Google yesterday rolled out a new browser-based HTML5 version of its popular Google Voice service.
Apple instigated an FCC inquiry when the company's App Store held up the application, claiming it needed to decide whether Google Voice duplicated any of its proprietary UI. But with HTML5, Google can offer the app direct to consumers, without going through an app store.
In addition to letting users access a streamlined version of Google Voice inbox, the new Web app also allows users to display their Google Voice number as the outbound caller ID, send and receive text messages for free, place and receive free domestic calls and place international calls at relatively cheap rates.
The new version of Google Voice is based on HTML5 technology, which many believe could be the chosen platform for mobile apps going forward. HTML5 is designed to reduce the latency normally associated with applications running off the cloud. It also reduces fragmentation by allowing developers to create apps which are compatible with virtually any device.