Skip to Content

AOL Tech

Cell Phones, Google, Webware

Google Voice Launches Today


Google has a vast catalog of wonderful, or at least potentially wonderful, applications. Unfortunately, for every top-notch, constantly-updating product like Gmail or Google Docs, there are plenty of others languishing in desperate need of attention, like Google Talk. But if there was one product that we thought most desperately needed attention, it was GrandCentral.

GrandCentral was an online phone service Google purchased a couple of years ago. Users signed up and received a free phone number. Calls to this number could be set to ring any of your pre-existing phones, like a home or cell phone, and new numbers could be added as needed. This meant that, in theory, your GrandCentral number would be the last phone number you'd ever need to give out. But, the service went largely untouched after Google bought it. Today, Google is finally trying to make good on the promise of the service by launching Google Voice.

Google Voice is essentially GrandCentral by another name, but with some new, very welcome features. It seems that Google Voice is designed to work with your Google Contacts (though we're still waiting for access to the service to confirm this), so there should be no need to create a separate address book. Using groups created in Contacts, you will be able to set your Google Voice number to send different callers to different phones (for example, when a coworker calls, your office line and cell phone will ring, but not your home phone).

All calls, and voicemails, will be cataloged online for your search and recovery, and Google will even transcribe voicemails so that you can read them. Google Voice also carries over other great GrandCentral features, including the ability to record calls with the press of a button (hit '4' to start and stop recording while on a call) and call switching (if you're on your house phone but on your way out the door, you can hit '*' and switch the call to your cell phone without skipping a beat).

Google has added some new features, too, though. Via a Web browser, you will be able to send and receive text messages (also archived online) and place calls from your Google Voice number. Alternatively, you can do the same by calling your Google Number from any phone and pressing '2.'

We've been big fans of GrandCentral since its launch in 2005, but have grown frustrated with the lack of updates. It should be no surprise, then, that we are very excited about this new launch and can't wait to get a hands-on with the service. If you want to see the complete list of features, check out the About Google Voice page.

Google Voice has competitors in services like jaxtr and RingCentral, and some features are available from standalone products like SimulScribe, and Skype. But, unlike those services, Google Voice is (at least for now) completely free.

So are you a GrandCentral customer? Are you seeing your Google Voice invite? What do you think of it? [From: Official Google Blog]

Related Links:

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Switched Video

Follow Switched on Twitter

Deals of the Day

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

  • Home Audio Reviews
  • Cell Phone Reviews

    8.7 out of 10

    SignalBoost Mobile Professional Amplifier Kit
    The Mobile Professional Amplifier delivers a powerful signal boost to your cell phone. Also, it offers a compact design and easy setup. Full Review

    8.6 out of 10

    Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
    The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review

    8.3 out of 10

    LG VX6000 (Verizon Wireless)
    Compact and stylish; impressive battery life; solid audio quality; sharp color screen; built-in camera; USB ready; affordable. Full Review

  • Digital Camera Reviews

    9.3 out of 10

    Canon EOS 1D Mark III
    Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review

    9.3 out of 10

    Nikon D3 (body only)
    Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review

    9.0 out of 10

    Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
    Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review

  • Desktop Reviews

    8.9 out of 10

    Velocity Micro Edge Z30 (Intel Core i7)
    Best value among midrange gaming PCs; Velocity Micro's consistently high build quality; compact case makes few sacrifices; second graphics card slot previously uncommon at this price. Full Review

    8.5 out of 10

    Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
    A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review

    8.4 out of 10

    Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
    One of the fastest PCs we've tested; a PCI Express RAID card helps media encoding performance; typically immaculate Velocity Micro assembly; strong, three-year warranty. Full Review

Featured Galleries

Nissan Land Glider
Vintage Keyboards
Retro Computer Logos
Vintage Computer Festival
Motorola CLIQ
iPod touch
iTunes 9
Video iPod Nano
The Beatles: Rock Band

 

Switched Desktop

Get the New Switched Desktop

Latest tech news, Switched mail, and more.

AOL Tech Network

Resources

Autoblog

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Urlesque

Fanhouse Main

WalletPop

Gadling