Google Voice: 5 Truths Behind the Hype

CIO — Google made a news splash when it introduced a new VoIP functionalityto Gmail yesterday. Gmail users based in the United States can now dial other Gmail users and accept calls from them right from their computer—a seemingly cool feature and thrifty alternative to placing long-distance calls (international rates start at 2 cents per minute).

In the past, you'd likely log into your instant messaging application to IM your friends. If you wanted to call or text someone, you'd use your cell phone, and if you wanted to send an e-mail, you'd use your computer. Those silos are disappearing now, Glovin says.

"All of these are being integrated into one experience. The mechanics of communicating are less important—now it's more focused on letting you have the communications you want in the mode that you want them."

Rather than being revolutionary, Google's integration of Voice with Gmail is a natural progression, Glovin says. Instead of using multiple means to communicate, you can place and receive phone calls, send text messages and e-mail your contacts, all from one central location—your Gmail account.

"You need a lot of incentive to cause consumers to change their behavior," he says. "People have cell phones with plans that have an abundance of minutes and special features, so it would take something drastic to make people change their ways."

Instead, people will use Google Voice when it's convenient, he says. For example, if you're having a back-and-forth e-mail correspondence with someone, it might be easier to click a few buttons and speak to him through your computer to resolve your conversation quickly. The same goes for those times you leave your mobile phone on your coffee table—when you get to work, scroll through your Gmail contacts and place a call.