Is Google planning a Skype rival in Gmail?

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 25 Aug 2010 at 13:26

Google is reportedly planning on launching a VoIP service that works directly from Gmail in a bid to turn the email and messaging service into a communications hub.

According to a report on CNet, Google is testing a service that would work straight out of Gmail and enable users to call mobile phones and landlines.

The company already has two voice products in its stable. Google Talk is a VoIP and messaging service that works between Gmail users. In the US, Google also has a service called Voice that gives subscribers a central number they can use as an contact point that can be forwarded to any number.

The move will come as little surprise to Google watchers, with analysts predicting last week that the company planned to move into the Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC) market.

According to Frost and Sullivan researchers, a recent surge of Google takeovers in communications companies - such as Android, 2Web Technologies, Marratech, GrandCentral and Gzimo5 – signalled a move into more advanced telephony.

“Although Google has not officially announced this strategy, it is evident that, by continually adding new UCC applications to its portfolio and focusing on integrating them, the company is effectively entering the UCC market," said Frost and Sullivan analyst Dorota Oviedo in a report entitled Google storms unified communications and collaboration market.

Google declined to comment on the new Gmail voice service.