Google Voice Released To Everyone (VIDEO)

Google Voice, previously available by invitation only, has been made open to all users.

Google announced the Google Voice release with a post on its official blog:

A little over a year ago, we released an early preview of Google Voice, our web-based platform for managing your communications. We introduced one number to ring all your phones, voicemail that works like email, free calls and text messages to the U.S. and Canada, low-priced international calls and more--the only catch was you had to request and receive an invite to try it out. Today, after lots of testing and tweaking, we're excited to open up Google Voice to the public, no invitation required.

Google Voice, a free web service, offers users a wide variety of features. Sign up and Google will give you a new number which you can use to call and text message for free within the US and Canada (and at a cheaper rate internationally); have calls forwarded to multiple lines (think mobile phone and landlines); get transcribed voicemail messages; place conference calls; and more.

Learn about more Google Voice features in the video below.

WATCH:

Comments

[Jesse P. Steinberg]

11:07 PM on 06/23/2010

Great service. I am happy I was one of the people who were using before it went public. Plus its even better, being one of the few people in Canada able to use it.

Its great being able to just hand out a # to someone and when they call, just block them from calling.

Unlimited SMS (Canada / US / Mexico) for free awesome.

[wilray]

03:23 AM on 06/24/2010

I finally blocked someone. I like the different choices that you have in blocking someone. However, I left it at default where the caller gets the standard service disconnection message. It sounds just like the regular phone company's message.

[JasonMcl]

04:11 PM on 06/23/2010

People should know though, that Google Voice by itself cannot replace your regular phone service.

Google voice gives you a number that can forward to any kind of phone you could think of in multiple amounts. It doesn't allow you to make calls yet but you can connect skype to your google number.

So yes, as long as you have wifi or a data plan you will indeed have unlimited free calling to the US.

The voicemail and threaded SMS from any PC are also very nice bonuses.

[wilray]

03:14 AM on 06/24/2010

I am not tain why you would need to connect skype to your Google Voice. It is true that GV requires that you actually requires that you have established phone service. I however do make phone calls from the GV caller. There is also a Chrome extension that allows you to dial direct from web pages. If there is a phone number on the page you will see a little telephone icon; click on it and the GV dialer will take over. You may also make reduced rate international call from the U.S. via GV. GV is also connected with Gizmo5, which I think is a Skype alternative, and I am not certain if it is open to the public at this time.

[JasonMcl]

06:06 AM on 06/24/2010

Ahhhhhhhh. I knew you could use Fring or the free Skype but I was unaware of this GV dialer til' now. It's not made by Google but by all accounts it works wonderfully, thanks wilray!

[Democommon Sense]

03:45 PM on 06/23/2010

Very promising service. The transcribing blows compared to other companies like Voice2text. Which I sold while I was at Alltel and was impressive. So I hope they work out the kinks in that otherwise a great service.

[wilray]

03:20 AM on 06/24/2010

The transcription seems to have gotten worse as of late. However, since I have the voice message, it's not that big a deal to me. However, the transcription works best when the caller speaks well, enunciates clearly, and avoids slang. Although, I am able to understand my slurry speech, slangy, low talking friends, the transcription becomes incomprehensible.

[Sarran S.JAY]

11:24 AM on 06/23/2010

WHat??? My number still gets a recording to try back another all circuits are busy and now they're opening it to everyone!!! BAd call!

[JasonMcl]

01:41 AM on 06/23/2010

Good stuff, too bad I just got my invite a week ago :P
Maybe they will open up Gizmo5 again!

[planetjeffy]

12:55 AM on 06/23/2010

I've been using GV since I got my Android phone. I'm getting ready to cut my plan to the least amount of minutes allowed. The voicemail to text feature is nice, if somewhat inaccurate. I also use it for international calling from my cell phone, replacing skype.

[huffponewbie]

05:59 PM on 06/22/2010

Does this eliminate the need to pay for texting on smartphones?

[wilray]

07:32 PM on 06/22/2010

I have been with Google voice since it was Grand Central, and yes it is the best thing since sliced bread. I don't have a smart phone. However, you interface with Google voice through your browser. If you give out you GV number, you can receive text messages at that number. If you don't want to be charged for text messages ( an this works for dumb phones like mine as well), here is what you do. You change the setting for your smartphone number so that GV will not forward text messages to it. It's is important to do this because when you identify a phone number as a mobile number GV will default to forwarding SMS messages. So would you access GV via your browser or if your phone has an apt for it. GV doesn't charge for text message and you can read and send them from it's interface.

[ilovecandy]

05:41 PM on 06/22/2010

I've already been using it. It's a great tool to screen calls and a great number to give certain contacts.
I also used it for business when I was in it, and when I didn't have long distance with my local phone provider. I'd call long distance through the google voice number and didn't get charged again.