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Google Voice is going to give Skype serious competition

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Josh started this discussion 15 years 3 months ago

Google Voice is a new Skype-like service from Google. It's only available by invitation at the moment, and only in the USA. (Request an invite here.)

I got my invitation this morning and took it for a test run.

So far it's something like Skype's SkypeIn service, but better. You get an incoming phone number in your choice of area code that:

accepts incoming phone calls
forwards them to any number(s) you want
transcribes voice mails to text
sends you email or SMS when you get a voicemail
and much more...

This could be useful for hostels that want to accept SMS messages from guests, or who want to use Google's voice widget on their website (similar to Skype buttons). You can even request a vanity number like 555-MY-HOSTEL.

Calls placed to outside the US cost money, but rates are low -- similar to Skype.

There is an app for Android and Blackberry phones, and other phones can use Google Voice by going to a special URL. See this page for more info.

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Tim

15 years

It looks like a good option if you want a US number that can be diverted easily to other phones, but that is about it. Skype, however, is a complete solution that can replace your phone.

Furthermore Google Voice only works in the USA, while Skype has been an international service from day one.

If I live outside the US and want a US number that I can easily divert to other phones, Google won't let me have it because I live outside the US (even though I will primarily be diverting it internationally and therefore making more money for Google).

On the other hand, with Skype I can get Skype In numbers in over 25 countries and I don't need to live in those countries to get a number there.

So from what I understand Skype is way ahead of Google Voice, but Google Voice does seem like a good free alternative to a service such as Grasshopper.

When Google Voice starts to offer services outside the US, then it may be a good alternative to Skype In numbers. But even then, I will still be using Skype for my outgoing calls and diverting the Google Voice number to Skype.

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Josh Hostels

15 years

I agree that Skype is much better at the moment, especially with the Skype phones. Skype has a lot of features, but things like SMS are still a bit primitive.

I think Google Voice will be a serious competitor with Skype once it leaves "private beta" status though. I imagine it will eventually be worldwide and have an assortment of physical hardware available...

If nothing else, maybe it will encourage Skype to improve itself (e.g., voice quality, SMS). :)

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Tim

15 years

Voice quality on Skype or any other VoIP service is dependent on the quality of broadband connection, but generally I have found Skype to be far better quality than SIP-based VoIP services that I have previously used and call quality if generally better for me on Skype than it is on my landline and my internet connection at home isn't that great.

For me the main drawback with Skype is that you cannot assign a different ring tone to different Skype In numbers. Basically I need to know which number someone is calling me on so I can answer the phone accordingly. If Google Voice does this I will certainly start using them, but I will still stick with Skype for most calls.

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Josh Hostels

15 years

Basically I need to know which number someone is calling me on so I can answer the phone accordingly. If Google Voice does this I will certainly start using them, but I will still stick with Skype for most calls.

It's not quite like custom ringtones, but Google Voice has something called call presentation:

caller ID (same as Skype)
Google announces the caller's name before it connects you -- you can choose a variety of options on how you want to handle the call.

The only problem with caller presentation is that it's a longer delay for the caller before you pickup the phone.

(See the attached screenshot of the settings page.)

I have a lot of problems with Skype phone quality when calling on Skype from my mobile phone to foreign countries. I'm not sure whether it's Skype or iSkoot (my phone's Skype app), but it's often impossible to have a conversation.

EDIT: The other thing about Google Voice is there is no desktop app yet (until they add Google Voice to Google Talk). I've just been using it from my phone and didn't realize that you can't call from the desktop. To call out you route the calls through another phone line, or call directly from your mobile phone (Android or Blackberry only because Google Voice has been banned from the iPhone). This may be why it's US-only because Google is calling phone numbers from their servers to route the calls.

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Tim

15 years

I have a lot of problems with Skype phone quality when calling on Skype from my mobile phone to foreign countries. I'm not sure whether it's Skype or iSkoot (my phone's Skype app), but it's often impossible to have a conversation.

Well I wouldn't want to use any VoIP app over a 3G connection because 3G just isn't as good as a regular broadband connection. The Three mobile network promotes free Skype-to-Skype calls, however they route the call as a voice call until it gets to Three's server then passes it across the internet to avoid poor call quality over 3G.

Voice on the Skype iPhone app only works over Wi-Fi so it shouldn't be an issue as long as the Wi-Fi spot has good bandwidth. I may test this out sometime over the next week next time I'm in a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Also VoIP apps use a lot of CPU resources so the call quality on an older device with less memory and a small CPU (like my five-year-old HP iPAQ) is generally poor compared with a newer device like an Android or iPhone.

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Josh Hostels

15 years

iSkoot uses Skype over the voice connection too, but it's still not good quality on my phone. Maybe I just need a different Skype app :)

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