There’s been a bit of buzz created by TechCrunch’s leaking of a Google Voice desktop app built from the Gizmo platform last week.

Most of the buzz has been driven by speculation as if or when the desktop app will be released. Many have proclaimed this to be a move that would put Google Voice in direct competition with Skype.

Some have even gone so far as to suggest that this Google Voice desktop app might be a Skype killer or at the very least become a heavy competitor.

The reality is that killing Skype or even putting a sizable dent in their business won’t be easy for Google Voice even with a desktop app. Here’s why:

• No motivation to switch – The majority of Skype users use Skype for things like Skype-to-Skype calls, video chat, collaboration and cheap international calling. While the new Google Voice app might eventually mimic these features, why would a Skype user switch? Google Voice must come out with something that will motivate current Skype users to switch. Oh and don’t talk about the free number – I’m sure Skype could hand out the same thing.
• Poor Track Record – Google has a poor track record of success outside of their core business of search and advertising. The likelihood of them successfully mashing two companies (GrandCentral and Gizmo5) together underneath one roof and taking out the market leader is very slim – no matter how much money they have.
• Privacy Issues – Sure Google Voice is free and serves a purpose, but at some point people will eventually become wary of the  amount of data they are freely giving to Google (who is selling this to advertisers). It is only a matter of time before folks realize that in many cases Google is just as bad as Facebook is when it comes to sharing data with third parties.
• Business Model – At some point Google Voice will need to make direct revenues or act as a channel that creates indirect revenues (I.E. monetized by advertising). Right now Google Voice is popular, but it’s free. How many would pay $5 – $10 a month for it? I’m not sure. Plus ad supported calling has proven time and time again to be a failed business model. Now money could be made selling minutes (outbound), however that is increasingly difficult to do.

In the end a Google Voice desktop app will certainly broaden the appeal and usage of the service. But it doesn’t appear to offer anything more than what can already be found with Skype (and others).

It’s simply not a game changer, not enough to kill Skype and likely won’t put much of a dent in their business.

Since the advent of the Internet it was apparent to most that it would have a substantial impact on other entertainment and media vehicles (I.E. Newspapers, Magazines, TV). If you’ve spent any amount of time around the communications or media industries you know that everyone has proclaimed the death of the TV.

Thanks to the Internet, the TV has become less and less important. Well at least to some.

While it is true that the Internet has put a dent in the TV “mind share” of millions, TV isn’t dead. Nor does it seem that the TV is ready to roll over and die.

Today’s TV is not the one trick pony it use to be.

Brands around the world have finally started to smarten up and are now coming out with TV’s and ancillary components that make the TV much more, well, PC like. Take for example, Skype’s work with LG and Panasonic to bring Skype to your TV.

It’s not just the TV manufacturer’s either. Cable companies are now offering the almighty “triple play” and integrating call screen pop’s to alert you of an incoming call.

Soon cable companies will start offering the quadruple play of Internet, voice, TV and video. Check out FREETALK TV if curious as to what could become a common accessory for your TV in the near future.

Don’t know about you, but this really does sound like TV manufacturers and cable companies working to port current web utility to the TV.

Which leads to the question, “can the TV screen compete with the PC screen?”

The PC has been dominant the last decade. It has put a dent in the  mind share and market share the TV held for the previous three decades thanks to the rise of the Internet.

But the TV still has a strong foot hold in the lives of millions.

If played smart and done well, it’s not a stretch to think that the TV could compete with the PC as the “primary screen” be which people communicate with one another and entertain themselves.

What do you think?