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So, as expected, Google has released their mobile VoIP solution called, Google Voice - taylored to pass Apple's "strict" requirements to be a certified iPhone App - based on HTML5.
HTML5 is not available on all mobile devices - yet - but it will be and it changes many things. It adds a heap of power to "normal" web applications - some things that were only really feasible with Java Applets, ActiveX or Flash (or Silverlight for the MS fans) - which in fact is its purpose - to reduce the reliance on these "plugins".
Read more about HTML5 here at Wikipedia
Besides the fact that Apple are thrown into a corner by this "pure" web play for VoIP by Google - it also tells us that Apple and iPhone's strategy to control the device, apps and services is even more limited. It also provides Google with a very powerful way to steer users away from iPhone-only services to Google services. This will be important for Google's future strategy by setting the stage for when all the first-movers - consumers and businesses alike - that jumped onto the iPhone band-wagon - will have choices to migrate.
I said before in my predictions that Apple must open their iPhone and Calendar to be competitive going forward - they can't just sit around and enjoy the fad and craze and currently limited substitutes - this is ending. Google's entry will really put the pressure on all players, not just Apple, for the following reasons;
- The contacts on iPhone can already be synchronised OUT - like with Funambol and Outlook plugins.
- Using the "MS Exchange" proxy, Calendar and Contacts can be synchronised OUT
- Many apps in iPhone are games and fun gimicks - but the business apps can also be provided on Android.
- Android is being embraced by more and more mobile players - even in Japan by Docomo and Softbank - who are releasing Android devices in early 2010.
- VoIP for mobile devices - via the web (HTML5) means that it will be possible to put VoIP EVERYWHERE. Salesforce, email, wave, calendar, websites, etc., etc...
- Google are also releasing their own customised Android-based mobile device just to show us how it can be done. This also gives the mobile providers a kick in the back-side to make them move faster in preparing Android-based devices - to further dilute the iPhone market. There is no doubt Google's objective is to then bring out the best (customised) Android-based device with best, most integrated services.
What does this mean for Flashphone, spreed, Jajah and Ribbit - who are all offering some kind of VoIP services?
Spreedis well-placed because they entered from a business services angle and have built up great momentum for their Web-based video conferencing solution. The software quality has steadily improved since first release 4 years ago, and although flash-based VoIP solutions, they have also customised for iPhone and there is nothing stopping them from also offering HTML5 solutions.
Flashphone is of course Flash-based, so it provided a way to offer web-based VoIP - before HTML5 was possible. What the guys at Flashphone did was build a back-end server to meet the Flash objects and the SIP servers. Again, there is no reason why they can't also build an HTML5 front-end - and this would be the recommended move.
Ribbit - same as above, although these guys are providing services for Google's buddy Salesorce.com - who Google Docs and other apps (Wave) will have further integration. So, there is no doubt that that is the direction they will take there.
Jajah has been more of a client-based app player, but also with iPhone, and has gotten itself embedded on various mobile devices as an option app/service. So, they are in a strong position to expand with HTML5 versions - and leverage their existing back-end and user-base.
HTML5 is new and the quality has yet to be fully experienced and tested against other technologies, but there is no doubt that OS-installed clients, such as Skype (also with their proprietory protocol) will have best quality of sound and video.
Is it another situation where Google goes for the jugular and leaves the stragglers wandering around in a daze? Will they be able to leverage their existing users and services to channel more towards Android, Voice, Google Docs and so on?
What competitive forces exist today - in one company - or one group/consortium - that could provide a similar basket of services, perfectly integrated, at free or minimal cost? Is it even possible? Where is Microsoft? IBM? Yahoo!?
I warned the Japanese providers 2 years ago - in 2007/2008 - that they had to move real fast to provide SaaS, Sync Calendar/Contacts with Groupware (Open-Xchange) and Mobile Devices (with Funambol) and VoIP (with Flashphone and VoipNow). Only one company really understood the message - and just happened to be non-Japanese.
For some hosting providers, they had a reasonable chance to prepare, but now I fear it is too late for them and they will be consumed - or their customers will be. The pace may be way out of their league now as they are now getting all cluster-bucked by the new buzzword, "Cloud". What to do? Have a meeting..gather the same heads together to come up with the same non-solutions. Good luck! Their customers are basically sitting ducks now unless they get serious and get people who know the market, see the future opportunities and take a gamble. Even larger providers seem to continuously be playing catch-up and follow-the-leader - as is evidenced by the wide-spread demand for iPhone and the coming releases of Android-based devices.
But, to be fair, innovation and invention at the pace that Google is setting is pretty hard to beat - unless you have pretty crazy ideas or a Salubrious Vision...