How to Use Google Voice

Google Voice is a powerful platform, and a great way to streamline your digital life. Voice is a convenient voicemail service that also creates a catchall phone number to ring multiple devices. It provides features you didn't even know you wanted, such as a way to send text messages from your computer or make a phone call from Gchat.

Getting Started

The service has existed in its current format since 2009, and users sign up through their existing Google accounts. If you don't already have a Google account, set one up. You can do it right on the Google Voice website. Once inside, you'll need to accept the terms of service, and choose to either create a new number or use an existing number.

Existing numbers: You can choose to import your old phone number to Google Voice or make an online-retrievable voicemail that also enables outbound calls. This will replace the voicemail system of your service provider, but be aware that it might not be available to all service providers. When you put in your voicemail number, Google Voice will let you know whether or not it supports your provider.

Create a new number: Choosing to create a new number will give you one number that can ring up to six phones at the same time. It's ideal for setting up an emergency number where you can be reached on your mobile, at home, or at the office. New numbers can be set up by area or zip code and depend on availability. For each number you add, Google provides a security access code to ensure the phone being added indeed belongs to you.

How to Use Google Voice

Now the fun begins. For every voicemail it receives, Google attempts a transcription. Depending on the clarity of the speaker, these transcriptions can range from frighteningly accurate to laughably wrong. Voice will forward the transcription to your email address and store it in your Google Voice inbox.

From the online platform, you can return the call by phone call or text. There are buttons for each under the message in the Google Voice interface. When returning by phone call, you choose which phone you want to ring. For example, if you set up both your office and your cellphone through Voice, a drop-down menu will appear allowing you to choose which number you're nearest?Google will place the call through that phone.

When using Google Voice to place calls, the number shows up on caller IDs as your Google Voice number. You can also block callers, forward voicemails, edit the transcription, or download messages in MP3 format. The option to record phone calls can be turned on (with a courtesy message letting those you're calling know, so that you comply with applicable laws).

All domestic calls are free, while international calls cost money depending on the country.

Texting

There are multiple ways to text via Google Voice. Any number marked "mobile" in your Google Voice forwarding can receive text messages to your Google Voice number. When you send back messages, they appear to the receiver as coming from your Google Voice number. Additionally, you can choose to respond via the Google Voice homepage and Gmail. For the former, simply click the Text button in the interface. For the latter, simply reply to the email in Gmail.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/how-to-use-google-voice-15613988?src=rss

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