Google Voice is like having your own robotic switchboard with answering service to route calls and tell spammers that your number is disconnected. Google Voice automatically routes calls to either your cell or your landline and its free.Yup from the web enter a number, then your phone (of any type) is called as well as your contact. Messages are turned into text and sent as email.
Apple doesn't like the concept and banned it from the iPhone store. In the meantime, BlackBerry and Android (with the Google OS) can enjoy all the features.
Here's what Google said at their mobile version of Google Voice:
Previously, to place a call using Google Voice, you had to dial your
own Google Voice number from your cell phone or use the Quick Call
button online. With this new mobile app, you can make calls and send
SMS messages with your Google Voice number directly from your mobile
phone. The app is fully integrated with each phone's contacts, so you
can call via Google Voice straight from your address book.
From the mobile app, you can:
- Access
your voicemail: read message transcripts, follow along with
"karaoke-style" playback of messages, read SMS messages sent to your
Google Voice number (even if your phone doesn't receive SMS messages)
and access your call history. - Place calls that display your
Google Voice number from your address book, the app dialer (Blackberry)
or the native dialer (Android). - Send SMS messages that display your Google Voice number.
- Place international calls at low rates.
The BlackBerry Google Voice app requires BlackBerry OS 4.2 or later required. BlackBerry Storm devices must be in emulation mode. It looks like Google Voice does not work on the BlackBerry Tour yet.
You can download the app from the Google Voice mobile site at m.google.com/voice.The Android app is avaialble from Google or in Android Market -- just search for "Google Voice."
And
for those of you who don't have a Blackberry or an Android-powered
device, there is mobile web version of the Google Voice site
(accessible by typing www.google.com/voice into your mobile browser) that allows you to access Google Voice features.
You'll
need a Google Voice account to use the mobile application. Currently,
Google Voice is only available in the U.S. If you'd like to check it
out, request an invite here.