Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol or XMPP is an open standard that was designed for the further enhancement of Instant Messaging. XMPP was designed and developed by the Jabber open-source community in the year 1999and has been considered as the de facto open standard for instant messaging. Since its inception, this protocol has come a long way with immense advancements such as, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as seen in Skype and Google Talk and the ability to transfer data and media files in a chat windows.

Until now, user have to be logged into the Facebook network, via the Facebook website to use the Facebook IM engine. However, when the XMPP protocol is releases on Facebook, it would give the users the freedom of logging into Facebook chat via any instant messaging client regardless of their login status in Facebook.

Via GigaOm.

Skype may have a little competition here. Google has unveiled its video and voice functions and would be embedded in gmail interface. It can’t match the paid service that Skype provides but is a good addition to the simple and smooth interface of gmail. However, users have complained installation of the chat software makes the computer slow and inefficient on old computers.

I installed it too, and found that it uses more resources than normal chat software. Nevertheless, the fact is that gmail is so prevalent and a stripped down chat software embedded into email is quite attractive. The video conferencing facility could actually help many businessmen and even friends and relatives to stay in touch without having to spend much at all.

Apparently we shall soon be able to send SMS as well. Google knows that when everything is provided at one single place, with a great interface, then people would definitely opt for Google’s services than go for a rival’s paid services. For now, people have been busy downloading and trying how the audio chat/video conferencing works from gmail.

Via: CNet