According to a recent report from 9 to 5 Google, Google is planning to shut down Google Voice, and integrate its features into Hangouts.
Google will apparently integrate most of the features from Google Voice into the G+ Hangouts app for both Android and iOS.
Integration of Google Voice Features
According to the report, Google will also integrate VoIP to phones into the Hangouts app on iOS and Android. This would actually allow people to drop their voice plans on their devices. The integration of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) means that users can make voice calls over the internet, bypassing traditional mobile carrier networks. This could potentially lead to significant cost savings for users, especially those who make a lot of international calls or who are frequently in areas with strong Wi-Fi coverage but weak cellular signals.
The integration is expected to bring all the popular features of Google Voice, such as voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and the ability to use a single number across multiple devices, into the Hangouts platform. This move is seen as part of Google’s broader strategy to streamline its communication services and provide a more unified user experience.
Impact on Mobile Carriers and Apple
Whether or not the various mobile carriers will be happy with this VoIP feature, and also whether Apple will approve the app remains to be seen. Mobile carriers have traditionally been resistant to VoIP services because they can undermine their revenue from voice plans. However, the increasing popularity of VoIP services like Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber suggests that consumer demand for these services is strong.
Apple’s approval of the app is another potential hurdle. While Apple has generally been supportive of VoIP apps, the integration of Google Voice features into Hangouts could be seen as a competitive threat to Apple’s own communication services, such as FaceTime and iMessage. It will be interesting to see how Apple responds to this development.
Potential Benefits and Challenges
The potential benefits of this integration are significant. For users, it means having a single app for all their communication needs, which can simplify their digital lives. For Google, it means consolidating its communication services, which can lead to more efficient development and support.
However, there are also challenges. Integrating the features of Google Voice into Hangouts will require significant technical work, and there may be issues with ensuring that all features work seamlessly across different devices and operating systems. Additionally, there may be resistance from users who are accustomed to using Google Voice as a standalone service.
Nothing has as yet been confirmed by Google on the closing of Google Voice. As soon as we get some more information, we will let you guys know.
Source 9 To 5 Google
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