Google Voice (formerly GrandCentral) is a free Google-owned[1] Internet service that uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP)[2] to link customers’ phone numbers together.[3] GrandCentral was relaunched as Google Voice on March 11, 2009 with new features, including voicemail transcriptions and SMS managing.

Here is a parody video which explain what Grand Central allowed you to do. No REALLY

And this is GrandCentral with our beloved Google wrapped around it like a warm Snuggie.

I have to admit. I haven’t been this excited for a Google technology since google first released the search engine… well I’ll say Google Docs… then again there is Chrome… In either case, Its very evident how ingenious and methodical Google’s ability to infiltrate already present infrastructures through out various industries core responsibilities and place a seed to spawn a whole new way of interfacing with it from a user standpoint.

Also, if you notice through this industry changing experience, Google’s mentality about offering services to individuals in the first place. It’s rare to see Google partner with other organizations unless there ultimate goal is unified organization and cooperation of technology. There were complaints of having to manage a new number instead of working off of your current number. The issue is limitation. If Google were to hypothetically partner with a telecommunications company like Verizon, SBC Global, Comcast, there wouldn’t be a free beta, only paid customers would be able to use it, restrictions or collaborative technology would exist due to fear of stealing competing R&D departments ideas. It’s the narrow mindedness of captialism without foresight. If the telcos did allow for an open and compatible service to there already working infrastructure Google would become the service provide and they would only be the hardware connection losing a majority of its power.

If your looking for information about Google Voice links are posted below.

Google Voice Invitation Request

Google Voice – Google Blog

Grand Central

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