Skype gets competition: Google integrates video telephony into its mail service

Google has added voice and video chat to its email service Gmail. From Wednesday, free calls can be made over the Internet without having to switch to another application or account. In addition to a webcam, a plug-in for the web browser is required for use. A Google Mail account is required. The service is activated via the options button in the Gmail chat window.
The search engine operator is competing with the new chat service Skype. Unlike the Internet telephony service, no new software needs to be downloaded for Google's video chat. In addition, Skype does not offer any other communication services, such as e-mail. According to Berlecon Research analyst Philipp Bohn, Skype will have to give up its supremacy in the longer term or solve this problem.