Keep Your Phone # and move to Google Voice… Maybe

Google finally formally announced phone number portability for Google Voice today.

Why is this important? Well, prior to this announcement usage of Google Voice required a user to get a new phone number‒something Google tried to have a bit of fun with by attempting to match up the phone number to your name (example: 207 222 PIER).

Google Voice as a real option for Small Businesses or Stand Alone Consultant types takes a big step forward with the announcement of their number portability feature.  Integration with GMail, Google Apps, easy online management of your account, and finally the ability to use your own number makes Google Voice a legitimate option for the modern business phone in today’s market.  Skype, Google Voice’s biggest competitor in the online computer calling arena, still does not have this functionality.  Something that is inherent with this feature is that you will cancel any existing wireless plan - and likely incur a termination fee from your wireless carrier for this change, so move with caution and your wallet out.  Google themselves will also charge you 20 bucks for the change.

Our favorite aspect of Google Voice is getting our voice mails translated to text and sent to us via email and text.  Really, who has that whole 30 seconds to check their messages nowadays?

Beware, some of the errors in the transcribed voice mails will induce laughter.  You have been warned.