Google Voice includes SMS! (The old GrandCentral)

02840 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 08:28 AM

I've been using GC on my Touch Pro through Opera for a while now, but now GrandCentral is going to be Google Voice. And the really good news, looks like it will now do SMS as well!

https://www.google.com/voice/about#

Quote:

Google number - One number for all your calls and SMS

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

A few more details on the new stuff:

1. Transcriptions: Now, in addition to being able to listen to your voicemail messages, you can choose to have your new voicemails automatically transcribed. You'll see these transcriptions in your inbox and will be able to search for voicemails. Transcriptions are also included in email and SMS notifications. They are fully automated, so they aren't perfect, but we'll be working to improve this in the future.

2. SMS support: When somebody sends an SMS to your Google Voice number, that SMS will be relayed to each of your forwarding cell phones and stored in your inbox. You can reply from your computer or from any of your mobile phones and the conversation will be saved in your inbox. You'll be able to read through the conversation thread and search for past messages.

3. Conference calling: If you want to talk to more than one person at once, just tell everyone to call you on your Google number. When you get a call waiting notification, you will have the option to press 5 to add them to your existing call.

I still can't find any invite links on my account, but new signups look to be coming very soon...

Quote:

When can I sign up?
We expect to have the service ready for new users in a matter of weeks, and are focused on opening it as soon as possible.

What if I reserved a number on the GrandCentral site before?
We will be emailing you when Google Voice is open to the public to sign up for the service.

How much does it cost?
The service is free.

What do I do if I am already a GrandCentral user?
To upgrade to Google Voice, sign in to your GrandCentral account and follow the instructions at the top of your inbox.

epitaphromance · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 08:31 AM

this looks pretty cool

rgildoss · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 09:18 AM

i have it as well ..i dont think they are yet excepting anyone new ...i had heard that they were going to charge for service ..not sure if that is still the case. If they do charge i will be closing mine ...i do like but i like it free ..LOL

**darren.wlsn1** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgildoss

i have it as well ..i dont think they are yet excepting anyone new ...i had heard that they were going to charge for service ..not sure if that is still the case. If they do charge i will be closing mine ...i do like but i like it free ..LOL

the op says its free, did ya read that part?

pdx77 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:46 AM

I've been a Grand Central user for awhile now, can't wait to get my invite to migrate over to Google Voice, has anyone gotten their invites yet?

**chronster** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 11:53 AM

i can pretty much guarantee you voicemails from people like my friend Carlos will be a bunch of gobbally guke. His accent is really thick.

I'd get a text message like "Heelo, eevon? eets me Carlawce. Me and Errik weel be gewing to dee bar toni. Meet us there eewkay? Later bradwer"

**MoonZ*BabysH** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 12:07 PM

how does this compare to other services like it?

**CozBoogie** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 01:09 PM

Moved to the Software Forum.

late,
Coz

thestick00 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 01:18 PM

This would be pretty awesome if it is in fact free.

**chronster** · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestick00

This would be pretty awesome if it is in fact free.

yes but still the question remains, what would get sent for inaudible messages? You know how many times I get voicemails that are just epic farts from my friends? Would I get a text message saying "New voicemail from Matt: FBBLLTLFBFBLLTTTBBT"