Festoon is perhaps best known as the free-of-charge plugin that allows Skype users to add video and file-sharing. Skype Technologies SA was recently acquired by online auctioneer eBay Inc for $2.6bn, and the Skype VoIP package has proved to be hugely popular, with an estimated 62 million active users worldwide. The plugin for Skype achieved more than 2.75 million downloads and more than 40 million video call user minutes.

Once the Festoon is downloaded and installed, users can connect a web cam so they can see one another. With Festoon, Google Talk users can securely conduct video voice calls in groups from 2 to 200 and share photos, spreadsheets, presentations, or applications with others on a call.

Festoon offers high-quality group voice utilizing the industry leading GIPS audio codec used also by Google Talk, Skype, and AIM Triton. In future releases, users will be able to download additional video effects and immersive experiences.

We are committed to making it as easy as possible for you to communicate with your friends using the client that you want, said Google.