The Google Mobile team today sent out invites to a select number of media outlets inviting them to attend a special Google Mobile event at the company's San Francisco offices on Thursday.

The invite, which promises the ?unveiling [of] a couple of cool new mobile features,? was sent out earlier this morning to select media outlets via email, and provides little information about what will be revealed on Thursday.

While it's unclear exactly what the Mobile team will announce at the meeting, All Things D writer Kara Swisher is speculating that Google mobile product management director Hugo Barra's demonstration to the media could include video calling support, which would rival Apple's entry into the world of video calling for the iPhone, FaceTime.

Native support for video calling is not yet present on Android devices -- although several applications can be downloaded from the Android Marketplace that support video conversations. So it's a plausible thought that Google is keen to add support for video calling as soon as possible to avoid losing ground to Apple, whose FaceTime voice calling application has seen rave reviews for it's simplicity and ease of use.

Swisher also throws out the possibility that Google could release it's own Android-based version of Apple's 'Find my iPhone' app which allows iPhone users to track their devices and wipe or display messages on the device if lost.

http://www.neowin.net/news/google-mo...lling-to-debut

Video calling has been around for years and I don't see it taking off, especially in Europe.

Everyone had this in 2004. Why are people trying to convince us its the latest thing?

Maybe Americans like the whole seeing-your-face aspect more than we do. Still a massive gimmick in my book though - I don't know why they think it's the second coming, Skype didn't revolutionise the world after all.

Dont most people walk and talk, or at least do something while they are talking on the phone. Never wanted to see the face of the person I am talking to.

no im not fussed with it either, its a more an American thing i feel, they hardly text compared to us, they call each other, brits don't as much

anyway not fussed about that, i hope they have some more features for us android boys

For video calling to stand any chance of taking off, it needs to be backwards compatible with most other handsets, I can't see Google and Apple playing ball when it comes to it.

about sums it up in a nut shell, been there done that, why try to reinvent it again.

There are other things they shoud be concerntrating on, example - sorting bugs out in the curent OS.

I feel better for getting that of my chest

Why try to reinvent it again?

Because Apple have very few idea's for the iphone, look at what is actually new in this new one. a better resolution and this video calling gimmick.

Everything else they have upgraded is what is currently out there in most smart phones.

pointless

you say old stuff, but 3D was a big thing a long long time ago... and now look

anyone know a country where video calling has taken off? I guess it will only be useful for businesses where they do video conferencing.

I used to have video calling on my old SE - never used it - I could see how it might be a nice thing to have if someone you wanted to talk to on the other side of the world had the same technology but I think it's a long way from being something that anyone else would want to be doing. It's monopolising the majority of your senses - harder to multitask when you've got your video going... still could have it's 'fun' applications

iPhone is not even that good as you need to be connected over WiFi for it to work.... Video calling from 2-3 years ago worked over the mobile network FFS

Yup, and the iPhone concept was attempted back nearly 20 years ago with the Apple Newton (or just about) and it took till 2007 for it to succeed. Maybe video calling's time is now....although to be honest I'm not that convinced.

Might it be the features in the next edition of Android? Isn't that due in September/October time?

Also... didn't Google say something about buying music through the marketplace was going to be available when Froyo is released... is this currently available?

i see gmail has updated the contacts section, more focus on phone numbers and a better lay out

I know literally nobody who has ever made a videocall. Even with their iphone. The UK does not give a toss.

Can this be watched live like the I/O 2010 event.... Think that was here - http://code.google.com/ or maybe here - http://www.youtube.com/user/GoogleDevelopers

Things that hold technology back are not having the means to build the technology, the technology not being stable enough to use and lack of demand.

Pretty sure that video calling can be filed under the last point there. Christ, half the time I dont want to talk to someone on my phone. Text messages are a mans best friend.

Yes, with crap phones, crap data packages, crap data network etc... etc...

Apple have made it pretty appealing with the new iPhone, works over wifi and doesn't eat into your monthly minutes (a great plus in my opinion).

For those saying "omg it needs to work over 3g" obviously don't understand the requirements for smooth video/voice.

Is it going to change the world? No.

Is it a nice additional use for the additional camera? Yes. Couples / family etc can chat for free and with video. I don't see the problem.

Google Conference was yesterday:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/g...messages-find/

Just search Android Market for Voice Search - its the latest version 2.0x

Bear in mind a lot of custom ROMs e.g. Cyan 6 are not compatible with this unless you fancy some ADB fun

Google has announced a new voice recognition application and an app which allows users to send content with one click to phones running Android 2.2 -- both of which are available for download now -- at a press event in San Francisco earlier today.

The voice recognition app, dubbed 'Voice Actions' by Google and available for download now, allows users to speak actions into their Android smartphone and even dictate messages and emails simply by speaking. While many other devices, including the popular iPhone (although commands supported leave much to be desired), offer voice recognition features, Voice Actions has perhaps the most comprehensive offerings, with current actions available including:

* send text to [contact] [message]
* listen to [artist/song/album]
* call [business]
* call [contact]
* send email to [contact] [message]
* go to [website]
* note to self [note]
* navigate to [location/business name]
* directions to [location/business name]
* map of [location]

All voice proccessing is done on Google's servers rather than the phone, with the upcoming Motorola Droid 2 to become the first phone to have the application pre-installed when it ships. Those with a Nexus One device that has been updated to Android 2.2 can download the application from the Android Marketplace now, although support is limited to US English for the moment. Google says more languages will be available "soon".

The Chrome to Phone extension meanwhile allows users who browse the web using Google's own web browser, Chrome, to with just one click send the current web page they are on, a map, YouTube video, or even selected phone number or text over-the-air to their Android phone - which must be running the latest version of Android, 2.2 (or code-named Froyo).

Earlier speculation that Google may have announced better support for video calling for Android, to rival Apple's FaceTime application, proved false, with the search giant choosing to reserve any such announcements for a later date - perhaps October, when Android 3.0 is widely expected to be unveiled.

It's useful if you have children & work away I suppose too.

Voice recognition or chrome to phone ? confused ..... ahh you mean the video phone thing ?

Just experimented with the voice actions with very very mixed results... guess its not so forgiving with pronounciation.
I spoke the words:
"I've booked the friday off work so I'll be down for the bank holiday" as an email and it gave me:
"I love it when you leave today sex movie down for the love sponge holiday"......!!!! lol

Ha ha, yeah that's what I meant!

Regarding the video calling and face time, you can do this with Fring for free, over WIFI and 3G.

How can Apple have made it appealing? It only works via Apple iPhone 4 to Apple iPhone 4 devices - it appeals to Apple iPhone 4 customers, which will be a small % of phone users.

It's actually a pretty dumb feature, unless you're prepared to go find a public WiFi service whilst out and about - it's only going to be useful in the home or work place where you have WiFi access.

Much better to use your laptop and something like Skype though.