New Google Voice Invites Released, No Public Launch Yet

Google Voice started out as Grand Central. Google acquired Grand Central and began revamping it. During the revamp, only original Grand Central users could use the service; no new people could sign up. New users had to wait for an invite.

Well, I finally got my invite to Google Voice last night. I was excited at first, but disappointing when I realized I don't really have much use for it. For one, I don't want to have to hand out a new phone number to all of my friends and family. And two, I really only use one phone. But I can definitely see how useful this service could be for someone. I really wanted to find a way for it to be useful for me, though.

With Google Voice, you get a new phone number, and set up your account so that when people call that number it will ring to all of your phones. That way, in theory, you would never miss a call. I tried it out and it worked perfectly for me. Also, Google Voice will save your texts and voicemail on their servers. The service can also transcribe your voicemails and email them to you. Other little features include:

• The ability to send and SMS from your GV number right from your browser
• Place a call directly from your browser
  
• View your missed, received, placed calls, etc.
  
• Record your calls
• Read your voicemails and texts right from your Google Voice inbox
• Listen in on some one as they're leaving you a voicemail
• Place very cheap international calls ($0.10 credit added for free when you sign up)

So, for example, when I set up my account yesterday I was asked to put in my zip code or area code. Google Voice gave me hundreds of numbers to choose from. Then GV had me set up my other phones that I wanted to receive Google Voice calls from. I set up my cell phone and my landline. Google called each of those phones individually and asked for the two digit code that was presented to me on my screen. I punched it in on each phone and they were set up. That's how easy it is. My friend called my GV number and sure enough, both phones rang! He sent a text to my GV number and I got it on my cell and I could read in through my GV inbox. Pretty slick if you ask me.

It seems to be a very cool service. Someone running some sort of small mobile business would find it very useful. For example, the owner could give out one number to all of their customers and when someone called, any one of the employees would be able to pick up. You could even have it ring to certain employees depending on which customer is calling!

Google Voice isn't for everyone, but who it is for is really going to enjoy it. As soon as I find a need for it, I will definitely start using it.



Update: I just realized how I could use Google Voice! It's always hard for me to find out what's going on with my parents. I always have to dial about 3 or 4 different numbers before I reach one of them. If I add their numbers to my GV account, I will only have to dial one. Genius!