I Was browsing through my mails and noticed this, Google is starting up Gmail Chat, it might give a tough time for web 2.0 company’s like meebo, upcoming emessenger etc.

Google Chat
Your Google Talk chat history can be automatically saved right here in your Gmail account.Now chat with your friends from directly within Gmail, Pop-out Chats : Give chat session its own window.

Nytimes report

the search-engine giant, is expected on Tuesday to disclose that it will join its instant-messaging service with its popular Gmail program, the latest indication that the company has set its sights on the broader communications industry.

The new program, called Gmail Chat, will let Gmail users exchange text messages with others without having to log onto a separate chat program, making instant messaging simpler and more integrated with the e-mail program.

From anywhere in Gmail, the user can see who is available to chat. The program will also allow users to store instant-message conversations.

There’s more…

  • Add contacts and invite your friends to chat from Quick Contacts
  • See when your friends are online
  • Set your status to busy, sleepy, angry or whatever. Even sneezy.
  • Get Google Talk to make free voice calls too. It’s completely synchronized with Quick Contacts
  • Go off the record when you’re chatting so nothing gets saved to anyone’s Gmail account