Google’s latest creation, Google Voice, is a phone integration for Gmail Chat that is similar to Skype but works within your Web browser. You can also use Google Voice to make and receive calls from regular phone numbers. Best of all, calls are free in the U.S. and Canada. Google Voice allows users to choose between getting a Google number or using a non-Google phone number. Both of these options come with an impressive list of features.
With a Google Voice number you can:
- Use one number to manage all of your phones. Your Google number is tied to you, not a particular device or location.
- Save voicemail messages for as long as you want, star important voicemails and search through them.
- Have voicemails automatically transcribed to text and sent to your through email and/or SMS.
- Customize your caller’s experience, i.e. record custom voicemail greetings, decide which of your phones ring based on who is calling, send some callers straight to voicemail.
- Make low-priced international phone calls from your phone or the Web.
Without a Google Voice number you can:
- Save voicemail messages for as long as you want, star important voicemails and search through them.
- Have voicemails automatically transcribed to text and sent to your through email and/or SMS.
- Customize your voicemail greeting based on who is calling.
Make low-priced international phone calls from your phone or the Web.
The main appeal to Google Voice is that you can get all of your calls through a single number, whether the caller dialed your home phone, cell phone or work phone number. Just add the other numbers to Google Voice and then you’re able to make your own rules for how your phone rings. You can make calls from your phone and the Web, block annoying callers and record custom greetings for different callers or caller groups. You can also get all of your voicemails in one place and even listen in as someone is leaving a voicemail. Google Voice also allows users to record calls, put restricted hours on when your phone is able to ring and more.
All you need to sign up for Google Voice is a Gmail account. To sign up for Google Voice or find out more information about the new service visit the official Google Voice site.
