Expanding its service still further, Google is set to launch an instant voice and text messaging system this week. The system will be called Google Talk and could be launched today or very soon to it. It allows users to hold voice conversations with other computer users, and could be regarded as being similar to Skype, the free VoIP (voice over internet protocol) software. It is likely that the service will include an internet-based text-messaging component, not unlike MSN Messenger.