I Got My Google Voice - For Free - And Not Sure it Works for Me!

I Got My Google Voice - For Free - And Not Sure it Works for Me! I recieved my much vaunted Google Voice activation notice last night.  I was now at the Front of the Que!  This morning I excitedly set up my account.  I must tell you it is not what I expected.

I thought Google Voice would be something like Skype, allowing me to make internet phone calls.  I did get to pick out a Custom Phone Number: 925-456-Gene.  The idea is for me to give this Google Voice number out to everyone and when they call this Google Voice number all my phones ring (the ones I want); office, home, cell, etc.  . . .  Currently I use only my cell phone for work, so all the calls I get already go where I want.  I do use my home phone with blocked ID for some outgoing calls.  I thought about combining Google Voice with Skype, but Skype charges for phone calls that are not internet to internet.  Not a really good business solution. 

Google Voice a lot of cool tools for Voice Mail, Caller ID, Getting Text and E-mail transcripts of VM, and recording calls.  There is a Google Voice Widget that you can use on your web site and blog to allow people to click and call you direct for free, but it is rather clumsy.  As the caller I have to enter my name and number and click the button; it then dials the callers phone and then when the caller picks up it connects them to me.  By the time you do this you might as well call yourself on the phone.  What would be cool is allowing them to call me over the internet (This may be coming with Google Voice).  The other problem with the Widget is it does not work on my AR Blog and I cannot install it on my outside Blog.  Google Voice also allows me to connect through google and call in the US for free - So what most of us have this with our existing phones. 

I looked at things that may be coming from Google Voice.  This includes porting numbers in, but nothing about porting numbers out.  I am reluctant to build a business around a number I do not own and cannot move. 

Google is a great company and I am not going to complain about Free Stuff.  I suspect in the future Google Voice will be something I will be using, especially as new tools and options are added.  Google Voice may work for you now, depending on your current needs.

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