You have probably heard of a company called GrandCentral a few years ago. They made big news with their September 2006 beta launch of their service allowing people to use a single phone number for all of their phones. David Ulevitch of OpenDNS was the first person I knew that began using GrandCentral full-time. He had a single number that rang his office phone and mobile phone at the same time — a real convenience (of course GrandCentral could do many more things moving into 2007). At the time there were several latent issues with the mechanics of their service. If I sent David a text message, he wouldn’t receive it on the mobile phone he had linked to his account. Add on to that my confusion when he would call me back from a different number than his GrandCentral number, and it was no wonder that GrandCentral was only attempted by the tech-savvy elite.
I am of course talking about the basis of Google’s latest offering: Voice. Google snatched up GrandCentral almost exactly 2 years ago for a rumored $50M USD. Their plan? Turn GrandCentral’s offerings into a seamless experience suitable for anyone. After the acquisition, Google cut-off further GrandCentral user registrations while they transformed GrandCentral into Google Voice. Well the transformation is complete and Google Voice went public (well you still need an invite for the time being) last month.
If you’re completely new to Google Voice, here’s a short video from the Today Show that shows it off. They bring up a downside of Voice as being a privacy issue.. would you trust Google with all your voicemails and phone calls? I think that’s a moot point as most people already trust Google with their email, but I digress.
The Perks
So what does the newfangled Google Voice do that GrandCentral didn’t? Well for one, you can text message a Google Voice number and rest assured that it will be properly forwarded to that person’s mobile phone. When you add phones to Google Voice, it asks if the phone number you’re adding is a mobile device, so it knows where it can and can’t forward texts.
You can send texts directly through the web interface, as well as have it to connect calls.
As the sceenshot below shows, you might receive a lot of “wrong number” calls when you fire up your Google Voice number (in my experience). The same thing happened when I got my home VoIP line from Vonage. The number Google gives you is one they have acquired somehow, and in my two cases, very likely from people that had their number canceled from not paying or just didn’t tell their friends/etc they changed their number for whatever reason.
Wrong numbers have proved to be quite a problem. Fortunately Google Voice has many ways of handling these things.
As such I get a lot of calls from people looking for others, and they can be quite persistent, especially from companies like DirecTV that keep calling trying to get a hold of the previous phone number owner and never leave messages but just call back everyday. Regardless, handling unwanted calls in Google Voice is a breeze. Just like email, you can report a call as spam. The next time they attempt to call, they’ll receive one of those “this line has been disconnected” messages.
General Settings
Call Screening Info
I enabled call screening which requires first-time callers to say their name if they’re not in my contact list, which I loaded in from an OS X Address Book export using a small application called Address Book to CSV Exporter. Furthermore, Google Voice allows me to sort people into groups, each with separate actions associated with them.
Caller Groups Setting
Phones Settings
As for that “Balance” section, it’s for when you connect international calls.. which are ridiculously cheap, especially when connecting to landlines overseas (example: 2 cents per minute to Greece, 22 cents per minute to a mobile phone in Greece).
Google Voice stores all of your SMS converations online, in addition to voicemail messages that you can playback. Voice can also transcribe voicemail messages and then text and email you the voicemail message. I’ve found that especially handy if I can’t take a call (meeting or driving) and a few seconds later I receive a text message with the voicemail’s content. As for the accuracy of the transcription, well that’s up for debate. I’ve heard everything from “total crap” to “pretty good.” In my personal experience, I definitely think it needs some tweaking. I find it very handy though that it picks up phone numbers in voicemail messages and links to them.
Voice’s transcription of a real voicemail of mine.
In the example above, text that is slightly grayed out is where Google Voice wasn’t 100% sure of what was being said and had to guess. Overall though, this particular transcription isn’t terrible and anything it wasn’t sure about is pretty easy to figure out based on context or actually listening to the voicemail.
If voicemail transcription is a big deal to you, check out David Gallagher’s two posts in the NY Times below. He asked his readers to call his Google Voice number leave some creative voicemails. He then posted the audio alongside the Google transcription. He highlighted lots of situations where Google’s transcription tripped up considerably.
Voice can do some other things, such as record conversations (press 4 anytime during a call that you received, unfortunately it makes it obvious to the other party that you are recording.. so no sneaky stuff), but the point of this article is to show you my thoughts on the service and not explain what it does.
Yay or Nay?
First off, why am I so intrigued by Google Voice? I really, really like the idea of having a single number with features that are kind of like a firewall in a sense. I can setup various rules for different groups of people. I can have certain groups go straight to voicemail and hear a particular message (say if I’m on vacation and don’t want any business calls), all the while letting calls from friends and family get right in. Add on to that easy ways to entirely block calls, as well as voicemail transcription, and Google Voice becomes extremely attractive.
Almost better than all of that is the ability to easily add and change phones tied to your Google Voice number. If I want the latest mobile phone, I don’t have to worry about trying to port over my current cell phone number to it. I just add the new phone number to Google Voice and let it handle everything. That’s huge for me so I can try out the latest mobile phone without having to worry about porting over my number (and I can signup as a new customer and take advantage of those subsidized phone prices).
The problem is telling everyone my new Google Voice number. Right now, only a handful of people out of the ~100 regular contacts I keep in my phone are aware of my Google Voice number. However, it has been reported that this will soon change and Google will let you port your current number over to them:
Today you are issued a new phone number when you sign up for Google Voice. But we’ve confirmed that a very small number of people have ported their existing numbers to Google (Google uses Level3 to handle phone numbers). In the U.S. it’s possible to port any phone number to another service provider – even a mobile number to a voip provider like Level3.
TechCrunch: Google Voice’s Secret Weapon – Number Portability
Oh and I can’t forget to mention how convenient it is to be able to access everything from a familiar GMail-like interface online. But don’t worry, you don’t really need to use the web interface after you set everything up.
Of course there are still a few issues that need to be considered. One particular issue from back in the GrandCentral days still exists – if you call someone on your mobile phone, they’ll see that phone’s number instead of your Google Voice number.
Bridging the Gap with Mobile Apps
However, Google has figured out how to solve that issue too. They are deploying mobile applications (currently Android and BlackBerry) that take over the phone’s native dialer. Or at least that’s the idea. The experience isn’t quite the same as just calling a contact from your mobile phone. For example, with the Android application the phone (with the Dial Out setting) first calls Google, then you wait a bit and it automatically begins dialing your contact. There is also the Callback setting that, similar to the web interface, calls your phone and then when you pick up it starts ringing your contact. It’s a different way of doing things but overall a small price to pay to have such a powerful Google Voice number.
I only mentioned mobile applications for Android and BlackBerry. That’s because earlier today Apple (pressured by AT&T) pulled two Google Voice applications from the App Store and declined Google’s own Voice application for the iPhone, citing that it duplicates features already present in the iPhone. If you really want to embrace Google Voice, you’re best moving to an Android-powered phone.
Fortunately I was a GV Mobile application user before it was pulled from the App Store and am able to share some of what the application did:
Some of the features of the GV Mobile iPhone app.. that has since been pulled by Apple/AT&T.
Similar to the Google Voice web interface’s call connect feature, calls initiated through the GV Mobile app lead to you getting a call from your Google Voice number and when you pick it up, the other end will begin ringing.
Expanding Google Voice
I’ve only scratched the surface of Google Voice. There are a lot of ingenious ways to get the most out of it. For example, until mobile applications create a completely seamless Voice experience you can save each person’s unique “406″ number. I’ve linked to a much more detailed article on this at the end of this post, but in a nutshell, you text someone with your Google Voice number via the web interface and assuming you have text forwarding on, you will get their reply on your mobile phone as coming from a 406-XXX-XXXX number that you haven’t seen before. Save that number and text that person back using it, instead of their real number. That way it goes through Google Voice and they see the text message as coming from your Google Voice number. Yeah, it’s kind of hacky but that’s the current state of Google Voice.
Also, fellow Georgia Tech alum James Rintamaki wrote a great guide on how to Use Gizmo5 for free calls with Google Voice and hook up an ATA device to get free calls using a landline phone. If you know of any other such neat Google Voice uses, please share it in a comment.
Verdict
I know this isn’t a full review as I haven’t really put Voice to the test yet, but if I had to rate Google Voice, it would get a respectable 8 out of 10 Stammys from me. The big issue will be creating a seamless calling experience from mobile devices; having to launch another application instead of use native phone functions to call someone is a bit annoying. Apple/AT&T blocking Google Voice applications on the iPhone (Google Voice is a huge threat to carriers) isn’t helping this situation one bit, and it doesn’t seem like I will be getting that experience I’m looking for. If this keeps up, an Android phone will be in my future (HTC Hero?).
Essential Resources
So you just got your Google Voice account and want to jump right in — here are a few must-reads:
Thanks to @Chanathan for pointing me the great resources above, and Jeremy Seger and an anonymous user for their Skribit suggestions that I take a look at Google Voice.
Are you a Google Voice user? If not, why? Are you waiting for better mobile phone integration? If you are a user, how do you like it so far? I for one would love to port my cell phone number over to Google Voice. Or I could buy this number (GV lets you search for numbers and purchase for a one-time fee of $10):
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Great post!! It has really good insight into Google Voice. Since Google Voice isn’t launched internationally, I am not able to try it out. But thanks to your post. Keep up!!
Great post!! It has really good insight into Google Voice. Since Google Voice isn’t launched internationally, I am not able to try it out. But thanks to your post. Keep up!!
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
The main reason I haven’t used Google Voice more (I’ve had a number since Grand Central days) is the “mobile to mobile” calls with Verizon. I used nearly 3k m2m minutes last month – my phone bill would be more astronomical if I used Google Voice.
That said, the transcription and personalization of the calling experience may prove irresistable.
You bring up a good point. David Pogue of NYT also brought this up in a recent article. I personally don’t use more than a few hundred minutes a month so it doesn’t affect me but I bet this is a big deal for more than a handful of people.
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/updates-to-google-voice/
You can get by this issue by selecting the routing number as one of your Friends & Family, myFaves, I’ve read where people have done this and all outgoing minutes are in network, I believe it uses the same routing number every time and of course you could always add your GV number as one of the numbers then hit star your pin then 2 and dial out and it’d be in network as well at that point.
If you have verizon, just make the google voice routing number one of your top 5, and all of a sudden you get all your calls (that get routed through google voice) unlimited minutes.
I had a GrandCentral account, but I also pay $10/month for an account at PhoneTag.com. Voicemails to any of my numbers are transcribed and emailed to me. I assume there must be humans in the loop somewhere (probably in a fluorescent-lit cubicle farm in India), since the quality of the transcription is amazingly good. Google Voice will have to work a little to catch up with that.
The other features, of course, are amazingly cool. I’m really looking forward to tagging telemarketers as “spam”!
You don’t just have to have an Android based phone to take advantage of GV; BlackBerries have access to the same Google-built app.
Also it’s trivial to hide your “real” outgoing # from any phone; call your GV number and then you can place an outgoing call. That’s how the apps do it.
Yeah I mentioned above the app availability for BB and Android, albeit I focused on Android since it is Google’s own platform.
As for calling the GV number – yeah but having to know that person’s # to dial is annoying. That’s why apps are so important for a seamless experience. Like you said, that’s how the apps do it though.
This is a great article about Google Voice, regardless of whether or not it’s a full review like you stated. I recently got my GV invite and I’ve been playing with it recently. My thing though is that I don’t entirely use the number I chose (yet anyways). I have a G1 (HTC Dream) and I’ve got the Google Voice app installed on it so that I can view all of my messages like I do in an email inbox. It’s integrated seamlessly with Android. It works awesome, but my setup is a bit different.
1.) I have my G1 setup so that any missed or denied call is automatically routed to my Google Voice number. So it acts as my voicemail.
2.) I have the “Do not disturb” setting enabled on my GV account so that all calls routed to my GV number are automatically put to the voicemail message.
This works nicely but the downfall is that 7 rings are required before you actually reach the voicemail. To some people this is unacceptable but the way I look at it is that if people aren’t willing to wait for it, then the call isn’t important enough. Also, my calling circle is normally very tight so if I have to tell a few people they have to wait 7 rings, then so be it. In my opinion so far, Google Voice is pretty worth it. There are a lot of times where I just can’t listen to my voicemail, so now instead I can read it. I completely agree that the transcription needs some work, but people also need to realize that Google is offering Voice completely free. It’s not like other transcription services where you pay a monthly fee. I’m sure those are a lot more accurate because, like Stephen Fleming said, there is probably a human involved somewhere along the way.
Take into consideration that I am still very much a novice when it comes to GV. There are some caveats to it but overall I think it’s an awesome service. My life is already entirely Google anyway, so why not let them control yet another part of it? Haha. My phone is a Google phone, tied to my Google Mail, my Google Calendar and now my Google Voice(mail). Now all I need is for Google to make a Docs app that actually allows you to edit and create docs in Android.
I forgot to clarify that 5 of those 7 rings are on the T-Mobile side, while the other 3 are the set amount that Google uses when your GV account has the “Do not disturb” setting enabled. I wish I could eliminate the 3 rings prior to it going to voicemail, but I also understand that I’m not using my GV account the way that Google intends. I basically want it to be my T-Mobile voicemail replacement altogether but without having to give out a new number to everyone.
Also, the Google Voice app on Android allows you to set your phone to use your GV for all outgoing calls, or to use your standard T-Mobile number. You can switch it on the fly with total ease. This is a nice feature because you can switch to your GV number if you’re calling someone whom you’d rather hide your default cell phone number from. So your one phone can act as 2 phones in essence. One for business, the other for personal.
I’m using YouMail to do exactly what you’re doing Daryn. I was planning on replacing YouMail with Google Voice, but I’m not sure I will anymore. Youmail is built to be a replacement to carrier voice mail, not necessarily a competitor to Voice.
YouMail doesn’t transcribe your voicemails for free, but there is a blackberry app so you can listen and delete your VMs like Visual Voicemail. They cansend you a txt msg and/or e-mail when you have a voice mail.
The feature I really like though is that they can send you a txt msg when you miss a call. If someone gets to your YouMail voicemail but DOESN’T leave you a message, you can still choose to receive a txt msg and/or email. This is great if you go into a deadzone and then come out – you’ll know if you missed any calls.
The website isn’t anything flashy, and the app is pretty basic, but the service works. Check it out if you’re looking to replace your voicemail provider.
Great article although with Google’s own android app rather than Evan Charleston’s GV, there is no wait time because Google’s app asks the server what number to call before it makes the call using the data connection.
Here’s an interesting post about how to link your Google Voice account with Gizmo5 to get free calls. This will let you ditch Vonage or other land line VOIP provider.
hehe I already had that linked in the post (under the Expanding Google Voice section), great article!
I received my invitation about a week ago, but an initial test yielded a lot of latency. Have you encountered any of this?
Here’s my guide to free calls on T-Mobile using a myFaves plan and Google Voice.
I’ve found that the benefits of having Google Contacts manage my contacts (sync locally to Address Book, push to my iPhone, used for GMail) was worth switching away from Google Apps. I love finally having my contacts in one place without me having to juggle all kinds of syncing or exporting. Now when I add someone as a new contact from Voice, they’re automatically in my iPhone’s contacts, too.
I got my invite yesterday, but I want to be sure I don’t sign up and create it in a way that would make it harder to use.
Are there any details I should know before I start setting it up?
Also, how do you pick the phone number you get? Do you get much of a choice?
Thanks
Great article – very thorough and comprehensive. Well done!
You asked if I am not using a Google Voice number, why not. Reason is simple: I haven’t got an invitation. Besides, I am in Australia and as I understand it, you can only get a GV number in the US.
The implications of GV for the future are mind-boggling. Telcos – be afraid, be VERY afraid!
GV Mobile is now on Cydia for free. Just another reason to jailbreak. :).
Hey Paul,
Positive side affect of Apple/AT&T pulling all of the GV apps from iTunes is that GV Mobile is now legitimately (by Sean Kovacs) available for free in Cydia. Bonus for folks like me that only had the free version while waiting for something official from Google.
http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-news/678991-gv-mobile-now-cydia-modmyi-repo.html
-Chris
Good write-up, Paul.
For now, I’m using the dialing hack to call contacts through Google Voice without needing to remember their number.
(See call-backs at “How to Ease Your Transition to Google Voice”)
That “406″ number can also be used to call-back those contacts. That way, you wouldn’t need to use that dialing hack. (Hat tip: Brett Kelly) So, if your contact is using a Google Voice number, you don’t need to worry about any of this.
As for mobile-to-mobile minutes (I’m a Verizon Wireless user), I’m using Devin Reams’ hack.
Great review. There are a few other useful features (specific voice mail messages to prank your friends but not have a future employer decide not to hire you after all). I love Google Voice, and the number porting wouldn’t even have been that useful because I changed my GV number as I’m moving for college.
I don’t see why AT&T wanted the app pulled since there was a app in App store for GrandCentral. They never did anything about that one.
hehe it might be related to this http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/28/best-comment-ever/
I only have 1 BIG prob with this:
I finally got the invite, only to find out sec later that its not available in Portugal.
It’s *very* stupid from Google to give me an invite when it knows I wont be able to use it in my country.
Come on, its *Google*, it knows everything about me!!!!
GV mobile is now available in Cydia … if you jailbroke your iPhone! Nice! This is the first time I ever replaced an app I paid for in the app store with the same “outlawed” one.
Great post on all the goodness that Google Voice brings TO ONLY THE F***KING US. I’m sick of seeing all this technology companies completely ignore every country which is not US. It doesn’t quite help that google is trying to do this in only one country.
Wouldn’t it be easier if they put pressure by making the service available in say 5/6 countries at once. Big audience, more consumer pressure, and further it might even be easier in markets like India (already a lot of low cost options), China (iron fist regulation), to get this kind of things done?
@ Shiva
I agree and think it’s a bummer that GV is only initially introduced to the US, but I’m sure there are some issues that were involved as well. I think one of them could be the acquisition of phone numbers to allocate to all new users. Google might not be able to immediately acquire phone numbers in countries like England for whatever reason.
I don’t understand why everyone assumes it is difficult to business in any other country except the US. It is true that most early adopters are in the US, but it is a chicken-and-egg thing.
Unless companies like Google take the lead in getting tech to the other parts of the world at the same time as they release it in the US, there will never be a large enough market.
I’m pretty sure that over the next decade, web companies will need to tap into large consumer markets and will not be able to afford to keep themselves insulated to just the US.
For instance, something like Pownce would have been far more successful if they tried to tap into a market of a billion phone users (China + India) rather than a few hundred-thousands in the US
It’s only the web where the rest of the world trails the US in spending — cars, lifestyle products, entertainment – the growth is in Asia
I still am using my GrandCentral acct that I got back in Jan 2007 and haven’t converted over yet…waiting till I just have to as I like the existing setup with customizable rings.
The only real problem I have with making calls via GC using landline is when you call a VRU or anything that uses key tones! You can’t do it as GC (and GV as I understand it) intercepts certain digits as function codes for it…phooey!
I got my invitation but wasn’t sure what number to pick. My first attempts were not available. So I exited and came back and lost the chance to get a number. I thought that was stupid. You get 1 shot and that’s it??
It’s not a pardon from jail. “Walk now or get back in the cell.”
I was able to sign up last month. Maybe after my first attempt I shouldn’t have used the invite link again. A normal signup was fine.
The service is kinda cool. I have the same last 4 and area code as my home and cell phones (I got my cell phone back when you could choose numbers) and when a call comes in on my GV number, it tries all of my registered numbers. Other than that a ability to screen calls, I don’t see much more use. International calling doesn’t help me and my Long distance is free from my cell.
I am interested in testing Google Voice but it isn’t available in Canada yet.
Charles
I’m guessing this is only available in the US..
Oops, a link would help http://bit.ly/dCdB1
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I really like the idea of Google Voice – is it available in the UK? http://bit.ly/OhHxh
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If like me you’re intrigued by Google Voice, check @stammy’s post here http://is.gd/1Qdoy
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great post on google voice–> First Impressions: Google Voice — http://bit.ly/dbtzs
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[GShare] First Impressions: Google Voice http://bit.ly/wqay7
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Reading: “First Impressions: Google Voice — PaulStamatiou.com” (http://twitthis.com/yijwrl)
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First Impressions: Google Voice http://ff.im/-5PIwE
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First Impressions: Google Voice: 玩聚SR还知道：
还有 Junyu, watsonxu, lizunlong, 推荐，查看全部 5 个分享者的评论…
PaulStamat.. http://bit.ly/10lsH6
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First Impressions: Google Voice (via feedly) http://ff.im/-5Q85z
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great overview of benefits of google voice. RT @Stammy’s First Impressions: Google Voice — PaulStamatiou.com http://bt.io/2S4
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Reading @Stammy’s First Impressions: Google Voice — PaulStamatiou.com http://bt.io/2VM
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First Impressions: Google Voice — PaulStamatiou.com http://ff.im/-5QAF7
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First Impressions: Google Voice http://snipr.com/o4sfq
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Thanks for the link and I’m glad you liked my post! As for the wrong number calls.. yeah I think it depends *entirely* on the history of that particular number. I just got put in the wrong situtation twice, with my GV number and my Vonage number. oh well, just a few "report as spam" and all is well!
This comment was originally posted on http://solyoung.com/)“>Sol Young
That’s one of my favorite features. Makes telemarketing fears just go
away completely.
This comment was originally posted on http://solyoung.com/)“>Sol Young
First Impressions: Google Voice… http://ff.im/-5QW6E
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If you want an example of computer-only transcription that Google Voice can do see this post (middle). http://tr.im/uvd9
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Reading: First Impressions: Google Voice #google ( http://bit.ly/2opNht )
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Reading @Stammy’s First Impressions: Google Voice — PaulStamatiou.com http://bt.io/2XA
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Enlace: First Impressions: Google Voice: You have probably heard of a company called GrandCentral a few y.. http://bit.ly/4pv8OR
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I just shared First Impressions: Google Voice: You have probably heard of a company called GrandCen.. http://bit.ly/9718a
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Liked “First Impressions: Google Voice” http://ff.im/-5SbAM
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First Impressions: Google Voice http://ff.im/-5SbAM – bude někdy i u nás?
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Great read for those just starting or wondering about Google Voice http://bit.ly/Mtm8o
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Review: @stammy takes an in-depth look at Google Voice. http://ow.ly/iCep
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Nice review of Google Voice by @stammy http://bit.ly/HTrx0 Guess I should use the account I have…
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Reading @Stammy’s First Impressions: Google Voice — PaulStamatiou.com http://bt.io/2mG
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Lese — “First Impressions: Google Voice” http://bit.ly/2MMB4y
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Balanced and extensive review of Google Voice from @Stammy http://bit.ly/111OFg
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I do think you offer wise counsel, Thomas. I have no real need to switch, and frankly I love the iPhone so far. If I start getting dropped calls, then it could become an issue.
Anyway, thanks again for adding your well-informed insights!
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
Is this the Thomas Hall who used to write for Hal Goldsteins’ HP 200 lx magazine?
I’ve forgotten the name of it.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
Thomas will have to speak up on that, because that publication predates (by a little bit) my interest in Pocket PCs. But, I can say for sure that Thomas is the one who introduced Hal and me, which got me to contribute a few articles to Hal’s Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine in late 2006 and early 2007.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
I wrote comments on some of the Smartphone and PocketPC Magazine entries, but no articles. Probably another Thomas Hall. Even with my middle initial, my name is still fairly common. You must have a very good memory, though, John!
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
The answer may be to ban carrier-exclusives for all phones, everywhere. I know that issue has been lurking in the wings for a while, the GV flap may be about to push it to the front.
A laissez-faire capitalist (which I am not) might say that Apple’s exclusive deal with ATT is no different than (say) McDonald’s partnering with Mattel on the latest Happy Meal toys. Such partnerships are a valid competitive strategy. But, but! The airwaves are considered a public resource, and part of the FCC’s job is to shepherd that resource. If they decide the public is not being served by these deals, banning carrier exclusives seems like the right move. I’d rather see that, than see the FCC and the USAG spend millions of dollars constantly trying to determine which hardware+carrier partnership is violating the Sherman Act this week, next week, etc.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
Goldstein had a magazine that was completely devoted to the HP200LX. He published in the early to mid 90’s or thereabouts and I’m positive he had a writer named Thomas Hall. I thought maybe you and him were the same since there seemed to be a connection between you and Bruce through Thaddeus but I guess it didn’t go back that far.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
Adrian, I disagree. The FCC’s regulation of the airways has nothing to do with whether a carrier makes an exclusive deal with a phone maker. Apple’s exclusitivity with ATT in no way restricts yours or anybody else’s access to the cellular band.
Just switch.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
@John, I’m somewhat with Adrian on this. By and large I am a capitalist. But, I also recognize that the “just switch” philosophy is not practical for a lot of people. Termination fees are rather expensive, for one, as the cost of selling one device at a loss and buying another device, with most of the really useful devices being somewhat expensive. And, in some cases people want to stay with a carrier for other reasons … some may stay with AT&T, even if they are pissed, because the GSM works internationally. Yes, Verizon sells a World Phone, but it is the only phone they have that works internationally (I think).
If Microsoft all of a sudden said you can’t run Firefox on Windows systems, would you recommend that Firefox enthusiasts just switch to Mac?
It also seems to me that this does infringe on the openness of the internet, in that it is somewhat similar to AT&T saying you can’t use any of our equipment to operate Vonage or any other VOIP setup. I think that is why the FCC has taken such an interest in this.
Normally I would agree with your position: if you are pissed at a company, ditch them and go with another one. This case seems to me to be a bit different, though. Maybe I’m overcomplicating the situation, but that’s how it seems to me.
This comment was originally posted on http://www.keenerliving.com/)“>Keener Living
@MaxRichardson dude google voice –> http://bit.ly/111OFg
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Mike…there’s been lots of hubbub over the fact that Apple rejected the Google Voice iPhone app a couple of weeks, most likely because of the competition it presents to AT&T. It has sparked a governmental inquiry.
Anyway…I’ve been using Google Voice since the GrandCentral days, and it took some getting used to, but I’m a big fan now.
This comment was originally posted on http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/)“>mikemcguff.com blog
Did Google improve the service?
This comment was originally posted on http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/)“>mikemcguff.com blog