I get a bit nutty about Google products so when I heard about Google Voice, It was a chance for me to check out the features and the user interface. Here’s an inside view of Google voice starting from my invite.
Here’s my invite through my email. I have to click on the invitation and it takes me to the next page. This following page gives you the option of using an existing number or get a new number. I wanted a extra number so I picked the choice on the right.
After picking “Get a Google number”, the next step was for me to choose a new number. First step offers me to get a number from a location or have a word in the phone number. I tested out the new number with the word “SEO” and had the following results. This took me the longest time to pick one! I think it took me more than 30 minutes to pick one. haha.
Once I register a number, I get a welcome e-mail from Google. An easy instruction is included in the e-mail. The how to explains the basic features and links to the google voice blog, help center and forums.
If you want video tutorial you can check out their page which looks like below:
I purchased $10 worth of credits to call international by pressing the “Add Credit” button on the left. I then checked the “Rates” to see how much I’ll be paying for my call. Check International Rates: http://mockurl.com/?1dc8c
Also, It gives you the history of where you called and how much it cost for each call. I think this is cheaper than more carriers but it’s not as cheap as the Asian calling cards.
Here’s the setting area where you have a handful of features to control.
Here’s a cool widget feature where you can post a widget on a blog. The reader of your website of blog can call you by clicking on the widget. I don’t think I would put this on my blog but I’m sure there are ways people will try to use this feature for their business. You should read the terms of service carefully before you use it for profit use.
Use Example for business: A dentist has a website then has this call button. This would be a great way for someone to make an appointment without a hassle. Click the widget and Google Voice call you then connect you with the dentist office. Great for making appointments and asking questions in the future!
I played around with it for about 10 minutes and made my first call to my friend in Asia. It sounds clear and I loved the idea of a mobile phone being voip. Not only that, others can reach you at a different number than the one you have now. Maybe even a great idea to give out your Google Voice numbers to strangers and have them direct their messages through our automated answering machine.
With Google Voice you can call anywhere in the U.S for free. I personally have an unlimited plan for my mobile carrier so it seems a bit pointless. If your paying for a landline or have a carrier that doesn’t charge you for incoming calls this might be for you, but you would need the data plan so the Google Voice Mobile Application can read you account online.
Google Voice also offers a free SMS text messaging which I’ve been using to text international. I saved over $30-$50 a month just from having this feature. That comes out to at least $360 a year in saving.
Some other feature they offer
-Voicemail
-Your calling history
-Call Blocking
-Call ID if you have them on your phone list
-Voice Transcription (You can turn your voice message into text message)
-Call Transition (Migrating from one phone to another in the middle of a call)
Google Voice will definitely change the communication industry but is it useless? How soon will it be until the other voip catch on? From what I read Vonage already has an application which they will release for Blackberry and iPhones.
It’s great to see the VOIP and Wireless Communication to come together. I love when innovation is at it’s best, but what can this feature really offer? Is it here to stay? or will the major phone companies ban this idea from their phones? What do you think?
Tags: google phone, google voice, google voip
