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Google Voice Now Works WIth Existing Mobile Numbers
IP-192.com was one of several readers to note that Google Voice users can now utilize their existing mobile phone number for collecting voice messages instead of applying for a Google Voice number. From the post at the Google Voice blog: "Up until now, if you wanted to use Google Voice, you needed to choose a new number. Taking calls through your Google number allows us to offer features like call recording, call screening and getting text messages via email." Not all features (like conference calling) are available to those bringing their own number, but voice messages by email is my favorite feature.
Wake me up when Google voice is available outside the US.
Nobody should ever release anything that doesn't instantly work worldwide! Especially when it's free!!
Slightly disreputable, albeit gregarious
So, you don't get all the features if you port in an existing number. How ... lame. Completely killed my interest in this most recent development.
There's really no point to this new option -- it's just a stripped down 'lite' version of the existing service aimed at drawing in people who were scared off by the "you'll have to change your phone number" nonsense. There's absolutely no reason to choose this option when you sign up. If all you want are the voicemail features, sign up for a "full" account (with a new number), then add your existing phone and switch on voicemail handling. That's it.
Actually, this new option is even worse: once you set it up, you can't go back to your carrier's voicemail system. You're stuck with Google's whether you like it or not.
And by the way, it's not full number porting, you still keep the same carrier. Not yet at least -- Google says that's on the horizon.
Yes, there's an official signup page:
https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/
I used it, and had my invite within a week or two.
There is no -1 Disagree mod. Slashdot.org/faq defines mod options. USE IT.
Heck, I would even pay a small monthly fee, maybe a buck or two a month to port my existing cell phone number. This is a number I have had since cell phones became popular. I would gladly port it, cancel my current Verizon phone, and then shop for the best plan out there regardless of carrier. Google voice would free me to have a device and plan morph with the changes in my lifestyle over time.