Recently, I wrote my initial thoughts of Google Wave.  So, to dedicate a little more time to Google… I’m going to give a few thoughts about my experience so far with Google Voice. After using it for a little over a month, I have been impressed by how much I utilize it.

Need another number on your mobile??

One of my annoyances for some time has been that I can’t have multiple phone numbers on my mobile phone.  I wanted to be able to have a business number that was separate from my main mobile number.  For some odd reason, the cell providers have failed to add this feature.  Now, along comes Google Voice.  With Google Voice you can have this type of function.  Simply by forwarding your Voice number to your cell you have this functionality.  So people who call my business phone number can get directly connected to me on my mobile.  Ah… that’s nice…

Call Forwarding

As I described Google Voice can forward your calls.  What I didn’t mention, is that it can ring multiple numbers at the same time.  You can set it up to ring the 2 or 3 numbers that you most likely be available at during the day and your mobile at night.  You can also set it up to forward the call to other numbers while your on vacation or on a business trip.  To take it even a step further you can direct different callers to different numbers.  So, you can setup groups or even direct specific numbers to specific places.  So, you can have personal friends go straight to your mobile, while prospect and clients get directed to your Virtual Assistant.  There are many options that this feature provides.

Voicemail Transcription

There is a service that you get with Google Voice that will transcribe your messages for you.  So, when someone leaves a message you get a transcribed message that will appear in your inbox.  You can also have Voice forward the transcribed message to your email or to your mobile phone.  It is a cool feature… but it needs a little work.  This type of service is very complicated technically.  I would say that Google’s tool is right about 70% of the time.  Some of the messages you get are kind of humorous.  Anyway, nice try… but I wouldn’t depend on accuracy.

Call Logging

This is an awesome feature.  All incoming, outgoing, and missed calls are logged by the system.  The number (or contact name if set up), date, time, and duration are provided in the log.  In addition to this, you can write notes on each log.  The notes and logs are searchable.  This is a tremendous feature.  This gives you the ability to index your calls for future review and research.  Although it could be extended in the future, it is a great feature.

Call Recording

Voice gives you the ability to record incoming calls.  It notifies the person on the other end of the line that they are being recorded and then begins recording the call.  When the call is complete you receive an audio file of the call in your inbox.  A friend of mine has discussed utilizing this for podcast interviewing.  You can also use it for simple recording of discussions for note taking or transcription in the future.  Excellent feature.

Outbound Calling

Google Voice allows for unlimited domestic long distance for outbound calling.  This gives you the ability to call from your Voice number to anyone in the U.S. and Canada.  The caller ID shows as the Google Voice number.  The way this works is you tell Google Voice the phone number and it calls you and then connects the call.  I have not tried placing a call from my mobile phone into Google Voice and then dialing out but that is an option as well.  It is slightly quirky when doing it all from your mobile phone.  That said, it sounds like new mobile clients will smooth some of this out.  Look for the iPhone, Blackberry, and Android clients for more information about that.

How am I using it?

photo credit: TorleyWell, I’ll be honest when I first got into Google Voice I wasn’t sure what use I would have for it.  I already had a business number setup (via Skype).  That number could forward calls to my mobile.  Seemed good enough.  But, I decided to try Google Voice.  So I set up Google Voice to ring through to my Skype phone and mobile.  That solution works extremely well.  When someone calls, I pick up the phone and Google Voice tells me who is calling and I can accept or send to Voicemail.  When it goes to Voicemail, Google sends me a transcribed version of message via SMS.  So I can get a basic idea of who called and what they had to say.  Also, I utilize the logging features and the ability to attach notes to note what my discussion was about.  So far, I am quite happy with the solution.

Here’s a thought

Had a friend who mentioned this to me.  He has a phone where he can specify numbers that he can call unlimited (one of the circle options).  He set up his Google Voice number as one of the numbers.  So now any incoming call on his Google Voice number is free and outgoing as well.  Interesting way to game the system.  I’m sure at some point carriers will get wise to it… but hey it works now.

Grade

Google Voice is a pretty cool tool.  I think Google is really on to something with this one.  With some integration and some feature enhancements (such as multiple phone numbers and number portability) it will be a must have tool.  It is a very powerful tool for small businesses.  I would give good a strong A on this tool.  It needs some work but the initial version is very useful.  Great job Google.