Is there a reason to use google voice?

I’ve been using it for texting since I don’t have a cell phone. And various other things, like having a local number my family can call so they can reach me. I’m in a different state… so….

I only have one number, too, but I use Google Voice for my voicemail and for sending/receiving texts.

- You can check your voicemail on the app, either playing back the messages on your iPhone or reading voicemail transcriptions (which I admit haven’t been terribly accurate in the past).
– If you send/receive a text through that app, it’s free.
– You can also use it to make international calls for really low rates, which is useful for me.

@squirbel that makes sense..i have unlimited texting, and I rarely actually make phonecalls, lol. I’m searching for a reason to use google voice though, bc it is really cool.

@xxii does it replace your phone number though?

It does not replace your phone number; the google voice number just forwards to whatever phone you choose, be it mobile or landline.

@squirbel can I have have my phone number work as it always did and have a gv number as well?

Google Voice is a virtual phone number. That means you can give it to everyone and then when your physical phone number changes you just point your Google Voice number to the new phone number and nobody knows it changed since they’re using your Google Voice number. It’s also handy since they block spam phone calls and texts and you can block any number you want—so it’s great for people you are on the fence about giving your number to: business contacts and dating are perfect for Google Voice. No need to worry about stalker phone calls if you can just block them easily.

Yeah, I use it the way @timtrueman mentions – I give people my GV number because my phone number may change in the future and I don’t want to lose contact. Had enough of that during college.

@timtrueman so can I have 2 separate #‘s on my iphone? for example have my iphone work as it always did, original number, but also have a google voice #?

I also hear you can text from your computer and make calls..how does this work? I guess this is an advantage as well?

Only if you choose your iphone number as the forwarding number.

There’s an interface just like gmail…. or similar.

@squirbel so i give my gv # and my iphone will ring? is there any sort of delay? also, what happens to the people that contnue to call my old original #?

Yes.

Yes, there’s a bit of delay.

Nothing. They’ll reach your iphone the same old way.

Since the day I got an Android phone I’ve made the switch to Google Voice. I absolutely love it. I can text without a texting plan, get my voicemails transcribed, desktop notifications, and desktop client to text without your phone in hand. I find it incredibly handy. I won’t have to change phone numbers ever again, and if I ever get a landline phone I can set it to ring that phone when someone calls my cell.

Oh yeah, those are the reasons lol.

@J0E so my computer can tell me when i get a text?

@rguest Google Chrome has a Google Voice plugin which does exactly that, and you can reply to the text in your browser too.

@J0E will it work with safari?

@rguest Google Chrome.

Google voice works with Safari, but the Google Chrome addon j0e mentioned won’t for obvious reasons.

The browser version of google voice notifies of voicemails, texts, etc, and you can reply, call, and do everything there.

Yeah, the extension is for Google Chrome only. The site works anywhere, just go to www.google.com/voice.

When I’m at my computer, I use Google Voice as my phone to avoid using cell phone minutes

Yeah, I forgot about that. Like @jaytkay said, you can use gmail to talk to someone through your Google Voice number. It’s pretty damn awesome.

I don’t use google for my mail..I’m a mobileme user..does this make gv any less useful?

@rguest I don’t think your email address makes much difference, depending on how you use it.

If you want to use your computer speakers and microphone as a telephone with your Google Voice number, using Gmail chat makes it easier. But there are workarounds.

I would suggest just getting the GV number and start using it. There are bunch of different ways to use it, and they are a lot easier to grasp once you actually mess around with it.

I think you will find out quickly if you like or not.

last question. will I be able to recieve calls from my original number as well as from my google voice number?

Yes, you can receive calls from both numbers.

If you call my cell number – my cell phone rings.
If you call my GV number – my cell phone rings.

@jaytkay and if someone text’s my gv number? I get a text on my google voice?

@rguest If someone texts my GV number, I get it three ways, my cell phone, my email and my GV mailbox (which is viewed on line).

My favorite part is that you can record conversations and set certain numbers to hear “I’m sorry, this number has been disconnected” just like when it’s actually disconnected, instead of ringing or going to voicemail. Or you can set it so that work number can contact you but not family and friends, or vice versa… It just has a whole lot of personalization for each number and group so that you don’t have to deal with it.