Despite the worries of privacy advocates, Google is beginning a limited introduction of its new Voice service, which consolidates a broad variety of telecom features under one roof.

The new Voice service brings together a set of utilities and tools that can consolidate a user’s various phone numbers, personalize voicemail greetings depending on the caller, and provide free domestic calling, among an assortment of other features. Users can finally try the service, 90 days after its announcement, by going to the Voice site and signing up for the limited beta. The full feature set includes:

• A one-source telephone number listing, built from your various lists.
  Customized voicemail greetings for different callers.
• A free domestic VOIP calling plan.
• SMS messaging.
• The ability to block incoming calls.
• Transcription of telephone calls.
• Conference calling.
• Integration with the Google 411 information service.
• The ability to screen incoming calls.
• Low-cost Internet calling.

The Voice service was first envisioned when Google acquired voice communications management company GrandCentral Communications in 2007, according to a TechNewsWorld story. Since that acquisition, Google has added a number of features to those that were originally offered by GrandCentral, fleshing out the services into a much more complete telecom package.

There are no details yet on how Google will monetize the Voice suite of tools. One obvious possibility is the sale of ads on the various pages of the site. They could also offer premium versions of some of the services in the package. Directory services are another possibility, with prominent placement going to directory advertisers.

Some industry observers are concerned that this is another way for Google to add to its already ballooning information base on its millions of users. The Voice program would give Google the opportunity to combine data on telephone habits and calls with its current store of information based on search habits, medical records, Web purchases, etc. The hope that Google will “do not evil” is getting more heartfelt every day.

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Entry was posted on Sunday, June 28th, 2009 at 5:30 pm under Google, Internet, Legal, Microsoft, Software.

Read more entries by Michael W. Jones.
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