Google brings video chat to Android devices

Google has announced the imminent arrival of its video chat software for Android phones, Google Talk with video. While some apps for Android phones already allow you to video chat (eg. Fring and Tango), Google Talk will become part of the forthcoming Android OS update (2.3.4).

Google Talk with video will allow users to video chat with others using either the same software or Gmail with Google Talk on computers. It’ll be possible to make calls over 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi - unlike, for example, Apple’s FaceTime, which currently only works over Wi-Fi.

Google explains: “In your Google Talk friends list, a video or voice chat button will appear next to your contacts and you can simply touch the button to connect with them. Any text chats from the person you’re talking with will be overlaid on your phone’s screen so you can read them without having to leave the video. And, if you need to check something else, the video pauses automatically so you can go back to your phone’s home screen or another app. The audio will keep going even though the video has paused.”

Google Talk for Android isn’t available just yet. It’ll be coming to Samsung Nexus S devices over the next few weeks as part of the Android 2.3.4 over-the-air update, and then to other Android 2.3+ devices after that.

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