Internet search giant Google has acquired VoIP start-up Gizmo5, in a move most analysts are calling a precursor to a campaign against industry leader Skype.
While Google said in its Google Voice blog that no new features are ready to be announced, the company stated that “Gizmo5’s engineers will be joining the Google Voice team to continue improving the Google Voice and Gizmo5 experience”.
The move to the Google Voice team has led some analysts to believe the company will be improving its Google Voice features in order to compete with Skype, which controls 80% of the market.
It was reported last month that Skype was considering purchasing Gizmo5 in the event it lost a legal battle with its original founders. But just days after Skype announced all legal action had been settled, Google purchased the small company.
Gizmo5 users will be able to still use their services, but no new sign-ups are allowed.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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