Although Google actually replaced their Gtalk client with the one for Google Hangouts way back in 2013, there hadn't been a complete Gtalk shutdown until now, since the Windows version of the popular instant messaging service was still up and running since its first release - until now.
Following the 2005 release of the very first Google instant messaging app, the time for a full Gtalk shutdown is finally here, as Windows users are the last to catch up with Hangouts - now, the tech giant is suggesting fans of the original app to migrate towards Hangouts and install the Chrome extension.
According to IBN Live, the Gtalk shutdown was a long time coming, as it was on May 2013 that Google announced that the technology was being replaced by Hangouts in Android devices (the very first step), until ultimately announcing last October that they'd stop supporting the Gtalk Windows app as well.
Of course, as the Gtalk shutdown had been expected for a long time, most have already migrated to the new platform - but there are many others still "stuck" in the previous app, in spite of Google insisting there are more advantages to the new instant messaging service, though many miss the "invisible" mode or just don't want to use Google Chrome.
According to First Post, the decision to finally perform the Gtalk shutdown could be one of the reasons behind Whatsapp recently launching a web client, much like other messaging app Telegram had done before: it seems like the entirety of IM apps are currently fighting to the death to see which one ends up in the top spot.
Business Tech reports that the shutdown will not only mean that the official Google Talk app will cease to function, but third party applications like Pidgin, Adium and others will cease getting supported after the final Gtalk shutdown.
