GMail, GTalk, then came orkut, then came documents, then came super-duper cool email, then collaboration sites, Blog sites(though I don’t use them, but the first trial was on blogspot), Maps, Earth, Groups, Picasa(my fav. service), Youtube, Reader, The Chrome browser and last by no means the least – the SEARCH engine. I am not talking about the user experience and the ease of usage – after Apple, I think Microsoft, Google and Apple are the best in the business when it comes to thinking for the customers.

These people drive me crazy every time they announce something out of the whole world and Google Voice is something which made me crazy initially, then a lull and now again – that I vouched for posting it to the readers who are ignorant of this(there are many)

Google  Voice is a VOIP based free Internet service that links the phone numbers of it’s customers. Grab your first fancy number for free, as I did for mine 240-CHASE-08. Every additional change costs you $10 with certain buffer period in which the old number calls are routed to the new number, giving you enough time to update your friends with the change.

Unfortunately, this service is only available in US as of now, for all the carriers and area codes. We can select one single number and set it to ring any of the multiple phones that we own. As of now, its a luxury for me, since I have only one phone -but who the heck cares…I like using new gadgets and softwares. Few things which I liked in this service are

• One public number for multiple numbers – Great privacy
• Route which number to be buzzed based on your availability and connectivity with the internet
• Centralized voicemail – the feature I like the best in all the mobile phone service providers here
• Ability to store voicemails, phone conversations on the PC/Phone and internet
• Needless to say, the text messaging service that is free
• Conference calling made simpler – See this for more information
• Call any country at a relatively cheaper rate – 7 cents per minute is quite competitive rate for a good service..need to try out this feature some day when my calling cards to India expire.
• Biggest of ‘em all – Fancy number to suit your name/taste/whatever

Do subscribe for one and grab a quickie…its on invite and it might take one day or two for you to get the approval.

Kickstart your Google Voice adventure right now

Google here is my wish, make this available in India soon

PS: Weirdly enough, Apple Inc., has declined the iphone app for google voice.  Blame it on bloody business