Google Messenger, Google Talk, and Hangouts to unify as Google Babble

Google has a host of messaging services across platforms and formats. Reports from Geek.com suggest that Google will soon unite those services - including Google+ Messenger and Hangouts, and Google Talk - as one app for mobile, desktop, and the web.

According to multiple sources speaking to Geek.com, Google will soon release a new messaging service called Google Babble. The upcoming Babble would enable photo sharing and group messaging as seen in Google+ Messenger, live video chats from G+ Hangouts, and support private instant messaging like Google Talk. Babble would debut as an Android and Chrome OS app and would eventually enable users of Google's previous chat services to communicate with each other regardless of platform.

There's no confirmed timetable for the service to debut, but rumors suggest Google I/O could be a possible launchpad. The migration to Babble has the potential to disrupt workflow and cause plenty of headaches depending on how Google chooses to handle users who may prefer using separate apps for different functions. However, it could also give Google the opportunity to simplify its services.Google+ and Google Talk are separate apps that enable many conversations, but Babble could potentially simplify options and prevent the need to switch between apps to communicate in different ways.

BlackBerry received high praise for its ability to enable text, voice, and video communication in BlackBerry Messenger. Rather than jump between three different modes of communicating, BBM users can seamlessly transition from one form to the next; Google could do the same with Babble. Google would have the unique opportunity to take things one step further and not limit users to mobile communication because it already supports desktop and mobile integration in its chat apps.