From Reuters, “Google Inc. is set to introduce its own instant messaging system, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday, marking the expansion by the Web search leader into text and also voice communications. Citing unnamed sources “familiar with the service,” the Los Angeles Times said that Google’s Instant Messaging program would be called Google Talk and could be launched as early as Wednesday.

“Google Talk goes beyond text-based instant messaging using a computer keyboard to let users hold voice conversations with other computer users, the newspaper quoted a source as saying. A Google spokeswoman declined to comment on the company’s product plans. If confirmed, the combined computer text and voice-calling service would put Google in competition with a similar service pioneered by Skype.”

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