Google gets gobby

So, Google has launched its own VoIP (Voice over IP, or the 'Internet telephone') and IM service. It's called Google Talk. Is this the end of every other communications company on the planet? In a word: yes. Google owns you all now, put down your guns and bow to the mighty power of the multicoloured logo. Not only will you do all your web searches via Google, but now you will make your phone calls and do your instant messaging over its network.

We're all for dictatorships, but only benign ones. Luckily Google has never invaded another country or even so much as stepped on a snail on a wet winter's morning. As global-communications-monopolies-in-the-making go, this is a fairly friendly looking one. What harm could a website that changes its livery to include cartoon hearts on Valentine's Day possibly cause? None whatsoever. Doom-mongers silence those trumpets through which you spit Eminem lyrics. Google means you no harm -- we hope.

Check out the new Google talk service here. - CS