Google optimizes mobile GTalk web client for iPhonenators

Google already had an iPhone-optimized version of their mobile portal since late last year. Today, however, the Google Talk team has released a new web client that doesn't rely on Flash, making it possible to chat with your GTalk contacts via your iPhone.

Now, I don't use GTalk that much. I have a Google account through consequence of having previously used Blogger to run my blog. I'm a big fan of search and maps, and occasionally use some of the other tools. But I do occasionally run into situations where I need to chat with someone not on the iChat bandwagon. I don't find GTalk quite as amazing as some do, but it's certainly serviceable. The iPhone-optimized version, though, may just make it a little more useable, in more ways than one.

Here are the main two screens for GTalk for iPhone: the contact list and the chat window.

You can see in these screenshots (courtesy of iPhone Simulator) that the interface is clean and simple. You can set your status at the top; it will automatically be set to away if you close the Mobile Safari window it is running in. There is also a scrollable list of contacts. Simply click one and start chatting away. At the top of the chat window is a drop down that will list any other open chats and let you switch among them. There's also a visible yellow highlight on the drop-down as well as the main contact list when there is a reply waiting.

Using Fluid, you can create a handy desktop GTalk client. A bonus feature I found is that I can have a custom GTalk desktop app, via the very handy Fluid. I created an SSB that goes straight to the URL for the iPhone-optimized version, set the browser agent to Mobile Safari, and set the window to iPhone size. It's far more convenient than running via the browser, and for me, it keeps things compartmentalized enough that I find it useful to keep open while I work.

But, mobile GTalk does have issues. The main UI gripe I have with the client is that there is no way to add new contacts, or receive a chat from a new contact. The only way to do this is via the main web interface, which is possible to get to via Mobile Safari. It still adds extra unnecessary steps, and I was quite frustrated until I figured out the workaround.

Another significant problem seems to stem from the client's use of some sort of JavaScript or other method that keeps the browser constantly loading. Whatever mechanism is being used, running the GTalk web client seems to run down the iPhone's battery much faster than expected based on some informal testing in Ars Orbiting HQ. Even with iPhone 3G's improved battery life, that could still be a deal-killer for heavy users.

Still, it's a step in the right direction. With Jabber transports, its possible to chat with users of other protocols as well, so it could be a one-stop solution. Perhaps Google will consider a native application for improved performance. It would be nice to be able to work with the push notifications that iPhone 2.0 offers as well. Or maybe Apple or Adium will beat Google to the punch. Either way, a free way to chat without adding costly SMS charges is a nice thing to have.