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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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 TECH REVIEW 
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Google Voice Buggy but Brilliant

Impressive new VoIP service could soon sideline Skype

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(Newser) – Google's new VoIP service could be more of a "life-changing experience" than a mere Skype substitute, Larry Magid writes in CNET. Google Voice—currently only available to former GrandCentral users but expected to soon cause sleepless nights for the whole telecom industry—offers users a single number to which they can forward landline or mobile calls, and it can send voicemail messages as emails or text messages.

Google Voice has got its rough edges, Magid writes, including glitches deleting voicemails and a potentially irksome inability to send the Google number as caller ID, but the bugs are unlikely to stop it from becoming one of Google's most-loved services. "Being able to read your voicemail and having one number that rings all your phones is terrific," he concludes, "especially at the amazingly low price of free."

Google's new Google Voice service offers users
Google's new Google Voice service offers users "one number for life" and the ability to receive voicemail messages as emails or text messages.   (Google)
Google Voice can transcribes voice messages and send them as email and text messages, although reviewer Larry Magid found it buggy when trying to delete messages.
Google Voice can transcribes voice messages and send them as email and text messages, although reviewer Larry Magid found it buggy when trying to delete messages.   (Google)
Google Voice users get free calls across the United States and international rates cheaper than Skype,and can access the service from landlines, computers, or mobiles.
Google Voice users get free calls across the United States and international rates cheaper than Skype,and can access the service from landlines, computers, or mobiles.   (Google)
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Despite some flaws and limitations, this could turn out to be one of Google's most beloved services. - Larry Magid

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