My friend Laura is having some issues w/ Verizon. And it reminded me of yet another reason I love Google. Google Voice.
When we relocated last year, my husband and I debated the merits of getting a land line through our local phone company. We’d had one in Philly, for internet access and “emergencies.” But save for ordering an occasional pizza, we never used the regular phone. We both have cell phones. No one – except telephone solicitors and wrong numbers – called us on the land line. In essence we were paying Verizon $30 a month to be annoyed. When we moved, we bid it adieu.
Ten months later, we are living in Maine. We still have our same cell phones, with our same (Philly) numbers. But thanks to Google, we also have a free local number, which will be ours forever and ever Amen, and for which we pay Google exactly zero dollars a month. For this hefty sum we get:
- Our own phone number, which rings both our cell phones (and any other numbers we wish to add) simultaneously
- Free voicemail
- Free voicemail transcription (i.e., voicemail sent via email)
- Call screening
- Voicemail screening (Listen as people leave messages, in real time)
- and MORE.
Just see for yourself.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua9Q5frlQ2M&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Yes, it is that awesome. At present Google Voice accounts are by invitation only. The good news? We have one to give. If you’d like it to be yours, please leave a comment below. If you have a compelling reason why we should choose you, include that as well. We will be making our selection Saturday, January 16th, and will announce the winner at that time. Good luck!
