Shown for the first time in last November and then run in closed testing . Since then following its old formula of accessions from calls – Google released its Voice telephone service to all Americans on Tuesday.

Developed from the Grand Central service, acquired in 2007, the Voice gives a landline telephone number (for free) to its users and other facilities can store voice messages, and get the text converted according to users wish.

According to the Web giant, since the beginning of the test period of approximately one million users boarded the service, which in time is available in the U.S. and Canada, without mention of its arrival in other countries.

This seems to be the first move of Google in the market for voice communication, which should receive other updates in the near future. Also in November the company announced the purchase of Gizmo5, Skype rival service who has not had any of those features implemented in the Voice.

See the video presentation of Google Voice :

This HTML5 application allows for fast and versatile mobile experience for Google Voice because it uses the newest advancements in web technologies. Google Voice web app uses advanced features of modern HTML5 browsers, it offers native app-like performance and speed

For instance, AppCache lets users to interact with web apps without a network connection and local databases allow users to store data locally onto their device, so that they  don’t lose data even when they close the browser.

To get the application point your mobile browser to m.google.com/voice and sign in to your Google Voice account as there is no need for downloading and installing the app onto the handset.

A Google Voice account is required to use the app, and Google Voice is currently only available in the United States.

This will permit users to make calls from their phone that shows their Google Voice number as the caller ID.

The users can also listen to voicemail and read voicemail transcripts, send and receive text messages for free, and take advantage of the low international call rates offered by Google Voice.For quick access to the most important features like “Dialer”, “Compose SMS”, “Inbox” or “Contacts,”  just add shortcuts to your iPhone home screen or Palm Launcher  this will help the users in making  cheap calls and messaging .

For more information visit m.google.com/voice

Gizmo5 considered as the biggest rival to Skype voice service, makes Web-based calling software for mobile phones and computers. It provides a Web-based VoIP client that lets users make phone calls over the Internet, similar to programs like Skype. Gizmo5 is based on the open SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard.

Google released announcement regarding Gizmo5 that current people using it will still be able to use the service, but new signups will be suspended for the time being, also existing users will no more be able to sign up for a call-in number.

Google confirmed the news of acquisition on Thursday but financial terms of this deal were not disclosed.

Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel wrote in a blog post that “extremely high number of calls were being made to an extremely small number of destinations… generated more than 160 times the expected traffic volumes, and accounted for a whopping 26 percent of our monthly connection costs.”

Earlier in September AT&T asked FCC to look into the matter as they and other telecom companies are bounded by the rule that they cannot block call to any numbers so to provide customers with seamless communication.

Though seeking FCC concern Google lessened the restricted numbers but advocated the idea that FCC should work to bring some reform in present communication system “Commission needs to repair our nation’s broken carrier compensation systems. The current system simply does not serve consumers well and these types of schemes point up the pressing need for reform.” said Mr. Whitt.

Let’s have a look what Google has provided for those cellphone owners who are entering in Google voice service with their existing numbers.
• Online, searchable voicemail
• Free automated voicemail transcription
• Custom voicemail greetings for different callers
• Email and SMS notifications
• Low-priced international calling

And now the price they pay for preferring their numbers rather than a new Google number by the price I mean those skimmed of features which in addition they would get if they use GV number:
• One number that reaches you on all your phones
• SMS via email
• Call screening
• Listen In
• Call recording
• Conference calling
• Call blocking

A pie of news for those who already have Google number:

The latest feature would help with the transition to your new number, as you can now forward unanswered calls to your mobile phone to your Google Voice account. So people who call your old number are directed towards same voicemail as those who call your GV number.
All you need to do is add Google Voicemail to any mobile phone linked to your account.

How does it work?

The standard call-forwarding feature provided by all major carriers forms the basis for this service. The company will provide users with a special code to enter into their phone which forwards unanswered calls to a Google-maintained voicemailbox.

After directing your Google Voice account to pick up voice mails, rather than relying on your cellphone provider, Google will transcribe your messages and send an e-mail notification after new messages are recorded.

Enrolling to new service which will toggle your previous voice mail provider with Google Voice’s online alternative service that provides many fascinating features which most of mobile phone carriers offers only in their standard packages.

All I doubt about something is does it going to take some more pie away from carrier providers by bypassing their traditional voicemail service? It may stands in completion with the voicemail service of mobile carriers but is it still a supporter to traditional mobile carriers as Google Voice describes itself to be? Whatever it is for them it surely is a very good deal for mobile owners looking for versatile features in their Voicemail.

The inquiry asked Google to explain Google’s Voice behavior over the restriction it put on particular telephone numbers including functionality and technical description how these restrictions are implemented. They need to mention “how Google inform Google Voice users about restrictions on various numbers and to what extent are each of these Google Voice functionalities offered for free? To what extent, if any, does Google charge for any of these services? Does Google intend to charge at some point?”
The letter also demanded details on various other issues like invitation-only, reason for the restriction on calls, is Google Voice a reseller of “telecommunication services” and how does it fits within current telecommunications law.

Prior to the issued date from FCC Google has publicized there clarification to the its public blog which says “ Google Voice is a free web application, one intended to supplement and enhance existing phone lines, not replace them. The goal of Google Voice is to provide a useful, unified communications tool (including for, among others, soldiers and the homeless). Some have observed that Google Voice is “something a real phone company should have offered years ago”

Defending their restrictions to the outbound calls Richard Whitt, Google’s Washington telecom and media counsel, penned in the blogpost “The reason we restrict calls to certain local phone carriers’ numbers is simple. Not only do they charge exorbitant termination rates for calls, but they also partner with adult sex chat lines and “free” conference calling centers to drive high volumes of traffic. This practice has been called “access stimulation” or “traffic pumping” (clearly by someone with a sense of humor). Google Voice is a free application and we want to keep it that way for all our users — which we could not afford to do if we paid these ludicrously high charges.”

Google argued that it should not be regulated like telephone companies as Google Voice service is not a traditional phone call because it originates from a Web software tool.

Google Voice, allows people to link all of their phones to a common number and to manage calls and messages through a single Web site. The service can also be used to send and receive phone calls and text messages.

AT&T along with other wireless providers like Verizon is already restricted to limit any outgoing calls according to FCC’s rulebook. Although in past they had demanded the power to decide the connectivity to various channels but didn’t succeeded. Next in the line is the awaited decision of FCC as in which direction would they step ahead to give an unbiased decision without hampering innovation.

“iPhone is an innovative device that dramatically changed the game in wireless when it was introduced just two years ago,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets. “Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.

Although company remarked customer’s expectations to be the reason for this move but it could certainly prove to be their arrow directed towards FCC’s net neutrality policy which they will vote later this month, to prohibit broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain types of Internet traffic flowing over their lines. A strong step to show that wireless industry is capable to go on lucidly without any of net neutrality rules.

The announcement brought great applaud from FCC and providers of Internet calling services like Skype but it does not bring any green signal to the Google Voice Application on iPhones which Google said to be rejected by Apple. Even though Apple found it copies some of the features of its already existing iPhones features and is still under consideration. AT&T has stated earlier that it had nothing to do with the rejection but AT&T also complained FCC about Google Voice discriminating the rule of blocking calls which other telecom owners were bound to.

Apple rejoiced over the recent decision of AT&T and is ready to amend its developer’s agreement to bring VOIP apps to customer’s hands soon through Apple Apps Store. Presently Vonage developed an iPhone apps that can be used on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Others like Skype and Truphone, only work over Wi-Fi. Developers will need to enable the apps to work over AT&T’s wireless network and then re-submit them to the App Store.

Google voice, an Internet call-forwarding system restricts outgoing calls to some phone numbers, including adult chat lines and conference-call centers, which charge higher access fees to carriers. Blocking such calls reduces its access expenses. But it creates long barrier for AT&T to compete with Google on price.

Google’s Response

Although Google agreed with AT&T that the current carrier compensation system is badly flawed, as the FCC has suspended the rural companies’ rates and proposed rules to permanently ban traffic pumping. But the agenda is still open on the issue and the single best answer is for the FCC to take the necessary steps to fix it.

But they defended of themselves. Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel posted on Google blog that Google Voice do restrict some calls keeping in mind provision of providing free or low cost access. Google differentiates its Google voice from traditional phone services on various accounts thus exempting themselves from rules that bind phone carriers.

GV is not subjected to common carrier laws as it is a free web-based software application.
For using GV a landline or wireless line is required which makes it a supporter of traditional phone services rather than being a replacement to it.
Google Voice is currently invitation-only, serving a limited number of users.

AT&T used its net neutrality card accusing Google of violating “net neutrality” principles, which are designed to ensure consumers can use any legal Internet services they want.

AT&T’s Senior Vice President-Federal Regulatory Robert Quinn commented on the issue “While Google argues for others to be bound by net neutrality rules, it argues against itself being bound by common carriage, which the Financial Times aptly recognized as an ‘intellectual contradiction.’ Such a contradiction highlights the fallacy of any approach to Internet regulation that focuses myopically on network providers, but not application, service, and content providers.”
Furthermore discussing on the net neutrality Google blog post proceeds as follows
“AT&T is trying to make this about Google’s support for an open Internet, but the comparison just doesn’t fly. The FCC’s open Internet principles apply only to the behavior of broadband carriers — not the creators of Web-based software applications. Even though the FCC does not have jurisdiction over how software applications function, AT&T apparently wants to use the regulatory process to undermine Web-based competition and innovation.”

The FCC’s net-neutrality guidelines require companies to allow consumers to use the Internet as they please. They also say that “consumers are entitled to competition among network providers, application and service providers and content providers.”

Although both the companies have placed their opinions on the issue it is yet to be seen that will FCC gives a clear chit to Google or goes with AT&T???

Google Voice is a number that simultaneously rings your existing phone lines, mobile number, work, home, etc. If none of those lines pick up, it then goes into a Google Voice Mail. It also facilitates transcription of voice mail and then emails it to you or can send it as a text message on your cell. When your Google Voice is called and you answer on your mobile phone, you are using your mobile phone’s minutes. There are many more things which this app can do for you.

The new update explains imitation of the core dialer functionality of iPhone in Google Voice application as the reason of rejection.

On the other side of wall Apple is still glued to its words that they have yet not rejected Google Voice and the app is still under consideration.

While AT&T had already declared it had no involvement in the matter in its own letter to the FCC released in August.

Google’s letter includes yet another application rejected by Apple – Google Latitude. They reason pointed for this rejection is that Apple finds it would cause confusion with the built-in Maps application that every iPhones provide. Google Latitude is a finely tuned version of Google Map especially designed for Apple.

The state commission in earlier July had requested information from Apple, Google, AT&T on the matter of rejection. Each one had sent their piece of information in letters which were later publicized. But on Friday Google revealed the hidden part of its letter which brought the whole issue in limelight.

It purely appears that Apple is trying to fool but the question remains whom they are fooling will FCC let them go bare handed or do they really have any clause that would defend them from this situation??? It’s still awaited who gets benefited from all these commotion is it Google to make or Apple?????