Google Voice coming soon.

[Apollo]

Well if no one knows what it is. http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

This is really exciting because it would be an amazing service to have and it has been in a strict closed beta for a long time.

Seems that Google is ramping up to release it to the masses. Sooo excited.

http://lifehacker.com/5302430/google-voice-may-open-to-all-today

 

[mike_n_herrin]

sounds cool. wonder how many will use it.

 

[Spiff]

When I first saw this thread, I thought Google was doing voice recognition stuff with their search engine (although I think that can already be done with third party stuff).

But I am impressed by the smart idea with Google Voice. It makes perfect sense and makes one wonder what took so long for someone to come up with this idea.

 

[bankside]

I hope this is extended and internationalised to replace area codes, country codes, dialling trunk codes and all of that bullshit.

There should be 7 billion phone numbers and when you dial the one for the person you want, it should figure out how to reach you.

 

[Apollo]

When I first saw this thread, I thought Google was doing voice recognition stuff with their search engine (although I think that can already be done with third party stuff).

But I am impressed by the smart idea with Google Voice. It makes perfect sense and makes one wonder what took so long for someone to come up with this idea.

It's been awhile for awhile. Google bought Grand Central (which is what this is) and let it sit there for like 3 or 4 years.

Turns out they were just working on bringing it up to Google standards. They rereleased Grand Central as Google Voice and improved it quite a lot.

 

[Apollo]

Oooo congrats. I found a huge use for it. I hope you like it.

 

[Apollo]

It's interesting.

They allow you to choose a phone number.

So far, I like they show who called you.

Yeah, you get a Google number and you have that forever.

You can set it up your phones to ring when people call that number, and texting from it is awesome.

I learned that you can pay a small price to change your number if you want.

And there is a servie (i forgot the name) that you can call without the need for a cell or landline service. It isn't skype, but that would be awesome. Completely free phone calling, and you already have free text through it.

 

[Apollo]

I only have one number, my cell.

I don't remember signing up for Voice.

I don't get why anyone will use the Google call option.

You type whatever phone number, and it'll call your phone. It'll connect the call for you. What's the point?

I'll can dial the number myself. I must be missing something.

EDIT: Not meant for cellphones. Landlines will have free long distance.

Well it could keep people from knowing your real number.

If you had more than one phone, you could set the times it calls either phone, and it offers the option to block numbers.

Also, say if you get a new phone, and a new number. No need to tell people the new number, they have your Google number.

Idk, for some people it is super useful and makes a lot of sense. For some, it isn't needed at all.

I find it useful to me personally.

 

[Apollo]

If I didn't click on the link, I would have given it to you.

It's now tied to my account.

I already have Google Voice.

You could find it useful for your students? It is a number that they can call and ask you questions. Google transcribes all your voicemails into voice recordings. It is pretty good, but not great. You can also have custom voicemail messages for certain numbers. So you could make a group for your students numbers, and when they call and get a voicemail, you can tell them homework assignments, or something else.

Also, it doesn't give them your actual phone number. You don't even have to link it to your phone if you don't want. It keeps a level of privacy between you and your students, and can become useful.

Also, because text messages through Google is free, they can text your Google number, and you can go into Google Voice everyday and answer questions they may have.

Just a few things it could be used for.

 

[Apollo]

Maybe the parents of the children.

I was reading some of the comments left in the Help Forum. Most of the people are desperate for an invite.

I like the option to have different people get a different voice message.

Yeah I applied for this when it was first announced like a year ago. Got the invite the second day they opened up invites.

It might be better for the parents

 

[bankside]

The only thing is that if you want to shield your real number, well, your google number kind of becomes your real number.... so if you want to cut ties to a wacko, you have to change a very important number anyway.

 

[Telstra]

wow, i just watched the overview and i like it.

so people can ring your google number from a home phone or any phone ?

 

[Apollo]

wow, i just watched the overview and i like it.

so people can ring your google number from a home phone or any phone ?

Your google number is a real number. You can make your google number ring your home and cell phone at the same time.

If you want, you can set your G Number to ring your work number at certain times of the day. Or ring your cell phone at certain times of the day. Same with cell phone.

Google gives you all types of control with this. No numbers outside the US though. Sorry...

 

[Telstra]

Your google number is a real number. You can make your google number ring your home and cell phone at the same time.

If you want, you can set your G Number to ring your work number at certain times of the day. Or ring your cell phone at certain times of the day. Same with cell phone.

Google gives you all types of control with this. No numbers outside the US though. Sorry...

oh i thought it is international.

 

[Apollo]

oh i thought it is international.

It supports international calls.

Google has to secure numbers to give to people. I don't think they are on that level of number collecting yet.

 

[Telstra]

i think www phone number is a good idea.

google can do it. Give me my www phone number LOL

 

[Apollo]

i think www phone number is a good idea.

google can do it. Give me my www phone number LOL

lol google voice is kinda useless if you don't have a actual number.

i mean if you want a www number, Skype.

 

[Telstra]

lol google voice is kinda useless if you don't have a actual number.

i mean if you want a www number, Skype.

but skype number doesn't accept any type of phone calls or doesn't it ?

by the way, i never use skype before so i don't really know how it works.

 

[Apollo]

You can use skype to call landlines and cell phones. It costs a little money though.

Calling skype to skype is free though.

 

[Apollo]

Beginners Guide to Google Voice

Google's upped its pace handing out invites to Google Voice, the service that controls all your phones with one number. For those just arriving, we're offering up a beginner's guide to setting up, transitioning to, bug-fixing, and actually enjoying Google Voice.

If you still haven't received an invite or want a clearer picture of what Google Voice actually does, peek first at our screenshot-packed first look and tips on whether you actually need it.

Once you accept an invite, register your number, and make your first text or phone call, you might be wondering how to go about actually using Google Voice—after all, nobody's calling you on that number just yet, and your number doesn't have any rules set up to begin with. That's where this guide starts off. There are lots of resources that explain how Google Voice's features work, but we're hoping to help you learn how to get people calling that number, work past the flaws in its system, and manage the callers for a better overall phone experience.

http://lifehacker.com/5311254/how-to-ease-your-transition-to-google-voice