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Google Voice
March 16, 2010 | Permalink
The one thing common to most road warriors is that they tend to work in many different places. At various times they work at home, in an office, in their car and in hotel rooms. Staying in touch with friends, family and business associates can be a challenge.
Cell phones and internet-based email made this problem much simpler, but the ubiquitous Google has introduced a completely new solution for this age-old problem - Google Voice. Best of all, it’s free.
Initially launched in the spring of 2009, Google Voice integrates voice mail, phone service and e-mail. Once you get your account, you can control your calls in all sorts of new ways. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start with the basics.
At the moment, this service is available on an “invitation only” basis. But don’t worry. Anyone with a Gmail account can request an invitation. Once you are accepted, you are assigned a phone number and are ready to go. You will need to establish settings for incoming and outgoing calls. Here is where the fun starts.
Incoming calls-Some calls you want to answer wherever you are and others you want to avoid everywhere. Set calls from your best customer to ring both your office phone and cell phone. Really important calls can ring on all your phones. On the other hand, the annoying neighbor might go straight to voicemail. You can even set a voice mail greeting based on who is calling. A casual message for friends and a more formal greeting for customers.
Speaking of voicemail, Google Voice allows you to hear your messages on your phone or your computer. You can even read your voicemail. That’s right. Using voice recognition software, Google Voice converts your voice messages to text. You can receive these messages by email or text to your cell phone. One note of caution here. Given that voice recognition software still has some serious room to improve, it is likely that you will get a real laugh out of some of your messages.
Outgoing calls-The good news here is that your domestic calls are free. International calls are, according to Google, “just pennies a minute” depending on where you call.
You can make a Google Voice call from any phone. First, access the main number, confirm your account and make your call. Certain cell phone users can acquire apps that allow you to dial directly and still use the Google Voice account.
Texting-If you are a big texter, but hate the extra charges, this may be for you. Google Voice comes with a free SMS, short message service, that can handle both incoming and outgoing messages.
If you think this might be of interest, Google Voice has several interesting YouTube videos worth watching.
Just think how this might simplify your life. No more business card with four different phone numbers. No matter what phone you call from, you are properly identified on caller ID. You can be calling from your car, your office or your large comfortable room at any of the nearly 700 Extended Stay Hotels, and you will be in control of your telephonic life. And that is a pretty good feeling for any road warrior.
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Comments
I love Google Voice! But I don't believe it will help you much in those hotels where calls are routed through the hotel switchboard. You need to use Google's automated validation process for each new phone number in order to make calls, and that wouldn't work unless your room had its own unique (direct) ten-digit phone number.
Posted by: John | Mar 19, 2010 4:50:27 PM
Any response to using it in hotels? Obviously adding a pause extension dialing function would be helpful in this situation.
Posted by: Bud Raymond | Jul 24, 2010 7:55:30 PM
