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No, I'm not thinking I'm Joan of Arc, but in addition to the more traditional forms of cloud computing, voice services are moving into the cloud. I'm referring to the acquisition of GrandCentral by Google, becoming the
Google Voice service, currently in beta test for existing GrandCentral subscribers.
A key feature is that you get a number in an area code of your choice, and when someone calls it, all the phones you have mapped to it ring simultaneously. When you pick up one of those phones, the call is routed to it. You can get call screening, voice mail, you can switch a call from one phone line to another while the call is in progress, and you can call overseas for as low as 2 cents a minute (US to Europe).
Of course, Skype is even easier or simpler in many cases, and the quality is now almost as good. Telecom companies are losing their market fast (see a recent article in TIME Magazine). Companies still install PBXes and voicemail systems on their premises, but surely this is not going to last long now. The notion of a "business line" or a "home phone" is going to disappear soon.
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