I have 3 Android devices and can use this only on the one that has a SIM card?
And even if the others had SIM cards, they'd be on different accounts? WTF.
Viber solves this. You need a phone number to create an account, but other devices can be added as trusted devices.
When you install the client on such device, Viber app on the main phone serves as a authenticator and displays a QR code/PIN that you enter on the other device. This adds the other device as trusted and can use the account, contacts get synced to it.
I have no clue who in Google really thinks their solution will be popular. Someone need to shake up that company a bit and make it step out of their bubble.
I have 3 Android devices and can use this only on the one that has a SIM card? And even if the others had SIM cards, they'd be on different accounts? WTF.