Google Phone Can’t Run VoIP

At long last, the long-awaited Google Phone has finally been launched! The Linux-based Android G1 was unveiled in New York today. It’s not as sleek and slim as the iPhone and the QWERTY keyboard looks a little unweildy to use, but I think what might turn people off about it is that it’s not as “open” as Google would have led you to believe. On the VoIP side, Google’s GTalk will automatically work as an IM client when you launch it but you can’t use it to make voice calls. There won’t be any restrictions on VoIP apps because the OS is open, and T-Mobile didn’t place any restrictions on VoIP over WiFi either. However, T-Mobile occupied the same stance with AT&T and Apple: they have no plans to support VoIP on their 3G mobile network. Hardly a very open approach.

As for developing applications for the G1, VoIP or otherwise, Google says they need to “validate” the apps before they can be made available. They didn’t give out any details on how that will work, which is really not much different from Apple.

Also, Daniel Roth from Wired asked T-Mobile CTO Cole Brodman what would stop a company like Skype from designing a VoIP program that will run on the G1, thus negating the need for the T-Mobile voice plan. Brodman’s response was that they “worked with Google” to make sure that the G1 won’t be able to run VoIP. In that case, I wouldn’t count on getting the G1 as a VoIP device.