Google Voice or Something Else?

[StarFalls]

I am trying to figure out how to give out a number (or something) to receive/make calls and texts without revealing my real cell number/only phone number, and would like a way to block if necessary. At present I'd probably mainly use it for dating or lesser known acquaintances.

1) Am I right in that Google Voice is probably the best way to do this if want to give an actual number and it look like a phone to others? How good is Skype for voice calls/messaging? Any alternatives or other handy call/messaging/etc. apps I might not have thought of but might like? Ie, anything a lot of people might have (or be able to get) and would be seen as acceptable for communication for voice and/or text that wouldn't give out my real cell number.

2) I don't currently have my phone linked to a Google account--been holding off until I decide on this! I generally try to keep accounts for different things separate, but if I try/use GV not sure how I'd want to set things up? Which would be better/cause less trouble in the future: One account for both Market (well, 'Play') and GV, or separate? Would both accounts be linked somehow since they'd be both linked to the phone? If set up GV first that would make that email the 'main' email for the Market/phone, right? Does GV play nice with using a different account than the main? What if wanted to switch the account GV was with sometime in the future? Ie, will separate accounts mean more or less (or same) type/number of issues?

Not sure if information is needed, but my phone is fairly low-end, running stock Gingerbread, and no data plan, just wifi + cell.

 

[IOWA]

I am trying to figure out how to give out a number (or something) to receive/make calls and texts without revealing my real cell number/only phone number, and would like a way to block if necessary. At present I'd probably mainly use it for dating or lesser known acquaintances.

1) Am I right in that Google Voice is probably the best way to do this if want to give an actual number and it look like a phone to others? How good is Skype for voice calls/messaging? Any alternatives or other handy call/messaging/etc. apps I might not have thought of but might like? Ie, anything a lot of people might have (or be able to get) and would be seen as acceptable for communication for voice and/or text that wouldn't give out my real cell number.

2) I don't currently have my phone linked to a Google account--been holding off until I decide on this! I generally try to keep accounts for different things separate, but if I try/use GV not sure how I'd want to set things up? Which would be better/cause less trouble in the future: One account for both Market (well, 'Play') and GV, or separate? Would both accounts be linked somehow since they'd be both linked to the phone? If set up GV first that would make that email the 'main' email for the Market/phone, right? Does GV play nice with using a different account than the main? What if wanted to switch the account GV was with sometime in the future? Ie, will separate accounts mean more or less (or same) type/number of issues?

Not sure if information is needed, but my phone is fairly low-end, running stock Gingerbread, and no data plan, just wifi + cell.

I'd say Google Voice is the way to go. It allows you to have two lines on your phone, a second line for FREE SMS, and has a do not disturb function to turn off the number when you don't want to be bothered, but not affect anything else (including your primary line) on your phone. Give it a shot.

 

[Clementine_3]

Not sure what you are shooting for with the second part but you can have multiple Gmails and GV is connected to that. So, in theory, you could have one GMail for your phone and one for GV BUT you would have to use your phone Gmail to install the GV app from Play/market. You could sign into it with a different Gmail address though.
I will second that it would be a great tool for what you want to do though, love me some GV!