The Demand for Google Voice on Cell Phones May Force Tough Choices For Consumers, Carriers And Handset Manufacturers.
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog on why I was using Google Voice only as a spam filter. I explained that I was impressed with the way the application let me control how select groups of people contacted me and how easy it was to block spam and unwanted callers. I also expressed a desire to use Google Voice as my only number, so I could have this type of control with everyone that calls me. But I felt I needed an application for my cell phone that could present my Google Voice number as the caller ID on outbound calls. This would prevent people from returning calls directly to my cell phone and bypassing my Google Voice call routing rules. Recent developments lead me to believe that the mobile phone application that will allow me to fully embrace Google Voice exists, but it may require I change phones and or carriers.
Since I wrote my first blog on Google Voice, I have switched from a Motorola Q to the Palm Pre. I was excited to learn about a homebrew app for the Pre called dkGoogleVoice. But while dkGoogleVoice makes it easier to make calls using Google Voice, it does not always replace the cell phone outbound caller ID with your Google Voice number. The lifehacker Blog titled “Unofficial Google Voice App Lands on Palm Pre“ explains the application in greater detail. Of course I could switch phones. There are Google Voice apps for the iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices. Unfortunately, Apple recently blocked all Google Voice apps for the iPhone. There are rumors that Google is developing a web app for the iPhone that will provide access to Google Voice. But it is unclear if this app will provide the seamless intergation I want. As for Blackberry, it is my understanding that the app’s integration with the phone dialer is not tight enough to seamlessly make the Google Voice number appear as the outbound caller ID on all calls. It seems the Android app is the only option that would allow me to effectively use my use Google Voice as my only number.
So, I’m forced to make a tough choice; my Pre or Google Voice. As much as I would like to use Google Voice as my one and only number, I think I’ll stay with my Pre for now. I like it too much to ditch it for an Android phone solely to take full advantage of Google Voice. But I will be disappointed if there is not an acceptable Google Voice app for the Pre in the near future. Michael Arrington’s blog ”How I Learned To Quit The iPhone And Love Google Voice” documents his move from the iPhone to an Android device to get access to a good Google Voice app. It is a great example of how the availability of a powerful converged communication application can drive consumer behavior.
It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out. I wonder if Palm will make a fully integrated Google Voice app available for the Pre, or will they follow Apple’s lead? Will Apple reverse their decision? Will Sprint view Google Voice as a threat or a way to woo customers away from AT&T? What if Apple or any of the cell phone carriers launch their own “single number” application with advanced call routing features to counter Google Voice? If Google Voice maintains its appeal and continues to add significant numbers of users; consumers, carriers and handset manufacturers will all face some tough choices.
