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Pay for Visual Voicemail?

I second the Google Voice for VM. There's a lot of other benefits with Google Voice as well. You can get a number to link to multiple phone lines and have them forwarded, you can screen calls, have certain calls sent straight to VM, use the Google number to dial out with or give out (if you don't want someone to have your real cell number), IM, etc etc.
 
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Thanks folks. With Youmail/Google Voice, I'd have to port my phone number over to them right? I have to look into that solution some more...

No reason to port your number (whatever that means). My phone is set up to use Google Voice as its voicemail inbox, my number didn't change (although I do use the secondary GV number as a local number and for conference calling). It's about the most painless experience I've ever had dramatically altering the functionality of a Verizon phone.
 
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My understanding is that Google currently does not let you port your number to them, you set up a separate number through which calls can be funneled to and from your other phones (mobile, home, work, etc.).

I believe that one aspect of this is that since the Google number is not "in network" or part of your Family plan you have to use airtime minutes for call that might otherwise be free. This applies for both people calling you via your Google number and you calling out though your Google number or to check voice mail. If you have 'Friends and Family' or something like that where you can include the Google number among those listed then that can address this.

If you call someone direct rather than through the Google Voice app then that may also address the "in network" aspect but then you have the scenario of effectively having two mobile numbers that others may have to address, your 'direct' number and your Google number.

Since I have been giving my cell number to clients, business associates and friends for some years it was not real practical for me to implement a new number. In addition, we typically have a large number of minutes each month that are currently in-network or within plan, with Google Voice we might have to bump up to a higher airtime Family Plan to cover those. As a result, I didn't see Google Voice as a good option for me and chose to pay for Visual Voicemail. So far have been quite happy with it, but your situation may differ.
 
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I'm using Youmail on my Droid-X.

It intercepts calles when going to voicemail, Greets the user using their contact information
"hello Crystal, Justin is not available right now" etc. Can access it from any computer or your phone with their visual voicemail app etc.

I'm curious if GV does all of those things or if there is really any incentive for me to switch.

I don't think the transcripting is free with youmail, but I do like the custom greetings.
 
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