Kik messenger acts as a fully-featured text messaging service that doesn't require cell phone networks. Image: Flickr / debaird / CC-BY-SA

Kik messenger, first introduced in April of 2010, is a messenger program for all smartphones. Kik messenger separates text messaging from the cell phone provider. The service has over 1 million users, and the data-messaging service is planning on expansion.

How Kik messenger works

Kik messenger is a service created specifically for smartphones. Kik is downloaded onto a smartphone, and can then be used, essentially, for text messaging. The service also expands on traditional text messaging, by offering “personal assistant” auto-replies when you can’t immediately respond to messages. The information is sent over data networks, instead of over SMS networks. This means, in general, your cell phone network won’t be able to distinguish Kik messages from any other data that you send. Additionally, Kik works on iPhone, iPod, Android, and Blackberry.

The benefits of Kik messenger

Kik messenger has several benefits. First, it provides a way to text message without running up a huge cell-phone bill. Many cell phone providers separate data plans from text and call limits, meaning that you can buy a minimal phone plan with an additional data plan. With that minimal plan and data access, you can text message and chat to your heart’s content. Kik messenger also says that they plan on expanding into personal profiles and even music service.

Cutting the network cord with Kik

Now that Kik has proven itself as a data network text messaging service, there could be big changes coming to cell service. Combined with Google Voice, it is possible to have a fully functional cell phone without need for any kind of network — just a wifi connection. Cell phone networks are quickly being overloaded by the data traffic from smartphones. Public wifi and high-speed data connections are becoming a more popular public issue. So what do you think? Will you keep your smartphone, cut the network, and go wifi only?

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Kik

Google Voice is now integrated into Gmail. It's a marriage of free U.S. calls to the U.S. and Canada, plus the convenience of your Google contacts! (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/adria.richards/Flickr)

The prospect of making free telephone calls from within the United States to other U.S. and Canadian numbers – regardless of whether those numbers are land line, cell phone or desktop virtual phone numbers – is enticing to all. It’s enticing to everyone except traditional phone and cellular service providers, that is. Now that Google Voice will soon be completely integrated into Gmail, it will be that much easier for Google users to make and receive high-quality calls for free. Wherever Gmail is accessible, so is free calling.

Google Voice turns your Gmail contacts into an active phone service

You may not have a phone on you, or you may be in a place with poor cellular reception or exorbitant roaming fees, but if you have an Internet connection and can access your Gmail account, you can make a free call with Google Voice. Calls outside the U.S. or Canada run at a very low rate, typically two cents per minute. TechCrunch reports that all it takes is the Google Talk plug-in for your browser. Make and receive calls from within the Gmail interface, and if you miss a call, the voicemail goes straight to your Gmail inbox. And here’s a neat feature: you can transfer a call in progress from Google Voice on your desktop to your cell phone iithout dropping the call f you’re on the go but need to keep talking.

Google Voice in Gmail is coming soon

Google is rolling out the new Google Voice features over the next few days to U.S.-based Gmail accounts, according to the official Google Voice Blog. Watch for “Call Phone” to show up in your Google Chat list. Google users who are using Google Apps for academic or business purposes will also be able to enjoy the new Google Voice features and free calling, but integration will take slightly longer in that case.

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Google Voice Blog

TechCrunch

Google Voice humor: testing transcript capabilities

The Google Voice system connects all of your calls, voicemails, and phone numbers to just one central account. Image from Flickr.

Google Voice, a service that “reinvents” telephony with a Google lens, was officially launched to all today. The same day that Google Voice launched, though, Frontier filed a patent infringement lawsuit. The Google Voice system also raises questions about privacy and lost revenue for other service carriers.

Google Voice: the features

Today on the Google Voice Blog: Google Voice for everyone post, this new Google product was officially announced. Google Voice is a telephone system that mixes telephone services. A free Google Voice account offers:

• One number. Keep a single phone number for all phones
• Voicemail transcription. Read your voicemails
• Personalized greetings. Voicemail greetings based on who is calling
• International calling. Call other countries for just a few cents per minute.
• E-mailed SMS. Text messages show up as e-mails if you so choose, and you can respond with an e-mail.
• Share voicemails. Send voicemails to other contacts via e-mail.
• Block callers. If you block a number, they receive a “disconnected” notice next time they call.
• Screen callers. Just like old answering machines, you can listen in while a voicemail is being left
• Mobile App. Any mobile phone can be used to manage your Google Voice system, including chargeless text messages.
• Conference calls. Pre-set conference calls using your Google number.

Google Voice: the lawsuit

The same day Google Voice was officially launched for all, Frontier Communications was granted a patent — and filed a patent lawsuit. Frontier claims that it holds the patent covering “computer-enhanced telephone services.” The patent was filed in 2007, and finally granted on June 22, 2009. Frontier claims that Google Voice “deliberately and willfully infringed” on their pending patent. Frontier requests that Google Voice be blocked from continuing service and be forced to pay for lost revenue and damages. Frontier has not yet announced any products it intends to introduce with its patent, even though it has dedicated programmers working on the system.

The privacy implications of Google Voice

The Google Voice system can be very useful, especially for businesspeople. However, before you jump on the Google Voice bandwagon, it is important to carefully read the privacy policy. Google will automatically collect and log information, including numbers, dates, duration, SMS and routing information. This isn’t much more information than traditional phone companies are collecting, but it does connect your Google Voice information to the other Google services you may be using.