Google Voice: get google voice mail or get a google number?

[nleahcim]

Hi - I requested a Google Voice invite ages ago but never got one. However, a friend of mine had some and just invited me. What I'm confused about is this: it seems you have to choose between two different kinds of accounts - one that gives you google voicemail, or one that gives you a google number. What confuses me is that people seem to talk about google voice like they have both google voicemail and a google number. What gives?

Also - any opinions on which I should sign up for? I'm thinking the google number because texting is so damn spendy.

Thanks!

[soundofclocks]

Its my understanding that having a Google Voice number comes with voicemail. At least I got the number and it came with voicemail. I even have it set up that my cell phone calls are forwarded to my GV number when the call goes unanswered so I have free visual voicemail.

[rledge21]

So if you get a GV account, you can choose to only use it for voicemail, or you can choose to get a #. Getting the # gives you access to everything.
I have my GV # forward to my cell - and give it out as my business number. I have my regular cell forward unanswered calls to GV so I can use the GV visual voicemail on my Droid.

[CA]

Hi - I requested a Google Voice invite ages ago but never got one. However, a friend of mine had some and just invited me. What I'm confused about is this: it seems you have to choose between two different kinds of accounts - one that gives you google voicemail, or one that gives you a google number. What confuses me is that people seem to talk about google voice like they have both google voicemail and a google number. What gives?

Also - any opinions on which I should sign up for? I'm thinking the google number because texting is so damn spendy.

Thanks!

Can you post the part that confuses you? Either they have changed things or your interpretation is way off.

[gijoe411]

The difference is the option with the number also gives you texting & calling from your gvoice account, so you can do those things from your computer, (and other neat things), IN ADDITION TO all the other cool stuff the number less option would give you.

The confusion most likely comes from the fact that since both options are free, why are they bothering to give me a choice, and just set me up with the number automatically, and give me all the features. They probably gave people a choice because they only have a limited number of phone numbers to give out. So if someone didnt want to make calls from their computer or things like that then they would give them the numberless option to save giving out phone numbers...

So to make the choice for you, get the one with the phone number.

A cool thing with making your phone number, they let you search for a new number by using words, so for instance if my name were kenny. I would search for a number with "kenny" in the number and came up with ##k-enn-y0##, it makes it really cool, and easy for people to remember.

[CA]

Na, haven't convined me yet! I've been using GV since it was GrandCentral, and It's always been about the 'One Number'! When you get GV you get a UI(URL) for your number that lets you text etc. Google 'Google Voice' and you'll see before this thread gets out of hand.

Google Voice
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"GrandCentral" redirects here. For other uses, see Grand Central.
Google Voice

Google Voice is a telecommunications service by Google[1] launched on 11 March 2009. The service provides a U.S. phone number, chosen by the user from available numbers in selected area codes, free of charge to each user account. Inbound calls to this number are forwarded to other phone numbers of the subscriber. Outbound calls may be placed to domestic and international destinations by dialing the Google Voice number or from a web-based application.[2] Inbound and outbound calls to U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) and Canada are free of charge.[3] International calls are billed according to a schedule posted on the Google Voice website.
The service is configured and maintained by the user in a web-based application, styled after Google's e-mail service, Gmail. Users must have an established U.S. telephone service to activate Google Voice. Users must configure this and optionally, additional phone numbers that ring simultaneously when the Google Voice number receives a call. The user may answer and receive the call on any of the ringing phones. Google Voice provides additional features such as voicemail, call history, conference calling, call screening, blocking of unwanted calls, and voice transcription to text of voicemail messages.[4] Received calls may be moved between configured telephones during a call.

Overview

Google Voice is only available for users in the United States.[5] Users may select a single U.S. phone number from various area codes. Incoming calls to the number may ring simultaneously any, all or none of the user's configured phones. Based on the calling number, or contact group (e.g., Family, Friends, Work), or on time of day (e.g., disabling a home phone during business hours and routing calls to mobile or business number), individual numbers may be configured to ring. The service also features centralized voicemail and indexable, automated voicemail transcription, accessible by PC or phone. Google Voice provides automatic blocking of known numbers, e.g., telemarketers, the ability to switch lines in mid-call, differentiated voice mail greetings based on caller, SMS forwarding, and call recording. Additionally, customers of Gizmo5, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) service vendor, may forward calls to their Gizmo service which may be answered using a free computer application (or a web application[6]) or forwarded to any GoogleTalk, Skype or other SIP service.
Similar in concept, free Personal Numbering services have been available in the UK since 1993. It is also similar to the AT&T True Connections 500 service offered in the 1990s. AT&T's service required the direct involvement of AT&T to change the phone number list, while the Google service is user configurable on the web application.
The voice of Google Voice belongs to actress/voiceover artist Laurie Burke.[2] Burke has been the voice of the system from the very beginning, when it was Grand Centra

l, and continues to record for the company as it grows in popularity.

[Mr-Glass]

The difference is the option with the number also gives you texting & calling from your gvoice account, so you can do those things from your computer, (and other neat things), IN ADDITION TO all the other cool stuff the number less option would give you.

The confusion most likely comes from the fact that since both options are free, why are they bothering to give me a choice, and just set me up with the number automatically, and give me all the features. They probably gave people a choice because they only have a limited number of phone numbers to give out. So if someone didnt want to make calls from their computer or things like that then they would give them the numberless option to save giving out phone numbers...

So to make the choice for you, get the one with the phone number.

A cool thing with making your phone number, they let you search for a new number by using words, so for instance if my name were kenny. I would search for a number with "kenny" in the number and came up with ##k-enn-y0##, it makes it really cool, and easy for people to remember.

Also if ##k-enn-y0## is not available - I recently changed my number from my old Grand Central number to make it match my actual cell number except for the middle three numbers ie - 310-xxx-5555 - easy to remember - also rolls off the tongue so you can give out that number if you really dont want to commit to your actual cell number...

[briareus]

Can you post the part that confuses you? Either they have changed things or your interpretation is way off.

It's the former:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

[CA]

It's the former:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

Ah, I see, those are part of Google's new features that are starting to roll out. Google calls them Extensions, or GVE for short. When did they add them, the video is a week old. Of course you know GV has been a cell forwarder for about a year now that works for several carriers, but no Telco's yet. A few VOIP providers will make announcements shortly. I am a tester so I can't go any further.

nleahcim

Hi - I requested a Google Voice invite ages ago but never got one. However, a friend of mine had some and just invited me. What I'm confused about is this: it seems you have to choose between two different kinds of accounts - one that gives you google voicemail, or one that gives you a google number. What confuses me is that people seem to talk about google voice like they have both google voicemail and a google number. What gives?

Also - any opinions on which I should sign up for? I'm thinking the google number because texting is so damn spendy.

Thanks!

With GV as a number you can set your cell's to forward to GV. Thats been available for about 6 months now and it works great except if you have the GV app on a capable phone notification lag, gut you still can get SMS and email notifications.

Even further with GV Android you can use your GV number as a CID on your cell phone(still pay though) and when people return your call they only know your GV, so you can then forward to a landline.

[CA]

Btw, GV invites are now on:
http://www.youtube.com/googlevoice#p/u

[jet757f]

Btw, GV invites are now on:
http://www.youtube.com/googlevoice#p/u

Im looking for a Google voicemail invite. Did not see one on the video?
Anyone know where I can get one?

[CA]

Im looking for a Google voicemail invite. Did not see one on the video?
Anyone know where I can get one?

Can you try again, and look in the top right hand corner for a button that say's "Request an invite" ?

[thesacrifice]

I chose the option not including the number originally, anyway to go back and get a number?