Look out Yahoo Messenger, MSN Windows Messenger and Skype! There's a new kid on the block named Google Talk. Google launched its Google Talk beta late yesterday (Aug. 23). The client software integrates with Gmail and the service is now open to Gmail users only.

The three Internet search rivals -- plus upstart Skype -- are now directly competing with each other on instant messaging (IM) and Internet telephony / voice over IP (VoIP) services.

Things just got a whole lot more interesting.