Gmail has a built-in Google Chat gadget that lets you send instant messages to people in your domain, directly from your email application. You can also chat with people outside your domain using the standalone Google Talk client.
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About Google Chat
Google's chat network lets you send and receive instant messages with friends, family, and colleagues. Exchange real time notes and emoticons with anyone on the network using Google properties (i.e. Gmail, orkut, Google Talk, Google+) or a third-party client.
All you need to chat is a Google Account. You can either create a new Google Account or use an existing one. That's it! Once you've signed up, sign in with your Google Account to one of the following and start chatting:
- Gmail
- Orkut
- Google Talk
- A third party client
- Google +
If you'd rather communicate face to face with your friends, you can do that too using the free voice and video chat feature. To start voice and video chatting with your friends, simply download the voice and video chat plug-in. Your friends can be anywhere in the world, and you can talk for as long as you want.
Gmail Users: You can also chat with people on other networks that support open server-to-server federation or with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) buddies in Gmail. Learn more about AIM in Gmail.
If you are using Gmail, all chats are saved and searchable by default. Learn more about chat history.
About group chat
The group chat feature lets you chat with many friends at once. There's no limit to the number of people you can chat with, and any participant can invite others to join. To start a group chat, follow these steps:
- Start a chat with a single person in your Chat list.
- Once you've started the chat, click the person icon at the top of the chat window.
- In the field labeled 'Add people to this chat', enter the names of the contacts you want to add to your group chat.
To end your chat, click the X at the corner of the chat window. Others in the group chat will get a message saying that you've left the conversation. If you want to rejoin, you'll need to be invited back by a contact who's still in the group chat. The group chat will continue until all participants have left.
Gmail Users
If you’re using Gmail and want to start a group chat with a group of contacts you’re currently communicating with on an email thread, you can simply click the double chat bubble icon next to People on the right side of your Gmail page. This will start a Chat lobby where you can see who’s available for your group chat. At that time, you can decide whether to add or remove participants. The group chat will not actually start until you type and send your message.
Group chat doesn't work with the older version of Gmail. Please upgrade your browser to take advantage of these new features.
Send instant messages
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Use Google Chat to send instant messages and use voice and video chat. |
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Send and receive chat messages even while your Gmail window isn't open. Works only with the Chrome browser. |
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Instantly add voice and video chat to your Google Chat gadget! Works on any browser |
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Find out more about using IM, voice, and video chat with Google Chat. |
