Omnivorous Surfer

I'm probably way behind on this one, so it may not be new to you. Google Voice is available by invitation only at this point, but there is a link to request an invite on the website. This is not like Skype; you do not use it to make phone calls from your computer, but it is used with an existing phone. The web interface looks very much like the gmail window, and a mobile app is available for iPhone, Blackberry, an Android-powered phones.

The regular account, using Google Voice with an existing phone number, has a number of features. 1) Your voicemails will be transcribed to text and can be kept and searched in the same manner you do your emails. These can be viewed and listened to online or on a smart phone. 2) In addition you can set Google Voice up to send the transcribed voicemails to your email account. 3) Voice messages can be forwarded to others, just as you might with an email message. 4) You can set different greetings for individual callers. 5) You can use Google Voice to make inexpensive international calls.

It appears to me that most of the features which are added if you choose to have a Google phone number would be functional only with a smart phone, which I do not have or expect to have. If I did, I think I would choose this option. 1) A call to the Google number would ring all my phones or no phones or any phones I choose, based on the caller or time of day. 2) I could screen calls, listening to incoming voicemails without answering or before answering, just as I can do with my home answering machine. 3) I could record calls and make conference calls. 4) I could receive SMS text messages online, and reply to a text message as I would an email, with no charges for an outgoing text.

For more information, you might wish to view the videos Google has prepared.

I have requested an invite for regular Google voice to use with my existing number. It appears to me that most of the features for Google phone number would be functional only with a smart phone, which I do not have or expect to have. I have requested an invite and will post back on my experience if and when I am able to use it.