The idea was brought up at WebmasterWorld. The next logical step for Google to compete with the other public companies is to start an instant messaging service. Team up with AOL, like Apple did with its iChat? Start its own service like Yahoo and MSN did? Either way, it would catch on.
As one member pointed out, the Google IM service would probably be text based, similar to IRC. But, if they would launch such a service would they throw in those text based Ads by Google AdWords?
AOL has ads. I don't use MSN or Yahoo's service, do they have ads? I love iChat, because there are no ads.
Can you imagine typing a message to a buddy, asking them if they know of a good place to buy a new laptop. Then suddenly something pos up on your screen, this little text ad by Google recommending laptop stores for you to purchase that laptop.