Google continues to take on the big boys as they compete with Microsoft and the other various software companies that are trying to take over our lives. This time Google has entered the Instant Messager fray with a client of their own called “Google Talk” that also includes Voice Over IP capabilities. But is MSN Messenger already too ingrained into people’s daily routines to be overthrown? Google Talk does feature a simplistic interface, and in typical Google fashion has no ads (unlike Messenger’s growing plethora of extra tabs and flashing banners). They also plan to make the protocol open to third-party clients such as Trillian. One sticking point is that it requires that you sign up for a Gmail account (now open to the public and, of course, still free). Click below to download the Google Talk Beta now.

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