Google Voice

Google Voice is a new service from Google now being beta tested. It is an outgrowth of the Google acquisition Grand Central. I will save the suspense; everyone will want to get Google Voice. To sign up, go to . Toward the bottom of the screen is the link "Google Voice is currently available by invite only. Get an Invite." Click the link, and sign up to receive an email when room is available in the beta program. You will see Google Voice has wonderful features for small businesses and families.

So, what is Google Voice (GV)? GV is to all of your phones as your ISP is to your DSL line. If you have Qwest DSL, you probably want some other ISP than the Microsoft thing Qwest offers. And, when it comes to phones services, you do not have to rely on Qwest or your cell phone provider. All current GV features are free! So many features, I cannot list all.

Here's how it works. When you get a GV account, you will pick a new phone number. This phone number does not replace your Qwest phone number or your office number or your cell phone number. You can set the preferences so when someone calls your GV number, *all* your other numbers ring. You will get the call, no matter where you are.

Or, set preferences so calls from your family only ring at home or all calls before 6 PM go to the office phone or Joe Smith's calls always go to your cell phone.

Google Voice does much more. How about free long distance calls anywhere in the US? Yup, free. And, cheap calls to other countries, including 2 to 3 cents per minute to most European countries, Japan, Australia. Only 1 cent per minute to Canada. You get these rates by using your GV phone number either from the GV web page from your phone using a special PIN.

That's just the beginning. You don't have to pick a GV phone number in the Denver area. This is very useful if you do a lot of business in a second city.

And, people can call you for free. Put the GV widget on your web site; people click on the widget and enter their name and phone number. GV then calls them and when they pick up the phone, it calls you. Check out the working example on my home page at  (The GV widget uses Flash, so give it time to load, and it won't work from the iPhone)

The features go on. There is call screening, voice messaging, and recording of conversations. Preferences allow you to hear the persons name before connecting or listen to a message while it is recorded. Conference calling is available, although I do not yet know the limitations.

Here's a great feature: your GV phone messages are transcribed into text (assuming they are speaking English). The text is sent to your Google account in-box. It can also be forwarded to you in an email, and sent to your smart phone via an SMS text message. And, you can decide which messages are sent via these messages, maybe only those from co-workers/clients. If the transcription isn't perfect, press the play button to hear the original message.

Another great feature: switching phones. You might be on your house phone with an important call, but you *have* to leave for a meeting. Assuming they called or you called using your GV number, just press the star key. All your GV registered phones will ring, and you pick up your cell phone. Then, hang up the house phone and walk out the door.

A couple of warnings. You may need caller ID and call waiting on your regular phone line to make use of all GV features. Remember phone messages are transcribed and sitting in your Google account, so you cannot assume total privacy.

The future may be very interesting. My thought is Google could add features desired by small businesses, and charge a small fee for premium packages and multiple numbers. Recently Apple removed all applications from the App Store that help you use GV, probably forced by AT&T. So, it will just be nice when those apps return.

Stop reading now and go to the GV web site listed above to learn more about the features, and apply for your invitation!