Google’s Nikhyl Singhal took to Google+ recently to explain some changes headed to Google Voice.
First, Google is working to add support for Google Voice phone numbers to its Hangouts application and service. Hangouts for Android devices recently gained the ability to send messages via SMS, but they can only be sent via the owner’s actual, carrier-assigned phone number and not their Google Voice number. Google hopes to have this resolved by early 2014.
Further, Google is working to add support for picture/video messages to Google Voice, something it is not capable of doing today. The company also hopes to add international numbers to Google Voice. It said that some of these changes take time, as they require Google to work with wireless network operators to make them possible.
Last, Google is going to cut support for third-party Google Voice apps. Google says such apps are violating its terms of service and pose a security risk.
These apps have until May 15, 2014 to transition away from Google Voice.
