I <3 Google Voice

I waited and waited.... earlier last week, I finally received my Google Voice invitation! Yay! Naturally, I shared my excitement with my friends and have been a proponent for the product, especially over this last week after I received my account. Many of my friends asked me what is the big deal with Google Voice and what one can use it for. So here it is:

• One number to rule them all: You can now point your Google Voice numbers to your home, mobile, work, etc. numbers. Rather than giving out different numbers to your family and friends, you can now give them this one number. What's more, you are able to configure which phone to ring for each caller or group of callers, and even configure the phone number to ring through to a "this number has been disconnected" number for spammers or whoever you no longer wish to stay in touch with.
• Free local long distance from your land line: If you get a Google Voice number that directs calls to your land line, you'll be able to utilize it to call US long distance numbers toll-free on your land line by placing the call through the Google Voice website (which rings your land line and connects you to the long distance number). Furthermore, if this Google Voice number is local to your land line as well, you'll be able to make long distance calls completely toll-free and computer-free by dialing your Google Voice number from your land line (which Google Voice is connected to) and place the call through voice prompts. Although my cell phone has free long distance, using my land line to call long distance before nights and weekend kicks in means not eating up my cell phone minutes. This is especially handy calling the office while working from home or using free conference call services (that always assigns out-of-state numbers). Within my first week of having my Google Voice number, I already racked up > 300 long distance minutes! I just set up Google Voice number for mom; even someone without internet access can take advantage of the service!
• On-demand conference calls: Google Voice allows you to conference up to three other parties on your Google Voice number.
• Voicemail transcriptions: Voicemails that are left with your Google Voice number is transcribed into text (if transcribable); the text is sent as SMS to your mobile number, and also sent along with the voice file to your email.

Above are features that are most relevant to me at this point. They are just a few amongst many features currently available on Google Voice. To find out more, check out their about page.

Disclaimer: I don't work on Google Voice, nor do I work for or own stock on Google.

Update: It appears the free conference services no longer work on Google Voice (see TechCrunch article for more info). Bummer!

(Photo by Playadura*)