Real-time text in Instant Messaging

Real-time text is text transmitted instantly while it is being typed or created. The recipient can immediately read the sender's text as it is written, without waiting. It combines the advantages of text-based messaging, with the interactive conversational nature of a telephone conversation.

This site features a web-based demonstration that lets you try out real-time text for yourself. You can even use your regular Google account to talk to other Google users who use real-time text-enabled software, including this web page.

And the best thing: It is fully integrated into the Google Talk ecosystem, so messages are stored and logged in your account as usual. If the other side is not real-time text-enabled, they still receive your messages; they just cannot see while you type.

• Try out the standalone web-based demo
• Try out the integration with your Google account
• Source code under Apache 2.0 license (on GitHub)

See the Real Time Text Task Force site for more information. See the Real Jabber site for more information on using real-time text with Instant Messaging, utilizing the XMPP Extension Protocol standard XEP-0301. This standard has been authored by Mark Rejhon and co-authored by Gunnar Hellström.

Real-time text preview

The demonstrations on this page also feature the Technology Access Program's invention of a suitable user interface for presenting real-time text. This kind of user interface is called "Real-time text preview" and displays the message, as it is being typed, seamlessly within the chat window in the position where users accustomed to turn-based instant messaging expect to see text. The key advantage is familiarity - users are presented with what they already know and do not need to master a different user interface.

Acknowledgments

The development of this code was in part supported by funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, grant number H133E090001 (RERC on Telecommunications Access). However, this work does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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