T-Mo's Bobsled slips back onto Facebook, but, so what?

A month after T-Mobile USA launched, then voluntarily took down, its Bobsled VoIP app on Facebook, the service has returned with a new look.

The app, which gives Facebook friends the ability to talk for free with other Bobsled users and to leave voice messages for non-Bobsled users, was launched with mush fanfare April 19... and then quietly taken down after about a week. The official word was that users were confused by the interface, unclear about whether the service was owned and operated by Facebook or T-Mobile, something that made Facebook a little uneasy.

So, the service went back to the shop for a remake.

"We are voluntarily and temporarily suspending the Bobsled service as we work with our partners at Facebook to address their design questions, including working to ensure that the Bobsled experience is clearly differentiated and is not mistaken for a Facebook-created property," T-Mobile said. "We apologize to our customers for this temporary disruption in service."

The app made it simple to connect with friends on Facebook, and it generally offered a quality connection. And, T-Mobile has more planned for it, including video chat on Facebook, the ability to make calls to landlines and wireless numbers, as well as plans to roll out carrier agnostic apps for smartphones and tablets.

There was a pretty loud howl of protest when the service was taken down, with concerned fans posting loads of questions on Bobsled's Facebook page... at least there was a flurry for a couple of days before it quickly quieted down.

And that, of course, raises the question of just how much of a demand is there for a voice chat app on a service that users love because it doesn't require any concerted concentration?

In other words, who really wants to talk to Facebook friends?--Jim

P.S. In honor of the Memorial Day holiday, FierceVoIP isn't publishing Monday, May 30. Instead, we'll be grilling brats and golfing. Look for FierceVoIP in your inbox Tuesday with the latest news. Have a great holiday!