Posted on Thursday, 23rd July 2009 by Frank
About a week and a half ago, I applied to the Google Voice program on a whim. I didn’t think I would be one of the people selected to participate. I really wanted a chance to try out this product by Google because it really captured my interest from the second I heard about what it’s capable of. As the days were going by I figured I wasn’t going to be one of the people chosen. I even asked on Twitter towards Google if I could be a part of Google Voice. At first I hear no reply or anything, so I decided to forget about it. Although, that wasn’t the end of it.
Yesterday while checking my email, and cleaning up my inbox a new message poped up and said, “you have been invited to Google voice.” I was extrememly happy. My passion for new technology can’t be described and being a select person chosen to try out their new service is quite the experience! Being selected by Google for anything I think would make any person happy! So, I wanted to write this post to give people some insight about what Google Voice is. You may want to apply to the program after reading this and give it a go yourself. Who knows, you may be selected as well!
Google Voice’s primary purpose is to have you choose your own phone number and sync them with your actual phones. That may sound confusing, so I’ll explain. If you have a cell phone and a house phone, you can choose to use the number you create with Google Voice as your primary number to give people. When that number is called, both your cell phone and house phone will ring. It guarantees that you will never miss a call! Whichever phone is closest to you at the moment answer it like any normal telephone call. The other phone will stop ringing once one is answered and you set them this up with as many or as few phones as you want. Your Google Voice number is a forwarding number to put it in basic terms.
Here’s a good scenario. Say someone is calling your house phone and you are not there, but they don’t have access to your cell phone. What do you do to make sure you aren’t missing those calls? Instead of handing out your actual home phone number, give them your Google Voice number that you created and configure that number to forward to both your house and cell phone. You will be sure all calls will now be answered! What’s the best thing about Google Voice…it’s FREE! There’s no cost whatsoever, unless you are making international calls. I don’t many people whoo are doing that, but it’s still something you can do with Google Voice.
International calls are the only thing that will cost you a small fee and you can find that out by checking out the rates page. Any calls to the U.S. are free to do! There’s no catch at all which is what I was thinking there was in the beginning. I contacted someone who has already been using Google Voice and they told me that it was yet another free service offered by Google.
You want to talk innovation. This is it! Google really sets the bar when coming up with new technology and you know what the greatest part is? Their products don’t have flaws! They make sure all their ideas are implemented and function properly. This is why they are so successful. If you think this is all there is to Google Voice, it gets even better! Not only, is it rediculously simple to set up because it walks you through the steps, but you also create your own voicemail message. I just thought this was really neat. Since Google Voice is done through your Google account, you can make calls, send SMS, and chance your voicemail all through the Google Voice page. The features never end and this is technology at its finest!
What I like most about the Google Voice page is I don’t always need to be holding a phone like when I send an SMS. Being able to do it straight from the page and then having the conversation stored and recorded is awesome! It’s a cell phone inside your web browser is the best way to put it! Google Voice gives you the opportunity to listen in on people leaving voicemails and then deciding whether to answer or not. This seems like it will revolutionize the way we interact with our cell phone companies. Google may now domminate the phone carrier industry! Can a company be any smarter? I mean having the ability to listen to a voicemail is one thing, but being able to see it displayed in text format is quite another! This can all be seen when you are on the Google Voice page.
Honestly, this is one of the wildest things I have ever experienced with technology. Nothing has come close…YET! Who knows, there’s always something new out there that will impress me. Also, one other feature I have to mention, when you are receiving a call it gives you options when you answer. You can choose to answer, send to voicemail, ignore….and you can screen calls from numbers you don’t know!
So, what are you waiting for, sign up to be invited to Google Voice. You really won’t be disappointed, it’s a fantastic service! When you try to think of what the definition of technology really is….I think Google Voice is a perfect definition. You may wonder why I get so into technology…this is exactly why! I can’t get enough of this stuff and I truly am impressed with the products and services being created each day!
So, if you already have Google Voice, what do you think of it? Are you impressed or is there something you would change about it? Does this define technology for you?
Further reading:
New Technology Coming From T-Mobile
Which Cell Phone Is The Best Tech Gadget?
Technology Innovation Huge In 2010
Technology Reaches All Time High
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Tags: cell phone, google voice, innovation, phone calls, Technology, texting
Posted in Technology | Comments (3)
July 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Frank,
I just configured Google Voice a couple of weeks ago. I actually worked with a virtual PBX company for 3 years and so I’m familiar with the value of the service to a small business owner.
Google has done a great job integrating GrandCentral’s technology and I’m looking forward to future enhancements.
Best,
- John
[Reply]
Frank Reply:
July 24th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
John,
What exactly is a virtual PBX company? It sounds awesome and really rewarding to be a part of something like that. Also, I am in full agreement with you. Google has done a fantastic job – not just with this project, but will all of them. I continually look forward to seeing what is next on their list. Thanks for your input!!
Frank-
[Reply]
April 5th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
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