A few months ago, Google took a huge step towards total consolidation of its mobile communication suite as Hangouts acquired SMS functionality. According to 9to5Google, the company is planning to drop Google Voice next, integrating its features with Hangouts as well. Although this seems like a natural progression, especially considering that fact that placing a call through Hangouts is already possible, VoIP might also be making its way to the iOS and Android Hangouts app, allowing users to make and receive VoIP calls with their Google phone numbers.
“The VoIP functionality would allow those willing to trust Google with their number a way to drop their carrier voice plans altogether – an extremely controversial move and one we’d expect to see challenged by carriers,” writes 9to5Google’s Seth Weintraub.
The death of Google Voice is still months away according to the source, but Google might be ready to talk about the next step for Hangouts at Google I/O in June.
