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Google Talk

 

 

Google Talk

Google Talk™ for BlackBerry® smartphones allows you to chat in virtual real-time with your instant messaging (IM) contacts when and where you want to – not just when you’re in front of your computer.

It has many of the same features you already use with Google Talk on your desktop, including1:

  • Fast and reliable messaging
  • Your Friends' presence updates (e.g. 'Available' or 'Offline'), in virtual real-time
  • The ability to customize your own status messages (e.g. ‘Back in 5 mins’, ‘On the Phone’)
  • Emoticons to express yourself
  • The ability to invite multiple users into one conversation
  • New! The ability to personalize Google Talk with a buddy picture—use an image of yourself or display your favorite icon2

And with Google Talk on your BlackBerry smartphone, you can also:

  • Communicate with other Google Talk users even while using other applications on your BlackBerry device
  • Set up custom notifications for new Google Talk messages

Download From Your BlackBerry Smartphone

If the Google Talk icon is already on your home screen after you register your BlackBerry smartphone, all you have to do is click the icon and follow the instructions to install the service3.

If you don’t see the icon on your home screen, browse to http://mobile.blackberry.com on your BlackBerry device and select Google Talk from the list.

Download From Your Computer

First, check the system requirements to ensure your smartphone will support Google Talk. Then you're ready to download!

Learn More

1 Check with service provider for roaming arrangements, service plans and supported features and services. Certain features may require a minimum version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server Software, BlackBerry Desktop Software, BlackBerry Internet Service and/or BlackBerry smartphone software.

2 Only available for BlackBerry smartphones running a 4.1.0 operating system or above.

3 Your smartphone must be in an area of wireless coverage and connected to the wireless network.

 

Getting Started

Once you’ve installed Google Talk™ for BlackBerry® smartphones, all you need to get started is a Gmail™ account. If you already have one, you can use the same username and password to sign into Google Talk on your BlackBerry device.

If you don't have a GMail account or you'd like to set up a new one, ask a friend with a GMail account to send you an invite, or visit Google's site to sign up.

To sign in, first make sure your BlackBerry device is connected to a wireless network. Then:

  1. Click the Google Talk icon on your BlackBerry device home screen
  2. Enter your Gmail username and password
  3. Click the ‘Sign-in’ button

Note: If you have a Gmail account, you can simply sign in with your  user name. If you have a googlemail.com address, you must type in the whole address (‘<username>@googlemail.com’).

How do I...?

Add a Friend:

  1. On the Google Talk Friends screen, click the trackwheel or trackball
  2. Click Add a Friend
  3. In the ‘User name’ field, type your contact's email address
  4. Click OK

Note: When the contact you’ve just added accepts your invitation, their name and status will appear in your Friends list.

Set my availability status:

  1. On the Friends screen, click the trackwheel or trackball
  2. Click My Status
  3. Click Available, Busy, or type a custom message
  4. Click OK

Start a conversation:

  1. On the Google Talk Friends screen, choose a Friend who’s online and click on their name
  2. Click Start Conversation
  3. Type a message.
  4. Press the Enter key.

View my calendar during a conversation:

  1. Click the trackwheel or trackball
  2. Click View Calendar

Note: To return to your conversation, press the Escape button.

Customize my sign-in process:

Choose the sign-in option that works best for you:

  • 'Save password' means you don't have to enter your username and password every time you sign in
  • 'Automatically sign me in’ logs you in to the service whenever you turn on your BlackBerry device in a wireless coverage area

Learn More

 

 

System Requirements

Before downloading Google Talk™ for your BlackBerry® smartphone, check to see that you meet the below requirements:

  • 16 MB BlackBerry smartphone with a color screen (BlackBerry® 7100 Series, BlackBerry® 7200 Series, BlackBerry® 7500 Series, BlackBerry® 7700 Series, BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphone, BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphone, BlackBerry® 8700 Series, or BlackBerry® 8800 series), and BlackBerry device software v4.0 or higher. (Go to Options -> About to find your device's software version. If you are not running software v4.0 or higher, visit your service provider's website to update)
  • 200 kB (200000 bytes) of free memory (Go to Options -> Status to find your device's free memory)
  • A Gmail™ User ID and password (You can obtain a Gmail UserID and password by being invited by a friend who has one or by entering your mobile phone number at https://www.google.com/accounts/SmsMailSignup1)
  • Accurate time zone and time settings on your BlackBerry device - before using Google Talk for BlackBerry smartphones, please ensure you have verified that your time zone and time settings within the Options screen are correct
  • BlackBerry data service
  • If your device is connected to a BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, your IT Department must have IT Policy set to allow Google Talk functionality

Learn More

 

 

Google Talk Support

Need help getting started with Google Talk™ on your BlackBerry® smartphone? A variety of resources are available for support.

Important: Customer Support for Google Talk for BlackBerry devices is not provided by wireless service providers. Please consult the resources below for product support information.

Find the Answers

Get answers to your questions by searching the BlackBerry® Technical Solution Center

BlackBerry Support Community Forums

Get help from other users in our support community forum

Get Google Talk Support from Your BlackBerry Smartphone

A full help section is available from inside the application by pressing the Menu key on your BlackBerry smartphone (depending on your smartphone, this may be the key to the left of your trackball, or the trackwheel on the right hand side of the device).

Additional Support

IT Administrator Support

Learn More