Rumors have turned to facts for those predicting that information-conglomerate Google would deploy a voice-based piece to their Google Apps platform. Dubbed “Google Voice“, the newly-announced platform leaves many with lots of questions about the future of voice communications. Direct from the newly-launched Google Voice website, here are some of the features available with a Google Number and Google Voicemail service:
* Call screening – Announce and screen callers * Listen in – Listen before taking a call * Block calls – Keep unwanted callers at bay * SMS – Send, receive, and store SMS * Place calls – Call US numbers for free * Taking calls – Answer on any of your phones * Phone routing – Phones ring based on who calls * Forwarding phones – Add phones and decide which ring * Voicemail transcripts – Read what your voicemail says * Listen to voicemail – Check online or from your phone * Notifications – Receive voicemails via email or SMS * Personalize greeting – Vary greetings by caller * Share voicemail – Forward or download voicemails Promoting a “one number” solution sounds great to the end user, and best of all, it’s free. Free inbound and outbound calls, free voicemail, free call handoffs, voicemail to text transcription, call recording… and the list continues. However, is this a “too good to be true” offer? I ultimately have to wonder, once again, about my privacy as a potential end-user of the service, in more ways than one. First of all, Google has utilized subtle advertising on its other Google Apps services, including Gmail and Google Docs. Will we be soon listening to a short advertising message before our call completes, or before we listen to a voicemail? Secondly, and more important than advertising concerns, is our privacy. Recently, the social networking community has been questioned about invasive and below-the-bar terms of service. Will we ultimately know and agree with Google Voice’s terms of service, or we fall into the oblivion that has gripped millions of Facebook and Myspace users? Don’t get me wrong… I have no doubt that a service like Google Voice will become infectious, but the very thought that concerns analysts and industry watchers is that it will become infectious. In fact, it was only a matter of time before Google filled its lack of a voice feature set. Back in August 2008, I predicted such that such a service was in the works by Google. Now, we have proof.
