Handling of Google Voice reminds AT&T vet of Ma Bell

Google has made numerous product announcements over the past several months: Google Wave, Google Voice, the Chrome web browser and now its new Chrome operating system. Paltalk's July Shaprio, who did a long stint at AT&T, has an interesting piece taking a look specifically at Google's treatment of the old Grand Central. Since it's outside of Google's "core competency," the acquisition, its handling, and Google's "public" launch of Google Voice reminds her of some of the original Bell company's moves into the home security and PC markets in the 1990s.

With all the buzz, questions, and skepticism surrounding Google Voice, it's a worthwhile read.

For more:
- see Shapiro's piece at AdAge here