Today Google introduced a major new feature to the chatting program that's embedded within Gmail. Gmail users can now expand their chats to include live audio and video of their contacts.Standalone chat programs such as AIM and Yahoo IM have offered voice and video chat for years. None of the major Web mail clients offer video chatting capabilities from within the e-mail program itself, however. Rather, you have to sign in to the standalone clients for video chat. Gmail's chat application integrates some of the basic features found in third-party chat programs, but has yet to deploy more advanced functions. No longer.

Google is now offering browser-based voice and video chat as an extension to Web mail and instant messaging, giving users a range of communication methods for reaching out to their contacts, be it via e-mail, instant message, voice, or video.

Google says:

To get started, open a Gmail chat window, click on the "Options" menu at the bottom, and choose "Add voice/video chat," which will walk you through the installation of a free plug-in (a 2-MB download). When you re-open Gmail you'll notice your "Options" link in your chat window has changed to "Video & more." Open this menu and click "Start video chat" to see and hear your partner in high-quality video. You can pop out the video and change its size and position, or switch to full screen.

Google is rolling out the new feature over the next day or so, on both Macs and PCs. Google Apps customers get this service as well, at no extra charge, and can video chat with any other Gmail or Apps users. In order to use the video or voice chat, PC users will need WinXP or higher, and Mac users will need an Intel-based machine running at least OS 10.4.

As far as the browser is concerned, the new features are supported in Chrome (duh), as well as Firefox versions 2.0 and higher, Internet Explorer 7 and up, and Safari 3.0.

What are you waiting for? Download the plug-in and and start voice/video chatting!