IMRadio integrates GoogleTalk playlists

San Jose Merc wire services: IMRadio integrates GoogleTalk playlists

A Santa Clara start-up that lets people legally listen to each other's music online has integrated Google's instant-message service into its software.

The pairing means users of Mercora's IMRadio can now access the playlists of GoogleTalk users and listen to their music.

Mercora's year-old, peer-to-peer service allows people to broadcast music that is on their computers to other Mercora users, acting as miniature online radio stations. Mercora was able to hook into the technology that powers GoogleTalk, an instant-message and voice-chat service that Google introduced in the summer.