Gmail gets Google Talk integration

In an announcement made early today, Google revealed a number of new Gmail features that provide integrated instant messaging support for users of Google Talk. The aanouncement could be seen on the login page of Gmail. The new features—which include buddy status notification within the Gmail interface, support for instant messaging right inside the browser, and support for integrated chat logging—may stimulate interest in Google's somewhat flat instant messaging service. Google Talk is generally considered to be 'less feature-packed' than the more popular competing services provided by companies like Microsoft and Yahoo. But before you run off to play, note that all of these new features are not yet deployed yet, and will be made available to all Gmail users over the next few weeks.