Google Talk

What an ingenious tool!

I usually leave the office for lunch even we can order something delivered to our facility just to get some fresh air, but not today. I got to stay to make an important phone call, to a best friend of mine, Matt.

I tried to call him via Skype a few days ago but the quality of voice was terrible. Since we both have Android phones we decided to switch to Google Talk so we could use the video chat service for free. It was good than ever. The talk didn't last long as we both got something else to do that day, and we managed to continue the chat today at my lunch break.

The first call from Matt was when I was still in a meeting. The phone was turned to silent mode and I could feel it vibrating in my vest pocket. I couldn't answer. Then I saw the massage. It was Matt requesting the video chat. I replied the message saying I would call him back at noon.

I was in the warehouse, where was in the range of one of the Wi-Fi hotspot that I could have the connection. After a few rings the display on my phone's screen changed. Then the familiar smile and face showed up. The voice was loud and clear, so as the picture quality. Unlike Skpye, Google Talk uses the whole screen for video and provides clearer pictures of whom I was talking to.

I have been using Google Talk for months, ever since the video chat function was released to my phone. Sometimes I would use it to talk to Helen while I was at work and she was at home. And for many times I used it at the kindergarten when I went to pick up Ethan to call Helen with 3G wireless service and let her know I got Ethan already, or let Helen see Ethan still playing  on the playground when I turned the camera on the top of the phone to him.

Or I would call Helen after work when I was sitting in my car, telling her I am going home and also sharing some news before I start the engine. Sometimes it is a good strategy to help me switching from "business mode" to "home mode". That is quite important to me for handling the pressure from work.

During my business trip in Germany, every morning I was always the first one arrived the restaurant on the first floor of the hotel, where was in the range of the Wi-Fi router. The signal in my room was terrible and couldn't even sustain a stable connection. I talked to Helen everyday for at least half an hour via Google Talk video chat before I started my breakfast. It was so comforting to be able to see the family everyday when traveling in the other side of the world.

So I do really like it. It has been integrated into the Android phone nicely. Good to have this in our life.