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Gmail Adds Voice, Video Chat

Google becomes first of email's big 3 to integrate audio, video

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2008 5:39 AM CST

(Newser) – Users of Google's Gmail service can now see and hear each other, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The company rolled out video and voice additions to the chat function in its Gmail interface yesterday, putting the world's third-biggest free email provider a step ahead of rivals Microsoft and Yahoo in the race to make email a more social—and profitable—application.

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Gmail currently has 113 million worldwide users, behind Microsoft, which has 283 million users and Yahoo, which has 274 million, (©adria.richards)

Google unveiled free video and voice additions to Gmail yesterday. (Shutterstock)

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I think it's a nice addition and some people will use it, but I don't think it will drive huge adoption of Gmail.
- Greg Sterling of Sterling Market Intelligence

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Gmail Adds Voice, Video Chat