Gmail integrates Instant Messenger (en francais)

I just noticed this yesterday when I logged into my Gmail account. Gmail now includes an embedded IM client.

The contacts are on the left while the chat window is located at the bottom right, with the ability to seperate it from the Gmail window.

The service apparently started on Tuesday and will be rolled out ove the next several weeks. If you don't see it yet, it should eventually turn up in your account.

As Gmail continues to build, you have to wonder what features are next. With 2.7 gig of storage space there's a lot they can do. You can already use your Gmail account as a virtual drive, although this isn't supported by Google. File storage/File sharing is one capability that shouldn't take too much to add. Another possibility could see Gmail morphing into a basic collaboration tool. The uses are wide and varied. It should be fun watching this tool continue to develop.

If you don't have a Gmail account, email me at bluebloggingsoapbox@gmail and I'll send you an invite.