Google’s Answer to Facetime: Google Talk Video Chat for Android

Google Mobile Blog announced new video chat feature for Android phones. It’s the answer to Apple’s Facetime video chat on iOS devices (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad).

You can now video or voice chat with your contacts from your Android phone, as long as they have a compatible Android phone or tablet, or using Gmail Google Talk on their computer. You can make the all over a 3G or 4G data network or over Wi-Fi.

Demo video: Google Talk video chat for Android

When will it available?

Google Talk with video and voice chat will gradually roll out to Nexus S devices in the next few weeks as part of Android 2.3.4 over-the-air update. Other Android 2.3+ devices will get it in the future… (basically depends on your Android device manufacturer)

My two cents

Google Talk Video Chat works only when two parties have the compatible devices and software (Android device or Google Talk). It is the Google version of Apple’s Facetime. I believe many Android users are happy to know about the new feature and are waiting for the update.

Personally, I don’t like to do video chat because I cannot keep my eyes on the camera. Once I move my eyes away, the other party would wonder things like “Are you doing other tasks?” “Why are you not concentrate on the conversation?” I feel more comfortable with voice only chat, seriously.

How about you? What’s your video chat experience?