Observations

Sweet!  I just got my invitation to Google Voice!   My new Google telephone number is (612) 234-2872 and it is the most efficient way to get a hold of me as it will ring both my work phone and home phone at the same time, allowing me to pick up which ever is closer.

Google Voice lets you record different voice mail messages for different people.  Friends can have one, Family another, and work another, or you can make a separate voice mail message for each person who calls you.  Pretty sweet.   Also I can check my voice mail from anywhere, my phone, a pay phone, a work phone, or just listen to them by logging into google voice on the computer.

It even offers to listen and transcribe your voice mails for you, and will then send you them in an email or text message — though it’s not so hot at doing this yet, and it is still in a “beta” stage.

Transcribed as:
“Hey Justin, This is john just nothing terribly mailer whatever. So if you want to give me a call back. Belated Latifah alright. Talk to you Later. Bye Bye.”

They say they will improve this transcribing feature in the future, and I believe them.  Other features include…

• 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 free within the continental US and to Canada
• Taking calls – Answer on any of your phones
• Phone routing – Phones ring based on who calls
• Forwarding phones – Add phones and decide which ring

Most cellphones have some stipulation that incoming calls are free.  Well, when you want to make a call you have the option to have Google, call your phone and when you pick up, connect you with the person you want to call!  You can call anywhere in the US and Canada free, which includes conference calls, and three way calling.

I love that Google offers ALL OF THESE features for free, and it feels good to be able to stick it to phone companies like AT&T that really, charge you for every last feature they provide.  Google proves that this stuff costs almost nothing to implement and phone companies, STILL charge you for it.   These are the reasons I love Google, they offer TONS of high end super useful programs, features, and software, completely free of charge!

At this point because Google Voice is still in beta, it is by invitation only.  If you want you can go to the website:  www.google.com/voice and sign up today.  I waited maybe a month before I got my invitation.

I am sure that this will be an incredibly useful tool, once it is released.