Google does IM out in the open

In the latest installment of the Google, MSN and Yahoo macho stand-off, Google has added IM capability. At first I groaned at this – another IM identity, another IM client, another closed protocol – my business card has no room left for more cryptic letters.

But I was wrong – it seems Google is truly committed to Open Communications – using XMPP and planning to develop SIP.

This makes Google less evil than the other two, and more far-sighted.

It still seems amazing to me that I can telephone anyone, anywhere in the world using technology 50 years old but I can only IM people who use the same service as me – bonkers. What’s even wierder is that the other two portals seem to like it like that. So, well done Google – now, if you could just fix your once-excellent search engine….