Joe Rohrhoff (WSU)



What exactly is Google Voice, anyway?
According to Wikipedia, Google Voice (formerly GrandCentral) is "a free Google Internet service that uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to link customers' phone numbers together".

Okay, but what does that mean for us, the non-computer language speaking public? Well, when you sign up, you receive a phone number from Google. You can program this number to reach you at any or all locations, such as a cell phone, home land line, or business phone.

Check out this short video explaining Google Voice's capabilities.

Currently, Google Voice is by invite only. But, have no fear! Get your invite here.

So, what are the benefits to using Google Voice?




1. Use only ONE phone number for all of your calls and SMS!

• Call screening - Announce and screen callers
• Listen in - Listen before taking a call
• Block calls - Keep unwanted callers at bay
• SMS - Send, receive, and store SMS
• Place calls - Call US numbers for free
• Taking calls - Answer on any of your phones
• Phone routing - Phones ring based on who calls
• Forwarding phones - Add phones and decide which ring

2. Get your voicemail like you get your emails, including transcripts!

• Voicemail transcripts - Read what your voicemail says
• Listen to voicemail - Check online or from your phone
• Notifications - Receive voicemails via email or SMS
• Personalize greeting - Vary greetings by caller
• Share voicemail - Forward or download voicemails

3. And here's even more great things Google Voice can do for you:

• Conference calling - Join people into a single call
• Call record - Record calls and store them online
• Call switch - Switch phones during a call
• Mobile site - View your inbox from your mobile
• GOOG-411 - Check directory assistance
• Manage groups - Set preferences by group

Want more? Read up on Google Voice with some excerpts from recent news publications:

• "Google Voice: Flawed but Still Awesome", a Blog by Larry Magid, Safe and Secure
• "Google Voice Coming to iPhone as Web App", Marin Perez, Information Week
• "Let Freedom Ring with Google Voice", Etan Horowitz, The Orlando Sentinel

Resources:

Google Voice homepage: http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html#

Wikipedia defintion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Voice

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Q9MJdT5Ds

Larry Magid, Google Voice: Flawed but Still Awesome: http://news.cnet.com/google-voice-flawed-but-still-awesome/

Marin Perez, Information Week: http://www.informationweek.com/news/telecom/voice/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=219100634

Etan Horowitz, The Orlando Sentinel: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/128977/