Google Voice: The revolutionary phone service

"Google became a phone service provider?"
--No, Google recently bought Grand Central, which provides you with a free phone number that is tied to you instead of a certain phone or location.

So what's Google Voice, you ask?
Google Voice allows you to choose different phones to ring based on who calls your Google Voice phone number. For example, you can set Google Voice to ring your home, work, and cell phones when a family member calls your Google Voice phone number ("GV#"). Alternatively, you can set Google Voice to ring only your cell phone when Bob calls your GV#.

A phone number for eternity.
Since the GV# is tied to you, if you switch jobs or move to a new house where you have new phone numbers, all you need to do is update the phone numbers Google Voice is linked with. It's simple as that. No need to tell everyoneall of your new phone numbers. Tell them your Google Voice phone number once, and you'll never need to tell them a phone number again.

It's FREE.
Now let's think again. Nothing in this world is free. So of course, you are not able to make freecalls just because you get Google Voice. You still have to pay for your monthly phone bill. The term "free" means that the Google Voice service, along with all of it's features, is free. Let's not get confused about this.

Features.
What are some features of Google Voice? Here's a list:

• Google Voice works with any phone. Regardless of its brand or service provider.
• One number for all of your calls and SMS text messages
• Visual voicemail. Voicemail is sent to your Google Voice inbox, where you can see them visually. Just like how voicemail is with an Apple iPhone.
• Call screening: Announce and screen callers
• Listen in: Listen before taking a call
• Block calls: Direct calls from unwanted callers straight to voicemail.
• SMS: Here's a tip--You can send unlimited texts from your Google Voice inbox, online. So forget about those monthly texting fees, and start texting for free from the internet!
• Phone routing: Have different phones ring based on who's calling
• Voicemail transcripts: Read your voicemail
• Personalized greetings: Vary greetings by caller
• Share voicemail: Forward or download voicemails
• Call record: Record calls and store them online
• Call switch: Switch phones during a call
• Mobile site: Access your inbox from your browser on your cell phone.
• GOOG-411: Directory assistance
• Free business cards! (Provided by iPrint.com. Limited quantities available.)

...and more...

Cons.
Not every product is perfect. Someone has to make it so that you can directly dial a number from Google Voice without having to dial your GV# and then enter the number of the person you want to call. This process wastes your minutes, too.

Invite only.
Google Voice is currently available by invite only. That means you have to sign up by submitting your name and e-mail address at http://www.voice.google.com

Conclusion:
Google Voice is useful for people with many phones. The main point is to have a phone number for eternity that won't change, and of course, the many neat features that come with Google Voice.

Want more info?
Go to http://www.voice.google.com or check out the video below: