Google acquires Gizmo5, Google Voice to become a real wireless player?

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Google announced today the acquisition of Gizmo5. Gizmo5 is a service that allows you to make and receive free or cheap phone calls from your computer or wifi enabled device. Even though Google isn't announcing any new features today, it doesn't take a genius to see that Google is planning to provide (at the very least) computer based calls using your Google Voice number. This would allow someone using Google Voice to make and receive calls from their WiFi enabled computer while in a WiFi area, and would allow them to make and receive calls using the same number via their mobile phone when WiFi isn't available. The end result would be a cell phone bill with significantly reduced minutes used.

But the implications for the iPhone, iPod touch and future Apple Tablet are huge. All three devices are basically WiFi enabled tablet computers. When connected to WiFi and logged into the eventually allowed Google Voice integrated application, users will be able to answer phone calls to their regular number using their computer. Although answering calls using your computer may not sound appealing at first, remember that the all-to-common bluetooth headsets can be paired to any one of these three devices. This means that the call will come in through your computer and you can talk using your normal bluetooth headset (there are some really nice one's out there right now).



The implications from this future seem dire for the phone companies. The carriers will be looking at reduced usage by many customers. Those customers will inevitably start reducing their cell phone plans to match up with their reduced use and save some cash. Some people might simply even opt for a prepaid phone altogether if they are on WiFi most of the day anyway.

Its going to be an interesting future!