I have had a Grand Central account since it’s inception. I was one of the lucky one’s who got to beta test the system and then keep the service. For me it’s meant that I’ve been able to maintain a business phone number, without having to pay for a second line. For those of you who enter sweepstakes, but don’t want to be bothered with telemarketing calls, this service can screen all of your calls for you and the telemarketer will NEVER know. With so many services (and right now they’re FREE) you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.
Grand Central has become Google Voice and is getting ready to accept new accounts. Invitations are beginning to be issued, although it seems that there is a current wait list.
Here are some of the features that Google Voice offers.
Google number – One number for all your calls and text
- Call screening – Announce and screen callers
- Listen in – Listen before taking a call
- Block calls – Keep unwanted callers at bay
- SMS – Send, receive, and store SMS
- Place calls – Call US numbers for free
- Taking calls – Answer on any of your phones
- Phone routing – Phones ring based on who calls
- Forwarding phones – Add phones and decide which ring
Google voicemail – Voicemail as easy as email, with transcripts
- Voicemail transcripts – Read what your voicemail says
- Listen to voicemail – Check online or from your phone
- Notifications – Receive voicemails via email or SMS
- Personalize greeting – Vary greetings by caller
- Share voicemail – Forward or download voicemails
Voice features – More cool things you can do with Google Voice
- Conference calling – Join people into a single call
- Call record – Record calls and store them online
- Call switch – Switch phones during a call
- Mobile site – View your inbox from your mobile
- GOOG-411 – Check directory assistance
- Manage groups – Set preferences by group
As I said above, I LOVE the service (and I especially love that it’s FREE).
For more information about the service, you can go to About Google Voice
If you’d like to be invited when the Google Voice officially goes live simply leave your name and e-mail address Google Voice Invitation.I understand that it may take up to a month to get your invitation (as it is first come, first served), but it’s worth the wait.
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