SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Nothing moves more quickly on the internet than gossip, and nothing helps it move more quickly than Instant Messaging programs. According to a report in the Tuesday issue of the Los Angeles Times, that process is about to become even easier thanks to Google.If the unnamed sources mentioned in the Times article are correct, the major search portal is about to expand its reach to include both text and voice services by using the open-source solution Jabber, which will also allow users to communicate with subscribers of other IM services, including AOL’s ICQ and Apple’s iChat. Rumored to be called Google Talk, the new service may launch as early as today and is expected to give online voice pioneer Skype a run for its money.

During the past year Google has introduced a number of services that expand upon its well liked search abilities. Among those are email, online maps, news headlines, music, and the Google Sidebar, a stand-alone application that provides live info updates. If a reality, Google Talk will arrive on the scene just as major power brokers in the IM world – Yahoo, Microsoft, and AOL – focus on upgrading their services and expanding into the rapidly growing internet telephone services market. The possible move into Instant Messaging signifies a change in Google’s professional strategy, with an increased focus on broad-based internet media services in addition to its historic web search offerings.

Representatives of Google have declined to comment on the issue.