Honestly, this is long overdue and one of the coolest features we’ve come across recently. It’s so cool in fact, that we are already using it.
Google Voice is one of Google’s latest gadgets to hit their network of tools. Google Voice essentially gives you one phone number to replace all your phone numbers. Come again?
The concept isn’t new to you… you’re just not thinking out-of-the-box. Google Voice allows you to create your own phone number (any area code you desire) and then map or “point” all your other phone numbers to it. You can then instruct your Google Number to forward all calls to any one of your lines.
What’s great is, you have the option to use the Full Version or the Google Voice version (non-Google number). Here’s a breakdown of each:
Google Voice with New Google Number
When you sign up for Google Voice, you can choose a new number that is tied to you instead of a specific device or location. Your Google number isn’t the number of your current mobile device or land line; you’ll get to choose a new number when you sign up.
- Use one number to manage all your phones; your Google Voice number is tied to you, not to a particular device or location.
- Voicemail like email: Save voicemail messages for as long as you’d like, star important ones, and search through them
- Voicemail transcription: Voicemail messages will be automatically transcribed to text and sent to you via email and/or SMS.
- Customize your callers’ experience (custom voicemail greetings, decide which of your phones ring based on who’s calling, send some callers straight to voicemail, etc.)
- Define which phones ring, based on who’s calling, and even ListenInTM on voicemail before answering the call. We use smart technology to route your calls. So, if you’re already on a Google Voice call, we’ll recognize it and use call waiting to reach you on the phone you’re on.
- Works with mobile phones, desk phones, and work phones. There’s nothing to download, upload, or install, and you don’t have to make or take calls using a computer.
- International calling: Make low priced international calls from the web or from your phone.
Google Voice with your non-Google phone number
With this option you won’t get some features (i.e. call forwarding, screening, and call recording), but you’ll still get plenty of others, including:
- Voicemail like email: Save voicemail messages for as long as you’d like, star important ones, and search through them
- Voicemail transcription: Voicemail messages will be automatically transcribed to text and sent to you via email and/or SMS.
- Custom voicemail greetings: Customize your voicemail greeting based on who is calling.
- International calling: Make low priced international calls from the web or from your phone.
For a complete list of the features with each option, click here. You can also check out a video about Google Voice’s set up options.
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