Google Talk sports new interface with pictures

There is a new version of Google Talk available that adds a feature that most other instant messaging clients have: user pictures. It also contains a number of new features, including:

• Pop-up boxes for contacts when rolled over
• Multiple visual themes with different formats to display chats
• Alerts now have a close button and right-click option
• Contact status changes occur mid-conversation
• Ability to set alert to display when a contact comes online
• Ability to sort contacts by name
• Contact's name changes transmit occur more quickly

All in all, it sounds like they've addressed a number of issues that kept it slightly behind the cutting edge in the world of instant messaging. Being integrated with Gmail has to have been a huge boost for Google Talk, and if they can continue to improve the client, it may well have a chance. Unfortunately, there is no mention of a fix to my personal bugaboo: hotkeys. Hopefully soon.

Note - this is a beta version of a beta product. Confused yet? Me too. Basically, this is a test build. Install at your own risk, yada yada yada. And here's a review if you're not sure you want to take the plunge just yet.

Tags: freeware, Gmail, google talk, GoogleTalk