Google has opened up its Google Voice service to everyone in the United States. This service can cut your landline long distance bill to next to nothing.
Google Voice an IP-based phone managing service that routes home, office and
mobile calls through one phone number.
A phone connection is
required for the service. Google Voice users call into their voice mail
service from any phone.
Once there, they can push a button to get a dial tone and call a
different number. It doesn't require special equipment to connect to the
Internet.
Google Voice features one number, screening,
call-blocking, voicemail transcription, SMS support, conference calling,
GOOG-411 integration, and call recording, low cost international
calling. They also integrated GrandCentral with Google accounts and
Google
address books. Google reportedly will make their money from the fees for
international calling.
The call blocking service, sends the
caller "We're sorry the number that has been disconnected or no longer
in service." There are Google Voice apps for many smartphones.
Users of the service can have voicemails
automatically transcribed. Transcriptions appear in the
inbox and are searchable. Transcriptions are
also included in email and SMS notifications.
When somebody
sends an SMS to a
Google Voice number, that SMS will be relayed to each of the
forwarding cell phones and stored in the inbox. Replies can be made from
a computer or from mobile phones and the conversation
will be saved in the inbox.
Conference
calling: users who want to talk to more than one person at once, tells
everyone to call you on the Google number.Upon a call waiting
notification, users have the option to press 5 to add them to the
existing call.