By Brian Malcom
Imagine handing out a business card with one phone number on it. Imagine not fearing missing that call from a partner, colleague or client when you leave your desk or forget your cell phone. Imagine only having to remember one phone for each of your friends, colleagues, clients and contacts. Imagine a world with less phone numbers. You're imagining a world with Google Voice.
Google Voice, the descendent of GrandCentral, promises a simpler world of telephony. The idea is simple: one phone number for all your calls and SMS. The Google Voice number will ring your home, work and cell phones separately or collectively, depending on the user's election at the time of setup. The main features of the service include:
- Call screening - Announce and screen callers
- Listen in - Listen before taking a call
- Block calls - Keep unwanted callers at bay
- SMS - Send, receive, and store SMS
- Place calls - Call US numbers for free
- Taking calls - Answer on any of your phones
- Phone routing - Phones ring based on who calls
- Forwarding phones - Add phones and decide which ring
Other features include a visual form of voicemail, voicemail transcription, voicemail notification by email or SMS, conference calling and call recording. Google Voice also intends to offer low rates for international calls.
Now for what this may mean for young lawyers:
- Your Google Voice phone number will belong to you. Thus, the days of having to inform your contacts of a new phone number upon a job change, move or upon changing cell phone providers may be a thing of the past. Think of your Google Voice number as your new SSN. You won't be able to shake it if you try.
- Facilitated communication. When your contacts can call one number at any time of the day to reach you, instant communication is easier. I'll let you decide if this facilitation is a good thing.
- More freedom. You are no longer tied to a fixed location to receive communications. Your communications will find you. Go ahead, play those nine holes on Friday afternoon.
- Lessened overhead for firms. Google will manage the storage and delivery of calls, voicemail and SMS. Complex firm voicemail and phone systems may be obsolete in ten years.
Google is taking over the world. Get on the train, or get out of the way. Google Voice is only available by invitation at this time. If you're currently using Google Voice, write us and tell us about your experience.