Well, Google Babble – the unified messaging platform that Google is said to be developing – turned out to be Babel instead (not that we are complaining), and now, a list of the all the features that Babel will include has been outed, thanks to Droid Life who received a Google memo from one of their sources.

Being a result of a collaboration between the Google+, Android, Chrome and Apps teams at Google, Babel will be launched as a unified service for Android, iOS, as well as the company’s Chrome browser. Initially, the service will include Talk, Hangout, and Google+ Messenger, with support for sharing images and “emoting” via 800+ (yes, a massive number) emojis, while support for Google Voice will come later on via an update.

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Users will be able to group chat, look back at their previous chats, have their chats synced across various devices so that if you read a message on one device its notification will disappear from other devices, and more. Most of this is already possible via third-party instant messaging apps, but it will be great to see these features as default on Android (or Chrome on the desktop, or even the iPhone).

According to the memo, these will be the features of Google Babel (as Droid Life mention, the comic commentary was included by Google themselves):

  • Brand new UI. We’ve designed a new UI that’s applied across all clients and promotes conversations.
  • Stay in sync. With just one conversation list and experience across mobile and desktop, everything is always in sync. Install the Chrome app, the Android app, and iOS app.
  • Desktop app. Stop playing whack a mole across blinking browser tabs. With the new Chrome app your conversations continue outside of the browser.
  • Keep a group conversation going to coordinate with your team, and start a Hangout with a single tap whenever you need to talk face-to-face.
  • Be notified…just once. Get notifications on your two phones, tablet, laptop, and desktop. Open it on one and watch the others disappear. If you’re actively using your computer or phone we’ll even intelligently notify you on just one of those endpoints. Magic!
  • Message more than just text. Add a photo to the conversation and/or send some of the 800+ emoji to your coworkers. Kittens and poop are particularly helpful in explaining complex issues.
  • Get nostalgic. Scroll back in time and relive any (on-the-record) conversation, on any device.
  • More ways to talk. For the first time we are building a first class iOS experience. Try out our very early preview on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

As of now, no release date is known, but I’ll bet we’ll see Babel as one of the most talked about features during Google I/O in May, where Google is expected to show off Android 5.0 aka Key Lime Pie. While some users might not leave third-part IM apps for Babel, those who live and breathe Google’s services will no doubt love Babel for keeping in touch with their contacts.

What do you guys think? Excited?

Via: Droid Life