Gmail adds video chat for Linux

[mjgoins]

This package installs a cron job that affects how apt functions on your system. You're basically giving google root on your machine.

[macemoneta]

Yeah, a closed source application installed as root, with the express purpose of accessing your webcam and microphone. What could go wrong?

[acdha]

If you run their code in any way you're already giving them control of your system. Even if you're one of the vanishingly small number of people who use a separate admin account they're getting full control of your account if they want it.

Installing a repo & apt key is a good sign that they're playing by the rules rather than trying something sneaky.

[mgunes]

Video chat via Google credentials has already been working for some time using the Empathy messaging client, without the need for a dedicated one.

[ZeroGravitas]

Unless I'm mistaken it's not a dedicated client. It's a dedicated web plugin that enables video chat within your browser at gmail.com.

[duck]

Does anyone know why this took so long?

[obsaysditto]

Tried it out and works very well on first run. Installed the .deb package and restarted Chrome.

[daleharvey]

I cant quite tell from the posts, but with gears they got to experiment with creating new web standards through a plugin, have they tried to do that with this and html5 devices? that would be awesome news.

[yanw]

How would you go about accessing the mic and cam with html5?

[Locke1689]

Cool. What codecs and streaming protocol do they use?

[stanleydrew]

I think everything runs over XMPP just like Google talk.

[mstevens]

Doesn't work for me - crashes every time I try to start a video call.

Problem reported to google, will see what happens.