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Google's GrandCentral Is NOT The Hottest Mobile App Ever

Sure, it might offer the convenience of having one number, but its faults outweigh the benefits. For enterprises, there are clearly better alternatives. And unified communication isn't really that hot.

I am going to have to disagree with my colleague, Alex Wolfe. In this blog post he claims that Google's GrandCentral application is the "hottest mobile app ever". That's quite an overstatement.

Yes, it does do some things like reduce the number of phone numbers through which we are contacted. Having multiple lines (home, work, cell) is definitely a pain. Tying those three numbers into a single service that will ring on whichever phone you choose certainly has its appeal. But Google isn't the only company doing this.

It might work for consumers, but enterprises that need or want to manage their PBX and cellular telephony have more robust options, such as Nokia and Cisco's unified communications application. It ties office and cell lines together and lets IT manage them appropriately to control security and costs. Does it cost money? Sure. Is Google's system free? It is for now. Free doesn't necessarily mean better. What sort of support does Google offer?

There are other options, too. Such as PhoneFusion, which offers find me/follow me, custom music on hold, voicemail, call screening, call recording and call transfers for $10 per month. It offers more services if you ramp up the spending to $25 per month, including a virtual attendant and PBX functionality.

Phone.com also offers VoIP and cellular converged services, all tied together with your very own 800 number. It gives you access to vanity numbers and local phone numbers that ring on any phone; one voicemail box for all your phone numbers; select phone extensions and set call forwarding to any phone number; email fax/Internet fax service; email and SMS/mobile alerts for incoming fax and voicemails; monthly and annual unlimited phone services; and low international phone call rates. Pricing starts at $10 per month. (C'mon, who doesn't want their own 800 number?)

What about yesterday's news from good old Microsoft?

So there are alternatives to Google's GrandCentral. That much is obvious. But I also contend that there are better mobile apps out there than unified messaging. What about voice-enabled search? SMS-based search? Location-based services? Mobile RSS readers?

Obviously everyone will have their own opinion based on what is most useful to them. What mobile application do you benefit from the most?

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