CNET Editors' note: The "Download Now" link directs you to the product page. You can download the application in the Android Market from your Android device.
CNET Editors' review
Google Voice lets you create a generic phone number that can be used to make and receive voice calls, voice mails, or text messages from any number of different mobile devices. It's great for people who want a consistent contact number across multiple phones and tablets or for business owners in need of another line.
To get started, you must first enable the Google Voice service on your Google account at google.com/voice. When doing so, you can choose to use your mobile number as your Google Voice number or create a new number altogether. Either way, you'll be able to use this number to make outbound calls from any of your Google Voice-enabled mobile devices. Meanwhile, incoming calls to your Google Voice number will be routed through the app.
Once you've gotten yourself set up through the Web, go ahead and download Google Voice on your Android device, and give it your Google credentials. From there, the app lets you select its method for making phone calls. For instance, you can set Google Voice as the default service for outgoing phone calls. As for me, I like the app to give me a choice (Google Voice or carrier voice plan) before I make any calls.
While the Google Voice service as a whole is great, the app's interface is another story. Primarily, it's made up of a single screen with a list of your messages... and that's it. There's no list of recent calls made or received, and there's no way to quickly make calls to your favorite contacts from the app interface. For some odd reason, these basic features are included in Google Voice for iPhone, but not in the Android iteration of the app.
One thing Android tablet users get, though, is Click-to-call, which lets you use your tablet to "place" Google Voice calls. With Click-to-call, Google Voice will call you at a number of your choice, then call one of your contacts, and connect the two of you. You probably won't use the feature very often, but I can certainly see it coming in handy.
Overall, I think Google Voice is a fantastic service that's worth signing up for. But until the app's interface gets a major update, I'll have to hold back on giving it any outstanding marks.
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Make cheap international calls with your Google number. Send free text messages.
Place calls and send text messages showing your Google number. Listen to voicemail and read transcripts. Currently only available in the US.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 6 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-6 of 6
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"one of the best apps"
Version: Google Voice for Android 0.4.2.36
Pros
very easy,use it for calls over seas( rep. of Georgia 5c),works great,my friend still freak out on personal Messages.
Cons
no mms,hope its comes soon
Summary
very good reliable app,
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"Great features"
Version: Google Voice for Android 0.4.2.24
Pros
Being able to screen calls and free visual voicemail
Cons
no MMS messaging... yet
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"Nice idea, but for me, not very user friendly"
Version: Google Voice for Android 0.4.2.13
Pros
The features work but the voice transcription to text is comical.
Cons
To me the flaw in this concept is having to use a different phone number for this service than your original cell number. This causes you to notify your contacts to use separate numbers to use all the features.
Summary
I'm not into educating all my contacts on how to correctly use this.
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"Very Difficult to Setup"
Version: Google Voice for Android 0.4.2.13
Pros
Great concept
Cons
Very difficult to set up.
Not user friendly.
Does not do what it advertises.Summary
Wait til Google works out the bugs.
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"Works pretty good.... Still need the invitation!!!"
Version: Google Voice for Android 0.3.4
Pros
Voice to text voicemail, email alerts (optional), text message alerts (optional), no dialing to get voicemail
Cons
Voice to text is still beta and buggy, need 3G coverage to receive voicemails via app or email
Summary
Bottom line: Way better than my normal Verizon voicemail and it's free. You do have to have an invitation from Google Voice to even log on. Not an issue for me since you just ask for an invite and then wait till it comes in your email. I asked, promptly forgot, and then had a wonderful surprise in my email a few weeks later. You can use your own number and not have to rely on a Google Voice number (if you don't want one). The text transcript can be buggy. It may not get every word correct but you get the jist without having to listen to the voicemail. Other than that, I use it instead of my normal voicemail and love it.
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"Does not work"
Version: Google Voice for Android 0.3.4
Pros
none......
Cons
Anyone with a Samsung Moment can't get the app. to work it is a shame.
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