Adwords for the telephone - bad news for your florist.

If one read the patent application RINGBACK ADVERTISING it is apparent that Google will try to monetize their Google Voice offering.

The question Google should ask itself is: Are the public ready for ad-based telephone services? This has been tried a few times on this side of the pond - without success.

I am not a psychologist - but it does not take one to realize that for most people, phone conversations are very personal. Not necessarily personal in a private sense, but in one-on-one kind of communication.

Read more »

Based on a nice discussion with folks om Twitter (@kencamp, @SherylBreuker, @Bernals & @seanwilder) I confronted the question about Hosted PBX vs Google Voice (nee Grand Central) vs on premise PBX.

I have on several occasions said that Google Voice, in it current incarnation, is not very innovative. The functionality of Google Voice is found in both PBXes, but also service providers are having those features.

However, Google Voice is a very good start on letting users control their own telephony - even if it lack a feature or two.

The question that is valid just before Google Voice goes from closed beta to public release is how will the Hosted PBX and the on premise PBX measure up?

Read more »