Google Acquires Gizmo5 Soft Phone Service
It looks like Google is on another buying spree!
Earlier this week we carried the announcement that Google had purchased AdMob, and then that same day we got rumors that Google was purchasing Gizmo5. Fellow ANGLEr Mark ‘Rizzn’ Hopkins did contact Google for a comment on that story, but they really didn’t comment one was or the other:
[Editor’s Note and Update: We got a response from Google on our story inquiry, though no confirmations or denials: “We’re always talking to various companies about various things, but we don’t comment on rumor or speculation.” –mrh]
Well, now we know for sure. It was announced on the Google Voice blog today that Google had indeed purchased Gizmo5.
While no specific plans of what Google plans to do with the company, it is pretty obvious it will be integrated into Google Voice since that was the blog the news was announced on. Effective immediately, current Gizmo5 users will be able to continue to use the service, but no new signups will be allowed, and users will not be able to request new dial-in numbers.
My personal big question is if we will see this coming to mobile devices also. Could we possibly see an Android device that just has the soft phone built-in and no actual cellular service? Say, something akin to an iPod Touch, but with Google Voice as a phone solution? Mind you this is pure speculation on my part, but I wouldn’t put it past someone coming up with this.
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