Why Sprint, Google Voice Alliance is Wave of Mobile Future
ORLANDO, Fla. – Sprint and Google announced a partnership at the CTIA Wireless conference this week that will make any Sprint number also a Google Voice number. The move could be the wave of future phones. Here's why.
Smartphones are not just phones; they're portable computers. The industry has been moving this way for years, but the proliferation of these devices, especially Androids and iPhones, have accelerated this mentality in the minds of the public.
As the app market continues to explode, people don't want separate devices that perform different functions. Whether they are in front of a computer or next to a phone, people want all capabilities in one place.
That said, Google Voice in itself is massively useful, offering free features such as texting, call forwarding to up to six devices, seamless call switching between devices, customized greetings for different callers and more.
However, Google Voice requires a separate number or a fee to port a mobile number. The Sprint integration is the logical progression of this technology – the mobile phone operator doesn’t want to put money into Google Voice features, and its customers don’t want separate Google Voice accounts.
This marriage of these services makes Sprint phones a powerhouse. Any Sprint phone will integrate with Google Voice regardless of type, model or plan, which will instantaneously provide powerful features to users at a relatively small cost to Sprint compared to adding the functionality themselves.
Google Voice also allows people to access their accounts and make calls and texts from more than just their phone. The integration will also give users the opportunity to use their Sprint account on computers and tablets. Any device with an Internet connection will become your phone, with full access to your account and call/text history.
In addition, Sprint users won't have to worry about whether their phone can do voice over the Internet anymore. In a sense, Sprint customers get it standard.
Overall, however, it's important to keep in mind that this is still a work in progress. A Sprint spokesperson told TechNewsDaily that MMS media messaging is still not fully integrated and will remain exclusively a phone function for now. However, the rep noted, it will certainly come later.
This type of phone-account integration into all devices at any location is the wave of the future. Moving forward, it would not be a surprise if other networks integrate with Google Voice or create a similar service of their own.
However, Sprint was smart to get into the game early and partner with a company with already-developed tools.
