Most people don’t know what Gizmo5 is but it’s in the same software category as Skype, that is making free calls between computers (with Gizmo5 installed) and making cheaper phone calls to landlines (without charging per call connection fee like Skype). And there’s also one deadly feature which made Google acquired it – it works with Google Voice.
So long, Skype. Once people figure out how to have Google Voice work with Gizmo5 (which will be integrated soon since Gizmo5 is now acquired by Google), Skype subscribers (myself included!) will find Google Voice more attractive. Once Google Voice starts rolling out globally (it’s currently available for US only), Skype’s profit margin will suffer even more.
No wonder eBay (the owners of Skype) was trying REALLY hard to spin it off, get a potential buyer and also pushing for an IPO in 2010. Buying into Skype’s IPO doesn’t look that promising anymore, not so in 2009 and certainly not in 2010.
It’s going to be so brilliant that they’ve stopped new customers signing up, and restricted those they already have
Andy, is that a sarcastic comment towards gizmo5/GVoice? What are you trying to imply exactly?
@andy, this is what Google does when they acquire a new service. They always block new subscribers from it until they integrate it into Google services. They want to make sure its stable enough before releasing it to the general public. Otherwise, they may end up with an overflow and the service will become a flop because it doesn’t work well with all those people on it right away. As for old customers, they only lose the ability to get a call in number, which serves the same purpose as new subscribers. I’m sure they will integrate it into Google Voice quickly and allow new people to sign up when its ready. I personally can’t wait to make Google Voice my true Gizmo5 number and use Google Voice solely as my phone.
It sure took google a long time to turn grand central into gv. I hope Gizmo5 call in numbers come sooner than that to GV users.
How quickly?
Coincidentally, I opened my Grand Central account exactly 2 years ago.
I received the invitation to convert it to Google Voice earlier this year, and a reminder.
I can read elsewhere that people are still canvassing for or waiting for invitations to join GV. And that applications are supposed to be only from people in the USA.
I entered an email address on the Gizmo/Google site to receive info about when it launches. They say my email is not valid; perhaps that is because it ends in .co.uk …. but rather oddly it is just such an address that I used to sign up for GC 2 years ago, and on which they sent the reminders about swapping to GC to GV
Gizmo was working, or so I thought I understood. And working with GV already. And it will presumably continue working for the people already in. why the embargo on in allowing new entries?
Are you placing any bets when they will launch and re-open? Less than a year?
Oh, and how long has Ribbit being going since original start, since they sold it to BT, and since it formally launched, and are they going to send messages to the people on their waiting list of people interested?