Google Voice

Google Voice is Free. Free is Good!

This article was written by Gemini, the AI App by Google.

Getting Started with Google Voice: A Quick Guide

Google Voice is a versatile communication service that provides a free phone number for calls, texts, and voicemail, all managed online and accessible from various devices. Whether you want a separate number for business, manage calls across multiple devices, or simply take advantage of free calls within the US and Canada, Google Voice can be a useful tool. Here's a quick guide on how to get started:  

1. Setting Up Google Voice:

• Requirements: You need a Google account to use Google Voice.   
• Sign Up: Go to voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
• Choosing a Number: You'll be prompted to choose a Google Voice number. You can search by area code or city to find an available number you like.   
• Verification: Google will verify your existing phone number (landline or mobile). This links your Google Voice number to your existing phone, allowing calls to be forwarded and providing a way to reclaim your number if needed.   

2. Key Features and How to Use Them:

• Making Calls:
  • From the Web: Go to voice.google.com, click "Calls," enter the number, and click the call button.
  • From the App (iOS or Android): Open the Google Voice app, tap the "Calls" tab, and dial or select a contact.
• Sending Texts:
  • From the Web: Go to voice.google.com, click "Messages," select a contact or enter a number, and type your message.   
  • From the App: Open the Google Voice app, tap the "Messages" tab, and follow the same process.
• Voicemail:
  • Accessing Voicemail: Voicemails are transcribed (often with surprisingly good accuracy) and available both on the web and in the app. You can listen to the audio or read the transcription.   
  • Voicemail Settings: Customize your voicemail greeting within the settings.   
• Call Forwarding: Configure Google Voice to forward calls to your linked phones (mobile or landline). This ensures you never miss a call, even if you're not at your computer.   
• Do Not Disturb: Activate "Do Not Disturb" mode to silence notifications and send all calls directly to voicemail. This is useful for meetings or when you need uninterrupted time.   
• Linking Numbers: You can link multiple forwarding numbers to your Google Voice account.   

3. Important Considerations:

• Emergency Calls: Google Voice is generally not recommended for emergency calls. It's best to use your regular mobile or landline for these situations.
• International Calls: While calls to the US and Canada are typically free, international calls are billed at specific rates. Check the Google Voice website for current pricing.
• Availability: Google Voice is currently available in certain countries.   

Google Voice offers a convenient way to manage your communication. By following these simple steps, you can quickly set up your account and start taking advantage of its many features.   

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How I use Google Voice.  When I changed area codes I changed my phone number.   But I knew people would use the old phone number for years.  So I set up the phone number on Google Voice, and I also set it up so that when people call me I answer.  When they leave a voice mail it is turned into a Gmail, with both text and the recording. I listen to the message and return the call.

Other uses for a Google Voice number is when you are required to leave a phone number, but you really don't want all the telemarketing calls.  So I leave the Google Voice number with these folks.  I still get the message, but it is my easier and less distruptive to get an email of the call.

Another use of the Google Voice number is when I am driving and suddenly remember something that I should remember. I simple call the Google Voice number, and leave the  message.

Here is an example.

Hi, this is Craig hellinger calling my Google Voice number of 309-634-557. I can leave a short message on this on this voicemail and it will turn into a Gmail and to send it to me and it'll be both a reasonable approximation of the text of what I said and also an actual recording works pretty well, and it's a handy way for me to to leave a message to myself when I'm driving and I don't have time to stop and write it down. That's all folks

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