Here Comes Google Voice

Finally Google announced beta release of Google voice. The service is old GrandCentral, which google accursed in July of 2007. Google voice will have new features other than what GrandCentral was having. And now, the service is available for existing GC customers only. But soon, everyone will be able to access this service. You can submit your email address so that you will get alert when the service is open for public.

Using this service, you can archive all your text messages and ofcource search  . Also you can make international calls cheaper. Screen calling ( announce and screen callers ), Listen in (listen before taking a call), Block calls, SMS, Place call ( all US calls are said to be free !), Taking call ( you can take all your numbers with one phone), Phone routing and Forwarding phone are the main features of Google number.

Voice mail features are countless. They include Voicemail transcripts where you can read what your voice message says. You can check voice messages from your mobile or online. You will get alerted by email or SMS when ever you receive a voice mail. And as most US phones, you can customize your welcome message. But here, you can customize voice message for each contact.

The special features of Voice includes conference calls, call recording, call switching, mobile site ( where you can check your inbox from mobile ) and GOOG-441 directory services. You can manage your contacts by adding groups which is now available in almost all Nokia phones.

You can see demo videos of all these features on Google Voice features page. Google already openedGoogle voice blog also at the same time where you can get updates on Google Voice. At present, there is only a post welcoming current GC customers and telling them how to move to Google voice.