Perceived Security Threat Has Indian Government Concerned About RIM, Google, And Skype

With all of the concerns recently expressed by Middle Eastern nations about the Blackberry and it's use by spies and terrorists, India has added Google and Skype to the discussions by asking the companies to set up servers in India and allow access to web data, citing fears that the voip services could be misused by militants. Though Google has said it has not been contacted.

"India’s Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said RIM had begun giving India access to its secure data from Wednesday.

“Discussions for technical solutions for further access are continuing and the matter will be reviewed within 60 days,” Chidambaram said in a statement."

A Google spokeswoman based in India said: “We have not received any communication on this issue from the government. If and when we do, we will review and respond.”

According to The Globe and Mail.

Google Voicemail - A Google Voice Tweek

Google has decided that a hack developed by users of the Google Voice system, who didn't want to change their phone number to a Google Voice number, makes sense. The Official Google blog has an announcement regarding a new feature that allows you to use a lighter version of Google Voice with your existing mobile phone number, the trade off is that you will not get all of the features of a full blown Voice account. Oh yeah, and you need an invite to the system before you can get either the light or the full featured versions working. This video gives a great overview of the new lighter version.

I'm still waiting for my invite but it's also unclear what the catch might be for those of us north of the border...

Palm Fires Back At Apple

When the Palm Pre was released one of the key selling points was it's ability connect to Apple's iTunes store. Apple however had different ideas and promptly went to work to block the Pre from iTunes. Palm has now filed a complaint with the U.S.B. Implementers Forum, the industry group that was established by the companies who developed the U.S.B. technology which, as we know, links computers to other electronic devices. Palm is claiming that Apple is restraining trade.

Mike Abramsky, an analyst with the investment firm RBC Capital Markets says: “There isn’t much precedent for this case,” and “It’s breaking new ground. In my mind, ultimately the users are the arbiters in the outcome of these situations.”

The fight with Palm combined with the refusal of Apple to allow Google Voice apps through iTunes store has begun to create a bit of an Apple backlash online. I guess the users will be the arbiters...

Source: The New York Times

Apple Won't Allow Google Voice Application In iTunes Store

Yesterday Apple decided that it would not allow Google to distribute its Google Voice application on iTunes, shutting out iPhone users from the much-anticipated service. Google Voice enables you to make cheap international calls, consolidate your phone numbers into one Google voice account, allows you to manage where your calls will be routed (cell, home, office, etc.) and provides multiple interfaces to your voice messages, including e-mailed text. Apple seems to have lost it's voice, declining to comment on the matter. One more reason to love my android phone!

LA Times story.

Google Voice - Out Of The Box

Two years ago Google purchased GrandCentral a voice mail system on steroids, and two months ago they announced Google Voice the Googlized evolution of that product. With Google Voice you receive a phone number that your contacts call, you have the ability to predetermine which of your phone numbers they are routed to: Your home, your office, your cellphone, etc. You can forward a single call to all of your phones, any combination of phones or straight to voice mail, its up to you. The service, for now, is free but you must request an invite.

According to Bits Blog a note to investors from Ben Schachter, an analyst with Broadpoint AmTechsays said "...we expect the introduction of Google Voice will help accelerate Google’s mobile penetration by creating a larger mobile ecosystem against which Google can sell/target/monetize advertisements. Additionally, we expect Google Voice to be integrated with Android and, if successful, may help increase penetration of Android-powered smartphones."

Official Google Blog