Last month we told you about a rumor that Google would be combining Google Talk, Google Voice and Google Hangouts into one universal chat platform called Google Babble. It turns out that while the idea of the new service from Google still holds true, the name is looking a little different.

Thanks to TechRadar, we now know that the service is being called, at least internally and to testers, Google Babel. Not only has the name been revealed, but several shots of what the chat platform will look like have made their way online. As you can see in the image above, emoticon fans are going to feel right at home. A leaked internal Google memo also confirms this, mentioning that there will be more than 800 different emoji to choose from on Google Babel.

The memo also reveals the features we can expect to see when Google Babel makes its official appearance:

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 laying 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.

It sounds like Google is building a really solid service here. The intelligent notifications sound especially great. But like with all unreleased services and products, we’ll have to withhold judgement until it’s been officially announced by Google themselves and its in users’ hands.

But I have to say, I can’t wait.

[via TechRadar, Droid Life]