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SALT LAKE CITY — Within six months of its launch in 2009, Google Voice had 1.4 million subscribers. While Google has not released recent usage reports, it is estimated by some that more than 3.5 million people use Google Voice each day.
Google Voice is a voice-over Internet protocol that also handles SMS, or text messaging. It is free to use, integrates with all Gmail accounts, has its own Web page and is available on most smartphones — iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone. It can also be used with any landline or standard cellphone.
Once you sign up for Google Voice there are two ways to get started: one is to get a new number assigned to your Voice account (this is free), and the other is to port a number you already use to Google Voice. This second option is not for most people, and sometimes costs a few dollars. Most people will prefer an additional Google Voice number.
If you chose to create a new number for your Voice account, it can be set to forward calls to any existing phone number. SMS text messages can be forwarded to any phone number or email address, as well as pushed to any smartphone or tablet with the Google Voice app.
While Google Voice has its own extensive list of features, we have compiled a list of five reasons you may want to use Google Voice.
1. Set quiet hours
If you wish that no one would call you after 9:00 p.m., you can simply make it so. With Google Voice you can set quiet hours for each phone you have associated with your Voice number.
For example, you can have calls made to your Google Voice number ring on your cellphone in the morning, your office phone in the afternoon, and your cellphone again in the evening. And you can set it to forward all calls straight to voicemail after a certain hour.
To set quiet hours, click the gear icon, “Settings,” and select “Edit” for the phone you would like to have quiet hours. Then "show advanced settings" to specify the times.
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2. Keep your real phone number privateWith a separate number, just for Google Voice, you can choose to keep your actual phone number private.
This is especially useful for when you need to give out a phone number online. For example, when selling or buying on Craigslist or KSL Classifieds.
If you only use your Google Voice number online, you can quickly block anyone who misuses your number. Sometimes posting your number in online ads can generate unwanted calls and texts. These can be easily blocked or screened with Voice.
In this scenario, the ability to set quiet hours becomes useful. If you don't want someone calling late at night regarding the item you posted, just change your quiet hours settings in Google Voice.
If your family and friends have your real phone number they won't be affected.
3. Text and call without your phone
One advantage to using the Web interface for Google Voice is the ability to make and receive calls without a phone.
This feature can be very valuable if you are traveling somewhere and don't have cellphone signal, but do have an Internet connection. Or if you're traveling internationally but have turned off your cellphone to not incur roaming fees. Calls within the U.S. and Canada are free from Google Voice, and international calls are available at competitive prices.
- Conference call with up to four people
- Create different voicemail greetings for different callers, or groups
- Good international calling rates
- Create a number with any "local" area code
- Screen callers — listen to a caller leaving a voicemail and join in any time
- Call phones from within Gmail
- Temporarily set your number to "Do Not Disturb"
- Pick your own Google Voice number
Another use for using your computer to make calls or text is for the ease of typing with a keyboard. For long conversations via text messages, using a real, full-sized keyboard can make them more pleasant. And using your computer's speakers or headphones and mic can be more comfortable for long calls.
4. Better voicemail
Google Voice accounts come with free voicemail. What sets this voicemail apart from others is its speech-to-text service.
With the option to transcribe voicemail enabled Google Voice can send a transcript of new voicemail messages to your phone or email.
If using a computer or smartphone, voicemail can also be selectively played, paused, rewound, returned, forwarded, deleted and archived.
If you have chosen to keep your existing number and use Google Voice in addition to it, you can set your phone to forward missed calls to your Google Voice voicemail, thus benefiting from Voice's advanced voicemail features even while keeping your old number separate.
One can even chose to use Google Voice's voicemail for multiple phones, creating only one place to receive voicemail.
5. Stop spam calls and texts
Google maintains a list of numbers it knows are telemarketers and spammers. If Google Voice sees a number calling that it knows is spam, or a number that you have reported as spam, it will be sent to voicemail and the voicemail put in a spam folder.
Do you use Google Voice? Let us know why or why not in the comments.
Taylor Wilson is an IT professional at a small Utah company. He has a passion for helping people with technology. Email: taylorwilson@testonetwo.com Online: www.testonetwo.com or twitter.com/twil6
