Google released a new version of their instant messenger. Called Google Talk Labs Edition, this version is a desktop application which however looks just like Googles existing web chat application. Besides chat, this program also includes notifications for Gmail, Google Calendar and Orkut.

Now, Im not sure why Google releases a desktop client that seems to be just a wrapper for their existing web app. One possibility would be they decided to merge their development efforts by not improving their old Google Talk desktop client anymore, and just updating the web app instead (while providing a wrapper for those people who prefer the look and feel of desktop apps).

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