Need Google Voice Advice Please

[Jages16]

So I was lucky enough to secure an invite today. Just made my profile on Facebook asking for one and a friend came through. My question is, which do I choose. I only have a cell phone and that's it, so probably leaning toward that option (ie, not getting a new GV number) but does this option have less abilities than if I were to go the route of getting a GV number? If I go the route of getting the GV number, does that mean I have to alert all my contacts to start using that new number? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!

[gocflamedragon]

No, just get a google voice number trust me on this. All your calls and such will not have to be made on this new number evreything will still work on your old number. You CAN setup the gv for your voicemail provider if you wish but basicly really their isnt a whole lot thats gona change.

[OpalCat]

If you get a new number, you have it forward to your current number--your contacts will get through whichever number they use. One cool thing about getting a GV number is that you can get a number that spells something

[Jages16]

Thanks for the replies. Definitely glad that I asked. DO you know if I add a new number later (maybe a home phone or new office line) can that be added to GV? So basically you're saying is that I don't need to give anyone the new number and that my old cell phone will work with GV? Sorry to be redundant, just don't want to screw this up!

[OpalCat]

Thanks for the replies. Definitely glad that I asked. DO you know if I add a new number later (maybe a home phone or new office line) can that be added to GV? So basically you're saying is that I don't need to give anyone the new number and that my old cell phone will work with GV? Sorry to be redundant, just don't want to screw this up!

Your old number(s) will always work. GV is just a forwarding service. You can add multiple lines to GV and have it ring one of them, all of them, or (I think) ring them in series if you don't pick them up when your GV number is dialed It's pretty cool.

I have my regular cell number set to use GV voicemail. I like it because 1) it transcribes it well enough for me to get the gist by looking at the text 2) I can check it through GV on the phone similar to the way you can use visual vm from Verizon (which costs $) and 3) I can check/manage my voicemails from my computer, as well as recording new messages, etc.

[Jages16]

OK, one last question (I promise Is there a benefit to using a GMail account over Yahoo when I officially sign up? I only got the gmail account to use with the Droid and exclusively use Yahoo. Does this matter at all?

[OpalCat]

OK, one last question (I promise Is there a benefit to using a GMail account over Yahoo when I officially sign up? I only got the gmail account to use with the Droid and exclusively use Yahoo. Does this matter at all?

I have no idea. It's been years since I messed with yahoo mail and I hated it at the time. I used to run my own mail server but once I got gmail years ago I started using it exclusively and I love it.

[Jages16]

Thanks Opal. Anyone esles out there know the answer to my Yahoo vs. GMail question for Google Voice? By the way, Opal, I am from the burbs of Boston originally

[OpalCat]

Yeah? What's there to do around here? I just moved to Massachusetts in August.

[takeshi]

If I go the route of getting the GV number, does that mean I have to alert all my contacts to start using that new number?

No. It basically boils down to this:

If you don't get the GV number you only really get GV voicemail.

If you get the GV number you get the whole package. Whether you decide to use only GV voicemail or more is up to you. Whether or not you actually use your GV number at all is up to you. Note that the other features only work with calls to your GV number (calls to your VZW number can only use GV voicemail).

Personally, I find almost all the features very useful. IMO it was worth switching completely over to using only my GV number. No one even has my VZW number. Of course, YMMV, depending on whether or not the features seem useful to you.

OK, one last question (I promise Is there a benefit to using a GMail account over Yahoo when I officially sign up? I only got the gmail account to use with the Droid and exclusively use Yahoo. Does this matter at all?

I don't think it matters since GV will be a part of your Google account anyway. Why not sign up with the gmail address?