Comments on Google Voice - One phone number to rule them all

• Posted by Paul Cox , Academic Advisor at University of Iowa on January 26, 2011 at 10:45pm EST
• I've been using Google Voice for about 6 months now and love the service. The slick way it handles call screening, terrific voicemail transcriptions, and a Chrome plugin to send free text messages from a browser window are some of my favorite features.
  
  I find the idea of number porting intriguing, and am excited to see how many people jump on this, and how Google handles the response. I love Google Voice, but it hasn't been without technical bumps in the past. For that reason, I'm taking the same approach as you Eric, hopefully watching, but waiting before I port. For now, I can live with two numbers.
  
  Do I get a prize for being the first to comment on your LOTR reference? Coffee card? :)

• No need to port your number
• Posted by Tre , Librarian on January 26, 2011 at 11:15pm EST
• I don't really see the big deal about having number porting available. The beauty of Google Voice, which I have been using for about a year now, is that this is the only number you need to give to folks. They can then reach you at whatever number(s) you designate. So, you can still keep your other mobile number. The GV app for the iPhone, and presumably for other devices as well, also works quite well.

• Nah- I've already trained people to use my Google Voice number
• Posted by Brian on January 27, 2011 at 4:15am EST
• Since I've already gone through the pain of training people to call my Google Voice number, there's not much point in porting any of my existing numbers to Google Voice.

• No porting for me.
• Posted by Karinda , Director, Center for Teaching Excellence at Tallahassee Community College on January 27, 2011 at 9:00am EST
• I give my Google Voice number to my students so they can text me and some of them communicate more so this way than through email. I like having the separate numbers in case I decide to stop the texting option. I wrote about my experience in our January 21st newsletter (last page) http://www.tcc.fl.edu/about_tcc/faculty_staff_resources/center_for_teaching_excellence/teaching_and_learning_resources/around_the_classroom/spring_2011_vol._vi

• Google voice scam
• Posted by IdiotWind on January 27, 2011 at 9:15am EST
• Until Google gives everyone free phone numbers or access to free one-to-one calls like Skype does via computer and deletes all evidence of such calls immediately (same for deleting all web based searches carried out over its search engine) nothing is free. You still have to pay your cell phone or land line providers - or lawyers in case your web searches are under subpoena - so what is free and what's the point of adding a third tier to already over-priced cellphone and landline services. Like Google Chrome which crashed and burned and whose idea was stolen by Internet Explorer 9 (if they are not in bed with each other anyway) - it all seems like so much gobbledygook and an incredibly high price to pay in terms of privacy. Do you now want Google snooping into your phone business as well?

• Beta is good
• Posted by eLearning , Center for Teaching and Learning at SMCC on January 27, 2011 at 10:00am EST
• Trying out something in it's Beta form after release always has its bumps in the road, and this is hardly an exception: that's how products get better over time via trial and error and Releases and Versions. I'm a believer that anything released is Beta and subject to changes over time. Most of us drive different looking cars based on preference and what's available, and not like the cookie-cutter Model A of days gone-by. Some of us have favorite colors too, instead of the drab gray.

• Posted by GHonickel , Residence Director, University Housing at NCSU on January 27, 2011 at 2:00pm EST
• I had thought about porting my number over but its more beneficial for me to have my number on the Verizon network. I also feel the need to make sure I have a back up, in the event that something happens. I'm still tinkering with Google Voice and have been having issues with it. Many people still don't understand it even exists let alone use it. People have called and left a message on the "say your name". Its not a voicemail. Unfortunately I've been trying to find the right balance. I mostly use it as a way to "screen" calls better. I will say I don't use it that often though.
  
  The features I love about it is the transcribing of voicemails (which is not always the best but getting there) and the ability to go into "Do not disturb" mode.
  
  Overall, I think its getting there but needs more refinement. I will not be porting my number over anytime soon.

• No Port, No Need
• Posted by Ed Cabellon , Director, Rondileau Campus Center at Bridgewater State University on January 27, 2011 at 2:00pm EST
• Like Karinda above, I also have already used my GV number as a "professional" one for students, faculty, vendors, etc. Second, I'm in a new contract with Verizon and the thought of having "one number to rule them all" isn't worth the early termination fee.
  
  As an early adopter of GV, it has worked out very well for me for what I needed it for. I love that I can call from gmail with it and look forward to the days when it is integrated in my iPad, Google TV, or Android Tablet too. :-)
  
  @EdCabellon