• by Shankar Gupta , August 30, 2005

United Virtualities Monday released a software update for its free HotRecorder VOIP recording program that will allow it to operate with Google's new instant messaging and free Internet telephone feature.

HotRecorder, which is available for free or in a premium version, allows users to record, store, search, and send via e-mail their voice conversations or conference calls.

United Virtualities Founder Mookie Tenembaum said the company put its programmers to work on making HotRecorder compatible with Google Talk almost immediately, because they foresee Google becoming one of the top VOIP operators. "We know that very soon Google Talk will become the second or first largest VOIP operator," said Tenembaum. "They're the only one that can compete with Skype."

Skype, along with Internet companies Yahoo!, MSN, and America Online, all have their own VOIP products. Google's beta product, Google Talk, was released last week amid much speculation and hype in the search engine-watching community. Any user with a Gmail ID can download the search giant's free VOIP and instant messaging product.

According to Tenembaum, Google's high-profile brand was another reason that United Virtualities was interested in making their recorder compatible with the search giant's software. "Google is the most recognized brand in the Internet," he said. "Today Google is seen all over the Web."

Google Talk joins a number of applications which HotRecorder can communicate with using VOIP, including Skype, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and Net2Phone.