The video and voice capabilities are embedded in the webmail interface and serve as an addition to the already existing chat function.
The new additions come as Gmail races with Yahoo and Microsoft to make the online web experience as social as possible.
As of September, Gmail is the third-largest e-mail service, with 113 million worldwide users, and lags behind Microsoft, which had 283 million users, and Yahoo, which had 274 million, according to comScore.
Neither Yahoo nor Microsoft has video chat embedded in their e-mail. Rather, the feature is available on their instant messaging services, Yahoo messenger and Windows Live.
The new Gmail feature is similar to Skype, but not identical; Gmail voice and video cannot connect to plain phones, unlike the eBay-owned calling service.
Even if the person you’re chatting with hasn’t downloaded the feature, you can still make a 1-way video call.
The new feature can be easily added. Upon logging into your Gmail account, download the voice and video plug-in, close all open browsers, and install the plug-in.
To learn more about the feature, click on Gmail “settings” and go to the “video and voice chat” heading.
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