Google Voice, what's the point?

[iPhoneMilk]

Someone please help me understand what the point is in using google voice?

I've never used it before, so please give me a short run down on the point/purpose.

Some people are saying something about it replaces your regular phone number and stuff...

 

[knickerbocker]

I don't understand Google Voice either.

 

[JoeFresco]

The point is that you could have one number to give to people permanently, no matter how many phones/numbers you really have. You can control whether all phones ring or it tries one phone and then calls another. You get transcriptions of voicemails texted/emailed to you as well as a web interface to listen to / manage calls.

The only thing that keeps me from using Google Voice more than just for voicemails is that I haven't figured out how Mobile2Mobile calls are handled. I want both for myself and the calling party to take advantage of M2M, and I suspect that isn't done with GV.

 

[tpriddy]

what the point is in using google voice?

Google Voice web page
voicemail transcription looks good​

YouTube - Google Voice - Voicemail transcripts

Free SMS, VVM, record calls, ring all my phones, ...

 

[CRPercodani]

If your carrier has one of the myfaves type of deals then you can put your GV # for one of them, then give all your contacts you GV # and when they call it will be unlimited. I use my GV strictly for visual voice mail, and for texting when I'm on the computer.

 

[pcwizpcwiz2]

I use it when selling things on Craigs list. I could then block a specific number, set it to go right to voicemail if need be. It makes me more comfortable giving out my number to strangers. Additionally the simultaneous ring feature is great because I can have it ring my work and cell at the same time.

Lets not forget about using it for free unlimited incoming/outgoing calls. You can set your GV number as a myfave then any calls made through GV are free. You can set GV to always show you GV number as the Caller ID and announce the calls when you answer then the GV incoming are free too.

SO many reasons why this is an awesome service.

 

[JoeC]

And if you really want to get creative, you can interface to a VOIP service like Gizmo and talk completely over VOIP

Gizmo limits incoming calls (for free) to 30 minutes.

The main point of GV is a call management solution. You never give out any specific phone # (cell, home) except for the GV number. GV rings them all to whatever phone numbers you have configured.

 

[Fadelight]

I use mine the same way pcwiz does. It is the perfect solution for limiting who has access to your phone number and who doesn't. Who is blocked, etc.

I also use mine in junction with You Mail.

 

[Juneau]

Great for international calls. Cheaper than a land line and I use my cell to call.

 

[JoeC]

I also use mine in junction with You Mail.

You know that you don't have to use You Mail anymore (unless you want to). Google Voice enabled the feature to use GV from your cell with no rings.

I closed my You Mail account!

 

[iPhoneMilk]

thanks for the info guys!!!

 

[Fadelight]

You know that you don't have to use You Mail anymore (unless you want to). Google Voice enabled the feature to use GV from your cell with no rings.

I closed my You Mail account!

Well, I don't use you mail for google voice. I have my voice account set up with a new phone number, so I still use You Mail to screen direct calls to my cell phone. I use Voice to screen calls to the additional phone number since, as you have just pointed out, it has nearly all of the same features.

There was also the option of using an existing number instead of a new one for google voice, but I wanted the new phone number.

 

[JoeC]

Well, I don't use you mail for google voice. I have my voice account set up with a new phone number, so I still use You Mail to screen direct calls to my cell phone. I use Voice to screen calls to the additional phone number since, as you have just pointed out, it has nearly all of the same features.

There was also the option of using an existing number instead of a new one for google voice, but I wanted the new phone number.

I believe that we do the same things... I have a new GV number, but my point is, you can set your cell's voicemail # to point to GV. You set up groups and custom greetings the same as You Mail. You get the best of both worlds. A single place for voicemail and single place for contacts.

If people call your GV number, it rings whatever it has setup to ring, just as you like it. But, now you can also use it for a voicemail service if people call your cell directly.

 

[Barbara]

Is it possible to use the gv number and your own number on the same phone? I mean can you allow the people you know to have your number and give the gv number to service people?

 

[Fadelight]

I believe that we do the same things... I have a new GV number, but my point is, you can set your cell's voicemail # to point to GV. You set up groups and custom greetings the same as You Mail. You get the best of both worlds. A single place for voicemail and single place for contacts.

If people call your GV number, it rings whatever it has setup to ring, just as you like it. But, now you can also use it for a voicemail service if people call your cell directly.

Wait... what? You can point your voice mail to google voice even if you elected to get a new number? I missed that part!! Time to go back to the FAQs and how-to's, I think. That would definitely make You Mail pointless. What's more, it would make it harder to check vm and stuff since I'll be getting a droid on Friday anyway.

 

[JoeC]

Yeah, this is a new feature that was added two weeks ago (or so) based on popular demand.

Most people that use GV have a mobile app for it. Therefore, they have no need to call it directly. So, Google enabled the ability for calls that come from one of your forwarded phones to directly enter the voicemail. Check it out...it is in the settings of GV.


Barbara, yes it is possible, and I use it that way. What's even better is that it forwards text messages too, not just calls.

 

[knickerbocker]

I signed up. I will give it a try.

 

[Barbara]

Yeah, this is a new feature that was added two weeks ago (or so) based on popular demand.

Most people that use GV have a mobile app for it. Therefore, they have no need to call it directly. So, Google enabled the ability for calls that come from one of your forwarded phones to directly enter the voicemail. Check it out...it is in the settings of GV.


Barbara, yes it is possible, and I use it that way. What's even better is that it forwards text messages too, not just calls.

Thanks Joe. I figured it out after I asked the question. I was looking at it backwards. I have signed up and actually had a TON of numbers to pick from! I was able to get one that is very close to my cell number. Good stuff!

 

[Fadelight]

Yeah, this is a new feature that was added two weeks ago (or so) based on popular demand.

Most people that use GV have a mobile app for it. Therefore, they have no need to call it directly. So, Google enabled the ability for calls that come from one of your forwarded phones to directly enter the voicemail. Check it out...it is in the settings of GV.

Wow... It was displayed as a link next to a completely different option, so I had overlooked it. Thank you so much for pointing that out!!

 

[sleemie]

And Verizon is gonna allow this so people can reduce their anytime minutes and chop texting from their plans? I know they're supposed to be "open" with their android phones, but they could lost a lot of dough this way. If I decide to get this phone I plan on getting the $20 a month unlimted texting, but if I can get google voice that would chop that off my plan.

 

[knickerbocker]

And Verizon is gonna allow this so people can reduce their anytime minutes and chop texting from their plans? I know they're supposed to be "open" with their android phones, but they could lost a lot of dough this way. If I decide to get this phone I plan on getting the $20 a month unlimted texting, but if I can get google voice that would chop that off my plan.

If you get this plan, you get the smartphone plan which I believe includes unlimited text and data.

 

[Grenade]

I'm still alittle confused, guess I have to go check out the google tutorials on this.

 

[Grenade]

I also dont see how so many people have this but google wont send me an e-mail!

 

[knickerbocker]

I also dont see how so many people have this but google wont send me an e-mail!

I got an invite from a friend. That is the easiest way to get in.

 

[punkzanyj]

Yeah, this is a new feature that was added two weeks ago (or so) based on popular demand.

Most people that use GV have a mobile app for it. Therefore, they have no need to call it directly. So, Google enabled the ability for calls that come from one of your forwarded phones to directly enter the voicemail. Check it out...it is in the settings of GV.


Barbara, yes it is possible, and I use it that way. What's even better is that it forwards text messages too, not just calls.

I may have to try that out again.
I had this elaborate setup to forward to GV a few months back. It was cool, except that it took 6-8 rings for GV to pick up. I was afraid people wouldn't wait that long to leave a voicemail.