GrandCentral: Acquired by Google

It seems that Google is buying everything.  Well, everything good.  They seem to have a good, forward-thinking understanding of the market and of where things are headed with web-based and mobile technologies.  Those are two huge technology arenas that are blending in many ways, and there's great opportunity in the integration of those technologies.  Google really seems to get this, and it definitely shows in their developments, partnerships, and acquisitions.  They seem to be very strategic in their approach, and certainly looking toward the future as they continue to develop their offerings and expand their very successful empire...in the course of which they're certainly not afraid to just buy something they like.

This was the case with Google's acquisition of GrandCentral Communications and their product, GrandCentral.  I learned about GrandCentral because Google bought them, and because of friend of mine uses the service.  GrandCentral's functionality is pretty slick and can be a great value to those who make use of it.  GrandCentral provides a web-based voice communications platform that helps you manage all your phones and phone numbers through one simple interface. You get a single phone number that forwards to all of your phones, a number that's not tied to a phone or location but tied to you, giving you one number for life.  You can be reached with that single number, answer a call at any phone you want, seamlessly switch phones in the middle of a call, and even know whether a call is important before you take it.  Their features include the ability to:

• Check your messages by phone, email, or online
• Keep all your messages online for eternity
• Record and store your phone calls (just like voicemail)
• Quickly (and secretly) block an annoying caller
• Click-to-dial from your address book
• Surprise your callers with a custom voicemail greeting
• Forward, download, and add notes to your messages

Google acquired GrandCentral Communications because its communications services fit into Google's mission to organize the world's information and to provide services and features that enhance the collaborative exchange of information between users.  The service is still in beta (a testing stage, not full production).  While I don't know Google's long-term plans for it, GrandCentral is currently inviting a limited number of users to beta test their service. If it interests you, you can sign up for an invitation here.

Comments

[Matthew Nowlin]

Grand Central appears to be no different than any of the web based pbs voip solutions out there - most market it as "find me, follow me."