Hacker News Reader

Comment by runjake | Hacker News Reader

Wow, free? What's the catch?

Oh, they collect all my texts, instant messages, and phone call data and metadata? That's not for me, then.

I'll be honest, I'll be surprised if Google Voice is alive in a couple of years. I've been an avid Google Voice user since before it was even owned by Google (back when it was GrandCentral), and Google have showed it little love, made virtually no new features or improvements in the past four years, and now buried it into Google Hangouts. Which is a shame, because I use it regularly and find it really useful.

I think it really would have taken off if the MMS deals went through with the big carriers. But, alas, that never happened. :/

> virtually no new features or improvements in the past four years

Lack of MMS is a big one. No group text messages, with no notification to either the sender or the recipient that it was simply discarded. Aside from that, what are some features that you wish it had?

They've started sending the MMS through email, at least for ones coming from Sprint users.

And it has never reached the rest of the world.

It makes Google Reader look like a vibrant growing community, in comparison, which makes me think its ripe for cancellation, which annoys me. I've been using it as a forwarding / voicemail service for years across three carriers. Its very convenient, it just works.

I'm somewhat hoping that Twilio comes out with something similar. They've already got the infrastructure set up, just need someone do a bunch of API work.

Right. You're absolutely safe with Verizon or AT&T in this respect though.

'cause that stuff totally doesn't happen when you pay carriers money...

Where can I buy myself a tinfoil hat?

www.google.com

Reply on news.ycombinator.com