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Why voice simply isn't enough for GrandCentral.com
I have mentioned
GrandCentral.com
from time to time but have realized that I rarely if ever actually use the
service. For those not in the know, GrandCentral is a unified phone
service that allows a user to combine all of their phone numbers into one.
For example, dial my GrandCentral number at (612) 568-0852 and it will call
blast my cell phone, home phone (if I had one) and desk phone all at the same
time. If I change jobs I simply log in to my GrandCentral account and
change the work phone number to my new desk. A single number for life, or
so they claim.
Enter the grand problem with GrandCentral. They are completely focused on
voice and have no SMS or faxing abilities. What I really used GrandCentral
for was visual voicemail and the ability to not give out my real cell phone
number on my blog. I don't have a home phone and only use my cell phone at
work. I'm not the only one that does this either, most in the company I
work for use their cell phone as their primary means of communication. The
visual voicemail got replaced with the iPhone and now that it's integrated
directly into the device so cleanly, it's hard to give up and move back to
GrandCentral. Since I carry only one voice device with me that already has
visual voicemail, what does GrandCentral have to offer anymore? A single
phone number that will never change? Maybe,
maybe
not.
What GrandCentral is missing is the idea that a phone number is more than just
voice. It's my presence, it's my text, it's my fax, it's my communications
tools in whatever medium I so choose. Voice is only a part of the puzzle
and it's not nearly enough. Maybe voice was enough in 1997, but not in
2007. How can I give out my "one number for life" if users can't text
me? How does that number help me when I need to sign a contract and the
vendor still hasn't figured out that the whole thing can be e-mailed and wants a
fax number? That one number hasn't served me well over the last few months
mostly because it doesn't do what I need it to do: simplify and unify my
communications.
GrandCentral can still fix the problem, but so far they have been eerily silent
on the issue. I have posted suggestions, asked in the chat room and even
posted comments on their blog (still awaiting moderation) stating that voice
simply isn't enough. They may understand this, they may not, we won't know
since they just sit in silence. Of course now the problems are getting
bigger. Visual voicemail was nice but it doesn't work well on the
iPhone. GrandCentral is falling behind and I fear will become
yet
another company that Google acquired into oblivion.
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2. Posted by: Ryan Carlson on August 30, 2007 9:46 AM:
I've been using Grand Central for a few months now and I still feel that even if it is ONLY voice, I have no qualms giving out my GC number whereas I am always hesitant about using my personal cell phone number for everything. Friends and family get the number I can get an SMS, potential clients and those I do marketing consulting for get my GC number. It is a number controlled by me (not my office) so I COULD go elsewhere and not loose that valuable contact. And best of all is that it is free. If DWdrum has successfully gleaned something from the rumor mill and a Premium service is made available for SMS and Fax, I will be making room in my budget for that service just for the Fax number alone.
3. Posted by: Benjamin Higginbotham on August 30, 2007 12:04 PM:
DWdrum, I respectfully disagree. Lets define beta (this can also be found in Wikipedia for looking for "beta"):
"A beta version is the first version released outside the organization or community that develops the software, for the purpose of evaluation or real-world black/grey-box testing. The process of delivering a beta version to the users is called beta release. Beta level software generally includes all features, but may also include known issues and bugs of a less serious variety."
If the GrandCentral software is in beta then it's entered real-world testing and is essentially feature complete. If major features were to be added then it should be marked as an alpha product.
Lets ignore semantics for a second and just say that they used the term beta incorrectly. Now that they are owned by Google, who is to say that it will ever exit beta? GrandCentral was doing a great job of keeping up before they were acquired, now all outward appearances show a pretty much stalled company. Over a month between blog posts?!? No answer to inquiries. No new features or communications. It's all dried up.
I won't hold my breath for a premium version, fax or SMS support. Hopefully you're right and they will get their act together, but I think they have been destroyed by Google never to recover. Here's hoping I'm wrong.
4. Posted by: Julian on August 30, 2007 10:32 PM:
This is pretty much what google did with writely isn't it? They bought it, closed the beta registration and nothing happened for a long time then google docs came out. Anyway, I am hoping to get a grand central number soon because I too use my cell almost exclusively and refuse to give out my home number, but I live in the country. When I am home I get no cell service. It would be nice to get my calls at home without giving out the home number or having to tell everyone to call this number first, then this one, then the home number (for family and close friends only).
If any of you could help me out I would really appreciate it.
jlem26 at gmail dot com
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1. Posted by: DWdrum on August 30, 2007 8:00 AM:
Good article, but, it's still in beta. I had heard through the grapevine and a reply from tech support that the " Premium" service will allow for Fax Services, SMS, and more...
I'd like to see you re-write this article after the beta. And when all the world gets an iPhone.
DWdrum