GMail adds voice and video chat

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Yet more new features for everyone’s favourite webmail client, Google Mail. This time, the team has enabled video and voice chatting on the service, which joins SMS, OpenID, Calendar and Doc gadgets and emoticon support on the feature list.

Google’s going to be rolling out the new functionality over the course of today, so if you can’t get it yet, then try again a little later. To get to it, you’ll need to install a small plugin, which you can pick up here, and then it’ll appear in the bottom of your chat windows.

Let us know in the comments how it performs on your broadband connection, and how you think it compares to similar services, like Skype.

Google Video Chat (via Official GMail Blog)

Related things Google has added to Gmail recently: SMS | OpenID | Calendar and Doc gadgets | Emoticon support

SHINY VIDEO PREVIEW: Archos 7 media tablet

The other day at a trade show I got some hands-on experience with the Archos 7 media tablet. You can see the results in the video above, but what I really wonder is who the market for these devices is. They’re not easily controllable enough to have a good web experience. The streaming media is good, but if you’re in wi-fi range of your server, then why would you need to stream?

VIDEO: Energy & Efficiency, episode 7

Today I take a look at energy saving light bulbs. Sure, we’ve all replaced our old fashioned coal-powered light bulbs with new, efficient nuclear models to save money and/or the world – but now what? Is that it? Is there no more energy to be saved?

Yes! There is lots more energy to be saved! Allow me to tell you how to reduce your electricity bills further still, thanks to a little invention I’m calling “No Light bulbs.”

I can only apologise for the poor picture quality. It’s not a joke, I just cleaned the lens

3 to launch one-touch YouTube mobile phone in UK early next year

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With all the fuss surrounding the likes of the iPhone (O2) and the HTC G1 (T-Mobile), it seems that 3 is feeling a little left out, and so has said that it will launch a Sony Ericsson Walkman phone offering one button access to YouTube.

Due to be launched first in Italy, followed by the UK early next year, the phone will allow users to upload videos directly to YouTube. Sounds like a recipe for disaster as it becomes even easier to upload videos of drunken nights out. According to 3 Italia, mobile service usage increases by around one-third when direct access is supported — in other words, stick a button on a mobile phone that gives access to just one service, and people are more likely to use it. Magic…

Qik mobile video-streaming application comes to BlackBerry

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Qik, the popular mobile video-streaming service, has just launched a client for BlackBerry devices. Qik allows users to stream video from their mobile device to websites and blogs over a 3G, Wi-Fi or GPRS connection. As of sometime this morning, it now works on RIM devices running BlackBerry OS 4.5 and above, including the Pearl 8120, Pearl 8130, and the recently released BlackBerry Bold. Qik clients for the BlackBerry Curve and Flip 8220 should be available soon…

VIDEO: Energy & Efficiency, episode 5

It’s bad enough having to wash your clothes, but when the washing process sucks up vast piles of water and electricity and costs you money it’s downright INFURIATING!

Which is why today’s tip addresses how to get your washing machine working for you. Make it more efficient, get it running better while saving money AND the environment in the process. It’s a complete no-brainer!

Can anyone recommend a good plumber…