life to rediffmail and connecting users live.

A good ploy to adopt as rediff is being tracking the user activities from past but didnot take any intitiative like this one.

Fig 2. Shows actual chatting box which opens when you click on the person's id

competition is everywhere and is good for the online visitors and overall www.

All the best Rediff!!

Google's Paid Space Efforts

Now GMail has a paid option to those who want to store more...
Ever wonder when other companies like rediff, yahoo and indiatimes are switching to unlimited space, why Google is acting in other way ?

May be due to :
- It has already a lot of data to handle for his setup of servers
- It has some earning plans
- Something secret

Checkout the news at computerworld ,

Just hours after Microsoft Corp. rolled out its Skydrive online storage service on Thursday, Google Inc. unveiled pricing for shared online storage available to both Gmail and Picasa, the search giant's Web-based e-mail and photo services, respectively. The new storage space, which Google took pains to stress is in addition to the free allowance for each service (1GB for Picasa, 2.8GB for Gmail), is priced starting at $20 a year for another 6GB. A few users, however, took advantage of a $1/year-for-6GB price that Google listed during last-minute testing. "We've updated the price, and we're letting those users keep the difference," said Google spokesman Chris Schreiber."We've updated the price, and we're letting those users keep the difference," said Google spokesman Chris Schreiber. Other plans provide an extra 25GB for $75 annually, 100GB for $250, and 250GB for $500

Rediff Foreys Info Social Media Marketing

Google - Orkut and YouTube, MySpace, and now Rediff in the Social Share Networking Arena.

According to Economic Times,

Buoyed by the growing popularity of social networking and content sharing sites like Orkut and Youtube, Rediff.com today joined the bandwagon by launching a social content sharing platform --iShare--to publish and share videos, music and images.
iShare is a multimedia social content sharing platform for the users and would also enable the professional content owners to distribute their work.
"Multimedia growth is driving the internet in a big way and by bringing together audio, video and images through 'iShare' we are targeting maximum online users," Rediff.com Chairman and CEO Ajit Balakrishnan told the media.
Rediff.com, which currently claims 40 per cent of the internet users visiting its various verticals, is targeting over 50 per cent of people accessing internet in this country with the help of this new initiative and leverage form the multimedia boom.

Complete Story Here

Rediff Stock Quotes live

Rediff.com now shows India Live Stock Quotes of BSE and NSE, on the homepage itself.
The display is made prominent while placing just below the login.
Its a good attempt to promote your best offerings and dont forget that the next tab is shopping.
Here is a snap:


Well if you know its already there, then I may be too late.
Please dont let this happen again and do keep me updated for such advancement in technologies and online world.