Google Voice

Have you heard about Google Voice?  You know that phone management system that Google bought from GrandCentral in 2007?  Since 2007 it has remained a private beta for all former GrandCentral users and a select group of other people.

Google Voice is no longer staying its private ways.  Google is now opening up the service to a limited number of new users which have signed up a beta invite from Google.  Right now the service is 100% free and you do not need to pay a penny if you are using it all with all within the United States.

Google Voice will provide you with a single number.  It is a number that looks just like any old telephone number.  The number is then attached to all your personal numbers.  Such as your house phone, work phone and cell phone.  The thing is though you do not need to give anyone them numbers all you need to give them is the Google Voice number.  When they call that number all phones or the phones that ring that you choose from the person will ring for you to pick up.

Google Voice also allows free phone calls within the United States.  What you need to do is select the person you wish to call from your address book or type in there number.  Then Google Voice will call the phone you selected.  Once you pick up the call Google then will connect you with the other person.  All free within the United States though they do have competitive prices for international calling.

Some of the features of Google Voice include

• Forward calls from your Google Voice number to one or more phones, or directly to voicemail. Based on who’s calling, you can select which of your phones will ring.
• Receive text (SMS) alerts when you get a call.  You can also send.
• Transcribe voicemails, which Google Voice will send as email and/or text messages to your cell phone.
• Listen to voicemail messages as they’re being recorded-a great throwback to the home answering machine.
• Screen callers by asking for and recording their names.
• Block annoying callers by playing a number-not-in-service recording when they call.
• Vary personalized greetings by caller.
• Record phone conversations and listen to them in your Google Voice inbox.
• Switch phones during a call.
• Use the free GOOG 411 service to say the name and location of a business, and have your call connected for free.