Who will re-invent phone, again?

Back to 2007, Steve Jobs proudly announced that Apple re-invented phones. iPhone is indeed a revolution for phones. Absolutely!

Today, I am wondering who can do the next big thing on phone – to remove phone number from phones. I call it: re-intent phones, AGAIN!

Generally, phone number is why a phone is called phone. We use phone numbers to identify phones, distinguish incoming calls.

However, with modern technology nowadays, many voice talks not only happen on traditional phone call, but also on Skype, Google Talk and Facetime. In those talk scenarios, phone number actually is not essential. What we need is only 3G+ data connection.

I think there probably will be some new concept phones which remove voice talk components come in a couple of years. All voice talk on the phones is based on data layer. And more important is, you don’t have to insert a SIM card into the phone to use it.

The first company introduces this new type phone will be called re-invent phones, AGAIN!

Believe it or not, there are a few very similar products on the market currently. The most famous one is Kindle 3G. With it, users can get 3G connectivity through almost whole world, and they don’t need to worry about SIM card or telecom carriers. Amazon might charge users for some not-free data using. So, if the device has voice talk feature, it is the ONE.

However, there isn’t the ONE, yet. If you let me guess, I say Apple or Amazon probably will release the ONE firstly. Both companies have loyal customers, mature ecosystems and global influence. I won’t surprise if one of these two introduce the new revolution.

Just imaging, you buy such a phone from an Apple Store, go back to home, connect the new device to home Wi-Fi, it will automatically come to iTunes login page. Key-in the credential, choose data plan, confirm it, then your device will automatically connect to 3G network. Apple will charge you every month for 3G using by your iTunes account. You don’t have to deal with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone…

On this device, there isn’t any traditional voice module. Yes, there are microphone and speaker. You can only call online friends, through Skype, Google Talk and Facetime for free. If you like to call traditional phone number, you will be charged separately. Same thing happens if you like having a traditional number. In the future, phone number is not the primary identification of a phone.

I will buy a device like this immediately once it is on the market.