By When we heard that GrandCentral was becoming Google Voice, we were nothing short of absolutely excited, as were many of you. But in Phandroid Podcast: Episode 2, we questioned how many people would adopt Google Voice if it meant having to be issued a new phone number to use the service. That hassle would have been a huge barrier for Google to overcome. Would have been.
The Google Voice Help page has this to say:
Although you can’t currently port your existing number to Google Voice, we hope to offer this option in the near future. Please tell us if this is a feature you’d like to see in Google Voice.
Pure awesomeness. Make sure you click on that “tell us” link above and click “Suggest It” next to “Port a number to Google Voice”. I would absolutely LOVE to have Google Voice but would be hesitant about getting a new number. Now that I know it is possible, there isn’t a solitary chance that I will use Google Voice until I can port my existing number for use as my main contacting number. Then, depending on who was calling me, etc… it would forward to the appropriate phone:
Further reassurance comes with the fact the fact that if you DID have Google Voice and wanted to STOP using it, you could take your number with you to another provider. From Google Voice Help:
We’re excited to count you among our users, and we want to continue to earn your business every day. We don’t lock you into minimum commitment contracts, charge you activation fees, or make it impossible for you to leave. If you want to move to another service provider and take your Google number with you, you can do so at any time.
When it was initially announced, I was excited. Now, I’m kind of obsessed. God, if you are reading this, please send someone down here to bring me a Google Voice Beta Invite. And tell Santa I want an Android Netbook for Christmas. I’ve been a good boy.
UPDATE: A member in #androidforums IRC channel had this to say to me:
<Swizzy> Just read your post, trigatch4. I see that you voted for number porting, but not for the Android app. FOR SHAME
I overlooked it. EVERYBODY VOTE FOR THIS TOO!
[Via Lifehacker]
Yup. I said I want to port my mobile number to them, play and sort voice mails directly in gmail, and have an android application.
And… imagine this:
Google Voice on your netbook
Google Voice on your Android PDA (carried along with your novatel mifi)
Google Voice on your Android house phone (forget the product that was at CES)
Google Voice on your home desktop
Google Voice on your work desktop
Able to take calls, transfer calls, etc. among all of those places. No need for a voice or messaging plan.
There is already a Google Voice app. It’s called GV and while not developed by Google, it it very well done and being updated all the time.
The same developer also made a Grand Central app called G1 central.
This is a fantastic idea, the funny thing is I like my Google Voice number better then my Tmobile number. Hahaha.
I hear God has Santa on speed dial..
I have had Google Voice for 2 weeks now and I love it. If you are interested in seeing it in action I just posted a walkthrough / review to my blog at techietalker.com
Keep up the great posts!!
checkout GVdialer http://www.gvdialer.com – The first mobile dialer for Google Voice, supporting iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Microsoft, Symbian.
Use Google Voice for your mobile phone and enjoy these great features:
One number – Present your Google number as your Caller ID on outgoing mobile calls. Keep your mobile number private & get people used to your Google number.
Simple calling – Dial directly from your phone’s contacts, speed dial, call log or keypad, and GVdialer will automatically get you connected using Google Voice. When GVdialer is installed, just dial and GVdialer takes care of the rest.
Google Voice access – get instant access to your Google Voice features like Voice mail, Inbox, GOOG-411
Customizable – GVdialer gives you the flexibility to configure when GV would be use – e.g. all calls, international calls, or decide on each and every call
more at: http://www.gvdialer.com
*** GVdialer is not a Google™ service
They’ve had that option for quite some time (years!) In the meantime, the best way to control your number and use Google Voice is to port your number to NumberGarage. That’s what I do and it works like a charm.
I assume that they will offer this service only if and when it’s going to be a paid service. Until then you can use http://parkmyphone.com and forward your calls to Google Voice.
I second @Jon Henshaw. NumberGarage works like a charm.
voicestick.com – can port your number. Costs $2.99 per month plus usage for the Next2Nothing plan. Usage is per minute – and costs for minutes both incoming and the forwarded call. So a 2 minute call would cost 4 minutes. Current per minute cost for US calls is 1.53 cents. Compared to the $10 per month one would have to receive 228 minutes of forwarded calls to break even.
Well when the Google comes out with their free porting and parking service, the companies mentioned here (who charge) are going to go bust and so will my porting capability with them. God knows what the repercussion will be for me in that case. I will wait for Google. Who doesn’t love the green in the wallet!
Please explain why i can not order the google phone if t-mobile has approved me for a new line and i,m also able to up grade my phone. The message i get is that i,m aeligable for an upgrade or new service.
May 5th 2010….. Google still says they hope to offer it in the near future… I continue to hope that “near” is in relation to human life- and not all of time.
It’s usually free. You also control your number after a new bill was passed back in 2004 by President Bush. As long as you pay your bill you are good to port to a new carrier. This website give a timeline for number ports with all the major carriers and prepaids
http://dustinjones.me/2010/05/28/timeline-for-porting-number-for-all-cell-phone-carriers/