Learn How To Use Google Voice

Google Voice gives you one phone number for all your phones, voicemail as easy as email, and many calling features for free. I got my invitation last weekend and have been exploring its features for a few days. I've collected several mini-tutorial videos on many of the Google Voice features. Links to these short (60 sec or less) videos follow this brief overview of the service.


How To Use Google Voice

Placing Calls
Google Voice calls you on your phone and connects you to any US number for free. Call directly from your contacts list.

Taking Calls
Decide what phones ring and whether you answer when your Google number is called.

Call Screening
Know who's calling and screen unknown callers before you answer.

ListenIn
Hear why someone is calling before you decide whether to take the call.

Voicemail Transcripts
Voicemails are automatically transcribed to text and stored in your inbox. You can also have them sent to you via email and/or SMS.

Listen to or Read Voicemail
Voicemail as easy as email. View and listen to voicemail online or from your phone.

Share Voicemail
Forward a voicemail via email, embed it in a website, or download a copy to your computer.

SMS Messages
Receive and send SMS and store a copy of all your SMS in your online inbox.

Conference Calling
Join multiple people into a single conference call.

Phone Switching
Switch phones in the middle of a call.

Assigning Phones
Add and update the phones that ring when your Google number is called.

Phone Routing
Have all, some or none of your phones ring depending on who calls your Google number.

Managing Groups
Add individuals to groups and set call preferences by group.

GOOG-411
Connect to GOOG-411 directory assistance by calling your own Google number and choosing option 5.

Call Recording
Record whole or parts of calls on the fly and access recordings online.

Block Calls
Unwanted callers wont be able to reach you anymore.

Automated Political Campaign Calls

I got some of these in the spring at primary election time. I found them very annoying. In fact, annoying to the point that I pretty much made up my mind to NOT vote for the candidates related to these calls.

Apparently others have found them equally annoying ...

States try to pull plug on 'robo-calls' - USATODAY.com

Drivers on Cells

You know it's true. People driving while on the cell phone are becoming an even greater problem. You don't need any professional studies to tell you that. All you need do is look around while you're in traffic.

Now, it seems, they're not only jeopardizing my safety, but they're wasting my time, too.

Study: Drivers on Cells Clog Traffic - TIME

A Safe Give-out Phone Number

Ring-To Number gives you a way to let people call you directly without giving your actual phone number!

Callers dial the anonymous phone number and shortcode, and the call rings on the phone of your choice. Callers will not know your actual phone number when calling via your Ring-To number.

The FREE service gives you a non-local number and a shortcode. For $5 per month you can get a local number with no shortcode required.

Quick, Easy, Free Reverse Phone Lookup

Quick, easy, free! The only way it would be better is if it were useful, too. It is. Simply enter the area code and the phone number, click Find, and have the caller's name and address in seconds. You can also view a map of the caller's location.

Sullr : USA
Argentina, Belgium, Italy, and France are currently available, too.

Gettin' Their Groove On

I captured these wild dancers with my phone this morning. I think they're hilarious!



They're outside the new Ashley Home Furniture Store in Altoona for the Grand Opening.

If you want to ____, press 5.

If you want to talk to a human (what a novel idea), the GetHuman 500 database will tell you how.

gethuman.com 500 database

Disposable Phone Numbers

Recently I published a post about temporary, disposable email addresses. A similar service is now available for phone numbers.

We've all been reluctant to give out our phone number such as in an ad or to a short-term or unknown contact. Full of useful features, Numbr gives you the option to use a disposable number that will expire after a time period you specify. And, it's FREE!

You can also get a temporary number by calling (415) 234-5678