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{{Short description|Telecommunications service by Google}}
{{redirect|GrandCentral||Grand Central}}
{{Distinguish|Google Voice Search}}
{{Redirect|GrandCentral||Grand Central (disambiguation){{!}}Grand Central}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox software
| title = Google Voice
| name = Google Voice
| logo = Google Voice icon (2020).svg
| screenshot = [[File:Example_of_Google_Voice_in_2017_running_on_Web,_Android,_and_iOS.png|300px]]
| caption = Google Voice running on a [[web Browser|browser]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[iOS]]
| collapsible = yes
| developer = [[Google|Google LLC]]
| released = {{sda|2009|03|11|df=y}}
| ver layout = stacked
| platform = [[Web application|Web]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| website = {{URL|https://voice.google.com/}}
}}


'''Google Voice''' is a [[telephone]] service that provides a U.S. phone number to [[Google Account]] customers<ref>{{cite web|title=About Google Voice|url=https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115061?hl=en|work=google.com}}</ref> in the U.S. and [[Google Workspace]] (G Suite by October 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Announcing Google Workspace, everything you need to get it done, in one location|url=https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/workspace/introducing-google-workspace/|website=Google Cloud Blog}}</ref>) customers in Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the contiguous United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Voice isn't available in all countries|url=https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9310722|work=Google Voice Help}}</ref> It is used for [[call forwarding]] and [[voicemail]] services, voice and text messaging, as well as U.S. and international calls. Calls are forwarded to the phone number that each user must configure in the account web portal. Users can answer and receive calls on any of the phones configured<ref name="pogue22">{{cite news|last=Pogue|first=David|date=March 11, 2009|title=One Number to Ring Them All|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/personaltech/12pogue.html}}</ref> to ring in the [[web portal]]. While answering a call, the user can switch between the configured phones. Subscribers in the United States can make outgoing calls to domestic and international destinations. The service is configured and maintained by users in a web-based application, similar in style to Google's email service [[Gmail]], or Android and iOS applications on smartphones or tablets.
[[Image:Googlevoicelogo.gif|thumb|Google Voice logo]]

'''Google Voice''' (formerly '''GrandCentral''') is a free [[Google]]-owned<ref>{{cite web|last=Chan|first=Wesley |title=Official Google Blog: All aboard|publisher=Google|date=[[2007-07-02]]|url= http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-aboard.html |accessdate=2008-03-12}}</ref> Internet service that uses [[voice over internet protocol]] (VoIP)<ref>[http://www.google.com/support/grandcentral/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=79903 GrandCentral Basics : About GrandCentral - GrandCentral Help Center<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> to link customers' phone numbers together.<ref name="pogue2">{{cite news|last=Pogue|first=David|title=One Number to Ring Them All|publisher=The New York Times|date=2009-03-11|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/personaltech/12pogue.html}}</ref> GrandCentral was relaunched as Google Voice on {{date|2009-03-11|mdy}} with new features, including voicemail transcriptions and SMS managing. Current GrandCentral customers will be able to transfer their accounts to Google Voice, and Google announced that the service would start accepting new members within weeks.<ref name="pogue2" /><ref name="Googlevoiceblog">{{cite web|url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/moving-to-google-voice.html|title=Moving to Google Voice!|work=Official Google Voice Blog|date=2009-03-12|accessdate=2009-03-13}}</ref>
Google Voice {{As of|2010|12|alt=currently}} provides free PC-to-phone calling within the United States and Canada, and PC-to-PC voice and video calling worldwide between users of the Google+ Hangouts browser plugin (available for Windows, Intel-based Mac OS X, and Linux).<ref>{{cite web|title=Google voice and video chat|url=https://www.google.com/chat/video|access-date=January 3, 2010}}</ref> Almost all domestic and outbound calls to the [[United States]] (including [[Alaska]] and [[Hawaii]]) and [[Canada]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Paquet|first=Vincent|date=October 7, 2009|title=Google Voice Blog|url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-calling-now-to-hawaii-and-alaska.html|access-date=October 7, 2009|quote=When we launched Google Voice, we offered free calling to the continental U.S. We've just expanded this to all 50 states by adding free calling to Alaska and Hawaii.}}</ref><ref>A few domestic calls are also billed at $0.01 per minute.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Google Voice: Calling Rates|url=https://voice.google.com/u/0/rates?hl=en|access-date=July 28, 2010|work=Google Voice website|quote="Canada: $0.00"}}</ref> are {{As of|2011|10|alt=currently}} free from the U.S. and Canada, and $0.01 per minute from everywhere else.<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Voice: Calling Rates|url=https://voice.google.com/u/0/rates?hl=en|access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref> International calls are billed according to a schedule posted on the Google Voice website.<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Voice: Calling Rates|url=https://voice.google.com/u/0/rates?hl=en|access-date=July 28, 2010|work=Google Voice website}}</ref>

Many other Google Voice services—such as [[voicemail]], free text messaging, call history, [[call screening]], blocking of unwanted calls, and [[speech recognition|voice transcription]] to text of voicemail messages—are also available to {{As of|2010|12|alt=U.S. residents}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Voice |url=https://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925055024/http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html |archive-date=September 25, 2009 |access-date=August 21, 2009}}</ref> Voicemails, missed call notifications, and/or text messages can optionally be forwarded to an email account of the user's choice. Additionally, text messages can be sent and received via the familiar email or IM interface by reading and writing text messages in numbers in [[Google Talk]] respectively (PC-to-Phone texting).


==Overview==
==Overview==
{{Update|date=May 2016}}
Whenever the customer's Google Voice number is called, any or all of the customer's phones may be set to ring, allowing the customer to answer the call from any of several phone lines. Which phones ring can be chosen based on time of day; for example, the home phone can be turned off during business hours, and based on groups (Family, Friends, Work, Web Button, Others) or personalized based on an address book.
Google provides free PC-to-PC voice calling worldwide. As described above, Google Voice users in many countries may make low-cost calls to international phone numbers, and {{as of|2010|12|alt=currently}} may also make free PC-to-phone calls within the United States and Canada. Vincent Paquet, a co-founder of GrandCentral who became a senior product manager at Google after the company had acquired the service in 2009, said that he expected Google Voice domestic service to remain free because the cost of operation is so low and, "We can generate enough revenue from international calling to support the service."<ref>{{cite news|title=Google's Free Phone Manager Could Threaten a Variety of Services|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/internet/12google.html|work=The New York Times|date=March 12, 2009 |access-date=16 June 2016 |last1=Helft |first1=Miguel }}</ref> As of 2021, the service remains free of charge.


A Google Voice local phone number for incoming calls is {{As of|2010|12|alt=currently}} available only for users in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/ |title=Google Voice invitation request |access-date=August 3, 2009 |archive-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518210355/https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Users may select a single U.S. phone number from various [[area code]]s, free of charge to each account. Incoming calls to the number may ring simultaneously any of the user's configured phones or the account's [[Google Talk]] feature. Based on the calling number, or contact group (e.g., Family, Friends, Work), or on time of day (e.g., disabling a home phone during business hours and routing calls to mobile or business number), individual numbers may be configured to ring. Multiple destinations may be specified that ring simultaneously for incoming calls. Service setup/initiation requires a non-VOIP USA telephone number for verification and identification purposes. Calls may be initiated from any of the configured telephones, as well as from a mobile device app, or from the account portal.<ref name="pogue22"/> As of August 2011, users in many other countries also may place outbound calls from the web-based application to domestic and international phone numbers.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 2, 2011|title=Google Voice Blog|url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/calling-from-gmail-now-in-38-languages.html|access-date=August 4, 2011|quote=Calling from Gmail now in 38 languages, with lower rates to over 150 destinations.}}</ref>
The site also offers centralized [[voicemail]] that can be checked from the website or through a phone, as well as numerous other services, including call screening and name-based [[caller ID]] from a customer's contact list; free voicemail transcription; blocking of incoming calls (including automatic blocking of telemarketer numbers previously reported as such in a database); call recording; SMS forwarding and management; the ability to switch lines during a call; the ability to forward calls to [[Gizmo Project]] SIP number; and different voice mail greetings based on the caller. A GrandCentral feature to cause callers to hear alternative ring signals was available and included European and Asian styled ringing indicators, but this is not available in Google Voice. There was briefly a feature to allow users to upload their own ringtones via MP3 file, but it was canceled due to potential copyright infringements by users who could upload music or other intellectual property. The service only has phone numbers located in the USA. Similar in concept, free [[Personal Numbering]] services have been continuously available in the UK, since 1993.


The service also features [[voicemail]] with indexable automated voicemail transcription, accessible via a web browser, e-mail, or by phone. Google Voice provides automatic blocking of known numbers, e.g., telemarketers, the ability to switch lines in mid-call, differentiated voice mail greetings based on caller, [[Short Message Service]] (SMS) forwarding, and call recording.
Currently, the Google Voice service is only available to former GrandCentral customers, a group that only included people who had been invited to the service before invitations were terminated in March 2008.<ref name="pogue2" /><ref>http://groups.google.com/group/grandcentral-help-alerts/msg/f3b285a65f5d90ff?hl=en</ref>


Previously, customers of [[Gizmo5]], a [[Session Initiation Protocol]] (SIP) service vendor acquired by Google, were allowed to forward calls to their Gizmo service which may be answered using a free computer application, or a [[web application]], or SIP-based telephone hardware.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gizmocall.com/ |title=Gizmo5 browser-based telephony application |access-date=September 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708074709/https://www.gizmocall.com/ |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Google discontinued Gizmo5 service on April 3, 2011.
While Google Voice is similar in concept to [[Area code 500|AT&T True Connections 500]] service offered in the 1990s, Google Voice is a more robust offering. TrueConnect also offered a single number that routed to customers' selected phone lines. However, AT&T's service required intervention on part of AT&T to change the phone number list. Google Voice uses a customer self-service webpage to allow customers to alter phone settings themselves, without any manual intervention on Google's part.

There are several competing [[virtual number]] services, such as [[eVoice]]. [[Personal numbering]] services have been available in the United Kingdom since 1993, similar to the [[AT&T]] [[Area code 500|True Connections 500]] service offered in the 1990s in the United States. AT&T's service required the direct involvement of AT&T to change the phone number list, while the Google service is user-configurable on the web application.

The original voice of GrandCentral and Google Voice belonged to actress and voice-over artist Laurie Burke, but has been replaced with recordings by Kiki Baessell, a Googler who had no experience in professional voice-overs, but was chosen because of her pleasant, familiar voice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Voice Blog: The new voice of Google Voice|date=June 28, 2010|url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-voice-of-google-voice.html |access-date=July 6, 2010}}</ref>

Late in 2009, Google Voice had approximately 1.4&nbsp;million users, of which 570,000 used the service 7&nbsp;days a week.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 30, 2009|title=Business Week: 1.4 million Google Voice users|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/business-week-1-4-million-google-voice-users-global-push-in-the-works/|access-date=July 20, 2010|work=ZD Net|quote="Google confirms"|df=mdy-all}}</ref> This number rose markedly after Google made the transition of its Google Voice service from "invitation only" to be available to all Gmail subscribers in the United States.


==History==
==History==
The service was founded in 2005 by Craig Walker and Vincent Paquet, who previously ran [[Dialpad]] Communications. GrandCentral was funded by [[Minor Ventures]], and purchased by [[Google]] on {{date|2007-07-02|mdy}} for {{USD|95 million}} with the acquisition being led by [[Wesley Chan]].{{Fact|date=March 2009}} After acquiring GrandCentral, Google appeared to have abandoned the project, and very little information about it was released. Posters in the GrandCentral support forums complained frequently of the dearth of information about the service and the lack of customer support (it has been noted that the last blog entry from GrandCentral's technical team was eight months old as of January, 2009). An "open letter" in Salon.com by reporter Judi Sohn entitled, "Will the Last One to Leave GrandCentral Please Turn Out the Lights?" reflected the frustration many of GrandCentral's early adopters have expressed in the GrandCentral forums. However, Google had apparently been secretly working on Google Voice during that entire period.<ref name="pogue2" />


===Origin===
==Changes With Google Voice==
GrandCentral, founded in 2005 by Craig Walker and Vincent Paquet with funding by Minor Ventures, was acquired by [[Google]] on July 2, 2007, for US$95&nbsp;million in a transaction led by [[Wesley Chan]]. Although GrandCentral users were able to continue to use the service after the purchase, new users were not accepted, and Google made no public statements about their plans for the service.<ref name="pogue22"/> On March 11, 2009, the management of the service revealed that the team had been working on it throughout that period, apparently in secret,<ref name="pogue22"/> and that it was being rebranded "Google Voice".<ref name="Googlevoiceblog"/> It was to keep most of the functionality originally offered in GrandCentral and add new features. Google hired a telecom design consultant, [[Pioneer Telephone|Peter Bouchard]]; he was brought on to make modifications and help relaunch the service.<ref>{{cite web
When transitioning from GrandCentral to Google Voice the following features are added:
|last= Broida
|first= Rick
|title= GrandCentral Becomes Google Voice, Adds Features
|publisher= BNET
|date= March 12, 2009
|url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grandcentral-becomes-google-voice-adds-features/
|access-date= August 30, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|last= Peng
|first= Dennis
|title= ooma and Google Voice
|publisher= Ooma
|date= March 18, 2009
|url= http://blog.ooma.com/2009/03/18/ooma-and-google-voice/
|access-date= August 30, 2009
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090323034353/http://blog.ooma.com/2009/03/18/ooma-and-google-voice/
|archive-date= March 23, 2009
|url-status= dead
}}</ref> The service was launched by [[Google]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Chan|first=Wesley|date=July 2, 2007|title=Official Google Blog: All aboard|url=https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-aboard.html|access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> on March 11, 2009. A [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'']] blog post quoted a figure of 3.5&nbsp;million users in 2013.<ref name="wired">{{cite news|last=Kravets|first=David|date=April 17, 2013|title=Will Google Hang Up on Voice? – Gadget Lab|publisher=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|url=https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/04/google-voice-future-uncertain/|access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref>


===Google transition===
* Calling International phone numbers (with a fee)
{{listen |
* Conference Calling
|filename= GrandCentralClosing.ogg
* Automatic Voicemail Transcripts
|title= GrandCentrals Closing Message
* Sending and Receiving SMS messages using your Google Voice number
|description= GrandCentral's Closing Message that was sent to all users (0:26; Ogg Vorbis, 392 KB)}}
* Goog411 integration
Google Voice was launched on March 11, 2009, based on GrandCentral, with new features, including voicemail transcriptions and SMS managing. However, GrandCentral's [[ringback tone|Ringback Tone]] feature was not transitioned over to Google Voice. Google transitioned former GrandCentral accounts to Google Voice<ref name="Googlevoiceblog">{{cite web|url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/moving-to-google-voice.html|title=Moving to Google Voice!|work=Official Google Voice Blog|date=March 12, 2009|access-date=March 13, 2009}}</ref> and announced that the service would start accepting new members "within weeks" of the announcement.<ref name="pogue22"/><ref name="Googlevoiceblog"/> On June 25, 2009, NBC's ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today Show]]'' stated that Google Voice would be available nationwide on that day.<ref>
* Calling directly from voicemail
{{cite AV media
|title= One number for office home and cell
|url= http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31542107#31542107
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090628074648/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31542107#31542107
|url-status= dead
|archive-date= 2009-06-28
|medium= Television
|publisher= [[Today (NBC program)|Today]]
|date= 2009}}</ref> Google confirmed this in a Twitter message stating: "Google Voice on [[NBC Today Show]]. Invites to people on reservations list starting to go out today."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/googlevoice/status/2327525856 |title=Google Voice Twitter feed on 6/25/09 |work=Twitter |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref> The expansion was at first limited to users queued<ref>Walker, Craig. (2009-06-25) [http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/google-voice-invites-on-their-way.html Official Google Blog: Google Voice invites on their way]. Googleblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref> on the invitation list.<ref name="google">{{cite web|url=https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/|title=Google Voice invitation request – Google|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518210355/https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Users with paid-in balances also received a limited number of invitation opportunities.


On July 1, 2009, Google Voice provided the option for users to change their service phone number for a U.S. $10 fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=115114 |title=Google Voice Help- Settings: Changing your number |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref>
The only feature that is lost is the RingShare feature.


On September 15, 2009, GrandCentral calling services were discontinued. Subscribers who used the website could still log into the site to retrieve old messages and data.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/grandcentral-will-be-shutting-down-as-of-today/ |title=GrandCentral will be shutting down as of today |publisher=Gadgetell.com |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505142500/http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/grandcentral-will-be-shutting-down-as-of-today |url-status=dead }}</ref> After termination of GrandCentral phone services, users who haven't moved over to Google Voice were still advised to upgrade their account to Google Voice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/googlevoice/status/3995477234 |title=Google Voice Twitter feed on 9/14/09 |work=Twitter |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}


===Gizmo5 acquisition===
==External links==
On November 12, 2009, Google announced that it had acquired [[Gizmo5]]<ref name=GoogleBuys>{{cite web |url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/google-welcomes-gizmo5.html |title=Google welcomes Gizmo5 |publisher=Google Voice Blog |access-date=November 12, 2009}}</ref> for a reported U.S. $30&nbsp;million in cash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/09/exclusive-google-has-acquired-gizmo5/ |title=Exclusive: Google Has Acquired Gizmo5 |publisher=TechCrunch |date=November 9, 2009 |access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> A major effect of this announcement was that [[Gizmo5]] suspended new signups pending re-launch by Google.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711112827/http://www.googlevoicesecrets.com/its-official-google-acquires-gizmo5|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url=http://www.googlevoicesecrets.com/its-official-google-acquires-gizmo5 |title=It's Official – Google Acquires Gizmo5! |author=Kovitz, Steven |date=November 14, 2009 |publisher=Google Voice Secrets |access-date=November 15, 2009}}</ref> Google was reported to be working on a desktop application, though rumors also circulated that the project had been scrapped in favor of a browser-based solution.<ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2010/06/11/google-voice-desktop-app-launch-delayed-may-be-scrapped/ Google Voice Desktop App Launch Delayed, May Be Scrapped]. Techcrunch.com (2010-06-11). Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref> On August 26, 2010 Gmail accounts with Google Voice were given a function to make and receive calls. Google Voice product manager, Vincent Paquet, confirmed that this function was added through the help of the technology received after the Gizmo5 acquisition.<ref name="engadget">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/google-introduces-voice-in-gmail/|title=Google introduces Call from Gmail, free calls to U.S. and Canada (update: impressions)|date=August 25, 2010 |publisher=engadget.com|access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> In 2011, the Gizmo5 site closed service to its registered members. As of January 2012, the website is no longer available.
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/personaltech/12pogue.html ''One Number to Ring Them All''] ([[New York Times]], 2009)
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/15/technology/15pogue.html ''One Number That Will Ring All Your Phones'] ([[New York Times]], 2007)
* [http://voice.google.com/ Google Voice]
* [http://www.grandcentral.com/about/whatisgc/ What is GrandCentral?]
* [http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/28/the-techcrunch-quick-guide-to-grandcentral/ Guide to GrandCentral]
* [http://www.centernetworks.com/interview-with-grandcentral Interview with Craig Walker, CEO]
* [http://www.atelier.fr/services/getmp3.php?id=34456&talk=6 Interview with Vincent Paquet]
* [http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-aboard.html Google Acquisition]
* [http://www.technologymadness.com/?p=368 Grandcentral, mother of all phone services - Know more about Grandcentral.com]
* [http://www.salon.com/tech/giga_om/web_life/2009/01/26/will_the_last_one_to_leave_grandcentral_please_turn_out_the_lights/index.html Will the Last One to Leave GrandCentral Please Turn Out the Lights?]
* [http://blog.ringcentral.com/2009/03/your-business-needs-more-than-google.html Your Business Needs More Than Google Voice]
{{Google Inc.}}


===Open availability===
[[Category:Google acquisitions]]
On June 22, 2010 Google Voice dropped the requirement for invitations to become a subscriber, and the service became available to anyone in the US with a Google account.<ref>Walker, Craig. (2010-06-22) [http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/google-voice-for-everyone.html Google Voice Blog: Google Voice for everyone]. Googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref>
[[Category:VoIP services]]


===Rejection from the iPhone app store===
[[pt:Google GrandCentral]]
On July 27, 2009, [[Apple Inc.]] rejected a Google Voice app that had been submitted by Google six weeks earlier. Other apps created for use with Google Voice, such as GVdialer, GV Mobile and VoiceCentral, were removed from the [[App Store (iOS/iPadOS)|App Store]]. Apple states that the reason for the rejection and removals is that these apps replaced certain [[iPhone]] functions and features.

A Google spokesman released this statement on the matter:<ref>{{cite web
|last= Jason
|first= Kincaid
|title= Apple Is Growing Rotten To The Core: Official Google Voice App Blocked From App Store
|publisher= [[TechCrunch]]
|date= July 27, 2009
|url= https://techcrunch.com/2009/07/27/apple-is-growing-rotten-to-the-core-and-its-likely-atts-fault/
|access-date= August 30, 2009}}</ref>

<blockquote>
We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone. Apple Inc. did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the [[App Store (iOS/iPadOS)]]. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users – for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers.
</blockquote>

The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) opened an inquiry regarding the rejection of Google Voice for the iPhone. "The FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related 'third-party applications' from its store." The FCC has also requested Google to submit a letter describing the application of Google Voice. "The request is part of a broader-ranging inquiry by the commission on exclusive deals between cell phone carriers and handset manufacturers for hot phones."<ref name="fccinquiry">{{cite news
|last= Johnson
|first= Fawn
|author2=Schatz, Amy
|title= FCC Opens Inquiry of Apple's Ban of Google Voice
|work=The Wall Street Journal
|date= August 1, 2009
|url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124908121794098073
|access-date= August 30, 2009}}</ref>

In their response to the FCC, Google stated that the Google Voice application uses the carrier's voice network to place phone calls,<ref>{{cite web
|first= Richard S.
|last= Whitt
|title= Google's Response to FCC Inquiry Regarding Apple's Rejection of the Google Voice for iPhone Application
|url= http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/8212009_google_filing_iPhone_Inquiry_PUBLIC_REDACTED.pdf
|publisher= [[Federal Communications Commission]]
|date= August 21, 2009
|access-date= August 30, 2009
|archive-date= September 2, 2009
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090902002720/http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/8212009_google_filing_iPhone_Inquiry_PUBLIC_REDACTED.pdf
|url-status= dead
}}</ref> dispelling misconceptions that it is a [[Voice over Internet Protocol]] application. AT&T stated that they had no role in approval or rejection of the Google Voice application.<ref>{{cite web
|first= James W.
|last= Cicconi
|title= AT&T Response to Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Letter, DA 09- 1737 (July 31, 2009); RM-11361; RM-11497
|url= http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/8212009_ATT_Response_FCC_iPhone_Letter.pdf
|publisher= [[Federal Communications Commission]]
|date= August 21, 2009
|access-date= August 30, 2009
|archive-date= September 2, 2009
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090902002708/http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/8212009_ATT_Response_FCC_iPhone_Letter.pdf
|url-status= dead
}}</ref> Apple stated that they had not rejected the application but were continuing to examine it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-answers-fcc-questions/ |title=Apple Answers the FCC's Questions |publisher=Apple.com |date=July 31, 2009 |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221043438/http://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-answers-fcc-questions/ |archive-date=December 21, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> One argument against allowing the Google Voice app on the iPhone is that they are concerned that it replaces the iPhone user interface with its own; however many other dialers and messaging apps are available from the app store.<ref>{{cite web
|first= Catherine A.
|last= Novelli
|title= Apple's Response to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's Questions of July 31, 2009
|url= http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/8212009_Apple_Response.pdf
|publisher= [[Federal Communications Commission]]
|date= August 21, 2009
|access-date= August 30, 2009
|archive-date= September 2, 2009
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090902002713/http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/8212009_Apple_Response.pdf
|url-status= dead
}}</ref>

As a result of rejection from the Apple Store, Google released its Google Voice iPhone application as a [[web app]] in January 2010, and certain apps like GV Mobile are available through [[Cydia]] on [[IOS jailbreaking|jailbroken]] iPhones.<ref>{{citation|url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/01/hands-on-with-google-voices-improved-web-app-for-iphone.ars|title=First look: Google Voice's improved Web app for iPhone|date=January 26, 2010|work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seankovacs.com/index.php/2009/07/wow/|title=Wow|author=Kovacs, Sean|date=July 28, 2009|work=Sean Kovacs|access-date=August 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208113336/http://www.seankovacs.com/index.php/2009/07/wow/|archive-date=December 8, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In September 2010, Sean Kovacs, creator of the app ''GV Mobile +'', announced on his Twitter that Apple had re-accepted the application, and it has since been available for purchase on the Apple App Store. This is the second Google Voice service app available in the Apple's official application store for a year and a half, released just a day after "GV Connect" had been available.<ref>{{citation|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/09/17/apple-finally-approves-a-native-google-voice-application/|title=Apple Finally Lets A Google Voice Application Into The App Store (Again)|author=Greg Kumparak|date=September 17, 2010|work=Andreas Amann}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.ifans.com/blog/8480/|title=GV Mobile + Accepted into the App Store|author=Trey|date=September 18, 2010|work=Sean Kovacs|access-date=January 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319031924/http://www.ifans.com/blog/8480/|archive-date=March 19, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November 2010, the official Google Voice [[iPhone]] application became available in the [[App Store (iOS/iPadOS)|App Store]] in the United States, but was still not available in other countries.<ref>{{citation|url=http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/google-voice-for-iphone.html|title=Google Voice for iPhone|date=November 16, 2010|work=Google Voice}}</ref>

===Google Hangouts===
In September 2014, certain Google Voice features were integrated into the [[Google Hangouts]] application, an instant messaging client, which is a replacement for Google Talk.<ref>{{citation|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/google-hangouts-gets-a-huge-update-including-google-voice-integration/|title=Google Hangouts gets a huge update, including Google Voice integration|date=September 11, 2014|work=Ars Technica}}</ref> In early 2021, Google removed Google Voice support from the Hangouts mobile and desktop apps.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |title=Google is beginning the forced migration from Hangouts to Chat next year |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21517929/google-hangouts-chat-messaging-free |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=July 6, 2021 |date=October 15, 2020 }}</ref>

===2017 update===
In January 2017, Google made the first significant updates to Google Voice in approximately five years for Android, iOS, and the Web.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blog.google/products/google-voice/ringing-2017-updates-our-google-voice-apps/|title=Ringing in 2017 with updates to our Google Voice apps|date=2017-01-23|newspaper=Google|language=en|access-date=2017-02-01}}</ref> The user interface was overhauled with [[Material Design]]. Group and photo MMS became natively supported in Voice, not depending on Hangouts integration. Voicemail transcription for Spanish was introduced, and Google promised to provide new updates and features.

=== Google Workspace ===
On July 25, 2018, Google announced the launch of a beta version of Google Voice for business customers at their Cloud NEXT event in San Francisco, California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/07/google-voice-eap.html|title=Google Voice now available to G Suite customers through Early Adopter Program (Beta)|website=G Suite Updates Blog|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> On April 10, 2019, Google announced the general availability release for Google Voice for existing G Suite (now Google Workspace) customers in select countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2019/04/google-voice-for-business-cloud-telephony.html|title=Google Voice for G Suite: Cloud telephony with the intelligence and security of Google Cloud|website=G Suite Updates Blog|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>

==Features==
Features of Google Voice, many retained from GrandCentral, include:
*Calling international phone numbers with rates starting at US$0.01 per minute<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voice.google.com/u/0/rates?hl=en|title=Google Voice: Calling Rates|work=google.com}}</ref>
*Ability to change your number for a fee<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115114?hl=en|title=Change your Google Voice number – Google Voice Help|website=support.google.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-01}}</ref>
*Ability to port your mobile number for a fee<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en|title=Transfer or port your number – Google Voice Help|website=support.google.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-01}}</ref>
*Specifying an existing phone number instead of the Google Voice number on initial setup for use with limited functionality, such as some voicemail functions<ref>{{cite web|last=Paquet|first=Vincent |title=Use Google Voice with your existing number|date=October 26, 2009|url=https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/use-google-voice-with-your-existing.html |access-date=October 26, 2009}}</ref> and using the voice mail system for the user's phone number (mobile devices only).<ref>{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Craig|title=Use Google Voice with your existing number|date=October 26, 2009|url=https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/use-google-voice-with-your-existing.html |access-date=October 26, 2009}}</ref>

While many customers in countries beside the United States have been [[grandfathered]] into Google Voice services, the features are reduced and customers are often charged for calls to their own countries. {{As of|2010|12|alt=Currently}} Google Voice PC-to-phone calling works only for calls into the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thundersmm.com/how-and-why-to-use-google-voice/|title=How and why to use Google Voice?|access-date=13 October 2020|website=ThunderSMM.com|archive-date=October 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015045744/https://thundersmm.com/how-and-why-to-use-google-voice/|url-status=dead}}</ref> or for domestic or international calls from the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]; Google plans to implement this for other countries, but a time frame has not been released. A U.S. telephone number is required to obtain a Google Voice phone number for redirecting incoming calls.<ref>[https://www.google.com/support/forum/p/voice/thread?tid=7027689bed227171&hl=en Can Google Voice be used in Canada? – Google Voice Help]. Google.com (2009-07-05). Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref>

===Caller ID===
Google Voice uses the caller's Google Voice number as the CLID on outgoing calls when the user places a call by calling the user's own Google Voice number and using the service's menu choices,<ref>{{cite web|last=Krazit |first=Tom |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/google-voice-bring-us-your-number/ |title=Google Voice: Bring us your number? |publisher=News.cnet.com |date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref> or when the web-based account portal is used to place a call.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHIWUw6cf1U | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/sHIWUw6cf1U| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|title=YouTube – Google Voice – Place calls |work=YouTube | date=March 11, 2009|access-date=December 25, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Mobile phone applications===
[[File:Google Voice.png|thumb|right|265px|Example of (old) Google Voice inbox running on [[Android Jelly Bean]]]]
Google Voice applications for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] can automatically place outgoing calls and texts via the user's Google Voice service.<ref name="googlemobileapp">{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/mobile/products/voice.html#p=default |title=Google Mobile |access-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref>

Google Voice does not officially support SMS to phone numbers outside of the United States.<ref name="google.com">[https://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=117527 International Text Messaging: Basics – Google Voice Help]. Google.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref> {{As of|2010|6|1}} Google had purposely blocked international texts, with the intention of reintroducing the service once billing systems are in place.<ref>[https://www.google.com/support/forum/p/voice/thread?tid=284eb31b6a1834cc&hl=en International SMS sending/receiving as of 06/01 – Google Voice Help]. Google.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref>

===Integration into Gmail and Google Talk===
{{See also|Google Talk}}
When Google Voice was offered during beta testing, Gmail Labs offered an add-on so users could listen to voicemail messages in their [[Gmail]] inbox.<ref>[http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2009/09/listen-to-google-voice-messages-in.html Listen to Google Voice Messages in Gmail]. Googlesystem.blogspot.com (2009-09-10). Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref> Since August 26, 2010, U.S. Gmail users may place calls to the U.S., Canada, and international destinations from within Gmail.<ref>Schriebman, Robin. (2010-08-25) [https://gmail.googleblog.com/2010/08/call-phones-from-gmail.html Call phones from Gmail – Official Gmail Blog]. Gmailblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2010.</ref> Calls to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers are free, while the cost of calls to international destinations starts at 1&nbsp;cents per minute.<ref>{{cite web
|url= https://www.google.com/chat/voice/compare.html
|title= International calling rates
|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
|date= 2016
|website= Google Voice: Calling Rates
|access-date= 2016-02-25
}}</ref> This is possible with the help of a voice and video chat plugin for web browsers to connect to cameras, microphones, and speakers installed in the computer.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.google.com/chat/voice/
|title= Make calls from Gmail
|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
|date= 2016
|website= Chat Help
|access-date= 2016-02-25
}}</ref>

==Limitations==
===No emergency calling===
Google Voice refers to itself as an "enhanced call management application" and as such "is not capable of placing or receiving emergency services calls."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/googlevoice/legal-notices.html |title=Google Voice Legal Notices |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref> Attempting to dial [[9-1-1|911]] in the U.S. indicates that the number is not valid.

===Limited international texting service===
Google Voice supports sending text messages to phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada, but users can receive text messages from anywhere in the world.<ref>{{citation|url=https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115116?hl=en|title=Send & receive text messages|publisher=Google Inc.|date=November 22, 2015}}</ref>

===VoIP services===
Google Voice permits [[Voice Over IP]] (VoIP) as a beta from both the web and Android clients. It formerly supported XMPP signaling but no longer does.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=43c479f4a43b63b6&hl=en |title=Posting about VoIP in Google help forums |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref> However, it has been reported that at one time some users could receive calls with their Google Voice accounts via the [[Session Initiation Protocol]] (SIP).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.disruptivetelephony.com/2011/03/google-voice-now-offers-sip-addresses-for-calling-directly-over-ip.html |title=Google Voice Now Offers SIP Addresses For Calling Directly Over IP |access-date=January 4, 2012}}</ref>

===Third-party devices===
Hardware manufacturers such as [[Obihai Technology]] have created devices that enable the home user to use conventional wired telephone(s) to place and receive calls over their broadband connection through Google Voice, as well as other service providers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nerdvittles.com/?p=720 |title=2011 VoIP Device of the Year: Obihai OBi110 for Google Voice |publisher=Nerdvittles.com |date=February 3, 2011 |access-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref>

Google Voice terminated support for some XMPP services in May 2014, disrupting service for 3rd party apps. Affected vendors included Talkatone, GrooveIP and Obihai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/talkatone/posts/755174614498473|title=Dear Talkatone Users|publisher=Talkatone}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.obihai.com/2013/10/important-message-about-google-voice.html |title=Important Message About Google Voice and Your OBi Device |publisher=obihai.com}}</ref> Obihai initially recommended its users to switch to rival providers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/18/obihai-offers-new-low-cost-home-phone-options-as-technology-change-at-google-ends-free-service/|title=Obihai Offers New Low-Cost Home Phone Options As Technology Change At Google Ends Free Service|author=Jon Orlin|publisher=AOL|work=TechCrunch|date=March 18, 2014 }}</ref> but returned with official Google Voice support for its hardware [[analog telephone adapter]]s on September 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.obihai.com/2014/09/google-voice-and-obihai-update.html|title=Obihai Technology, Inc.: Google Voice and Obihai Update|work=obihai.com}}</ref>

Software manufacturers offer applications, such as PCPhoneSoft.com's "GVJack" App that converts [[magicJack]] dongles to use Google Voice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.voxilla.com/threads/google-voice-can-now-be-used-with-any-old-magicjack.32280/ |title=Google Voice Can Now Be Used With Any Old MagicJack |publisher=voxilla.com |date=February 25, 2012 |access-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref> The GVJackApp for magicJack and the GVMate Phone Adapter are signalling independent and continued to work (using [[Google Hangouts]]) after support for XMPP was terminated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcphonesoft.com/gvjackapp-unaffected-by-xmpp-retirement-may-2014.html |title=GVJackApp Unaffected By XMPP Retirement May 2014 |publisher=pcphonesoft.com |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104055655/http://www.pcphonesoft.com/gvjackapp-unaffected-by-xmpp-retirement-may-2014.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Call forwarding and voicemail===
If the telephone to which a call is forwarded does not connect within 25&nbsp;seconds, then calls are routed to Google Voice's voicemail.<ref name="google1">{{cite web|title=Google Voice: Preventing voicemail from picking up calls
|url=https://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=115110&topic=1708439|work=Google Voice website|access-date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> Users who want calls to be picked up by their home, work, or mobile phone voicemail systems or answering machines must turn off call screening in Google Voice and make sure that their phone's voicemail systems or answering machines pick up within 25 seconds.<ref name="google1"/>

==Partners and infrastructure==
Google Voice's partners that provide phone numbers, call-termination, call-routing, and other infrastructure include:
*[[Bandwidth.com]]
*[[Broadvox Communications]]
*[[Global Crossing]] {Lumen)
*[[IBasis]] for international outbound call routing
*[[Level 3 Communications]] (Lumen)
*[[Neustar]]
*[[Pac-West Telecom]]

In 2009, Google reserved 1&nbsp;million telephone numbers with [[Level 3 Communications]] which were presumed to be for Google Voice.<ref name="onemillionphonenumbers">{{cite web |last=Fontana |first=John |date=June 20, 2009 |title=Google Grabs 1 Million Phone Numbers for Google Voice |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/166978/google_grabs_1_million_phone_numbers_for_google_voice.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622070348/https://www.pcworld.com/article/166978/google_grabs_1_million_phone_numbers_for_google_voice.html |archive-date=2009-06-22 |access-date=December 20, 2010 |publisher=[[PC World (magazine)|PCWorld]]}}</ref>

==Dispute between AT&T and Google about call blocking==
{{Main|Traffic pumping#Role in dispute between AT&T and Google}}
AT&T petitioned the U.S. [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC)<ref name="att2fccletter">{{cite web
|last= Siegler
|first= MG
|title= AT&T Goes After Google Voice, Net Neutrality And Double Standards (Full Letter To FCC)
|publisher= [[TechCrunch]]
|date= September 25, 2009
|url= https://techcrunch.com/2009/09/25/att-goes-after-google-voice-net-neutrality-and-double-standards-full-letter-to-fcc/
|access-date= July 24, 2010}}</ref> to require Google (as it requires [[plain old telephone service|POTS]] providers) to allow calls to high-cost destinations, typically rural [[independent telephone company|independent telephone companies]] with wholesale prices up to ten times above the national average. Google responded that it is not obligated to allow these calls.<ref name="fcc2googleletter">{{cite web
|last= Kincaid
|first= Jason
|title= AT&T Complaint Prompts FCC Letter To Google Inquiring About Google Voice
|publisher= [[TechCrunch]]
|date= October 9, 2009
|url= https://techcrunch.com/2009/10/09/att-complaint-prompts-fcc-letter-to-google-inquiring-about-google-voice/
|access-date= July 24, 2010}}</ref><ref name="google2fccletter">{{cite web
|title= 10-28-09 Google Voice Letter to FCC
|publisher= [[Scribd]]
|date= October 28, 2009
|url= https://www.scribd.com/doc/21776911/10-28-09-Google-Voice-Letter-to-FCC
|access-date= July 24, 2010}}</ref>

==Exploitation==
Google Voice requires an existing "real" [non-VOIP] phone number and a generated PIN to register. However, many users simply employ one of numerous text verification websites to supply temporary "real" numbers.

Scammers wanting multiple anonymous unauthorized Google Voice numbers have tricked strangers into registering Google Voice numbers to their personal phone numbers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/voice/thread/845902?hl=en|title=craigslist scam - google voice - Google Voice Community|website=support.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archerint.com/dont-fall-double-digit-phone-scam/|title=Don't fall for the double-digit phone scam|date=May 17, 2017}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bandwidth.com]]
* [[Burner (mobile application)]]
* [[Caller ID spoofing]]
* [[Comparison of VoIP software]]
* [[Google Fi Wireless]]
* [[Level 3 Communications]]
* [[PrivatePhone]]
* [[Public switched telephone network]]
* [[Traffic pumping]]
* [[Google Meet]]
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==

{{refbegin}}

* {{Cite web |last1=Raphael |first1=J. R. |title=Google Voice deserves your attention (again) |work=Computerworld |date=2020-07-07 |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564825/google-voice.html |language=en |access-date=2020-07-10 |df=mdy-all }}

{{refend}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://voice.google.com/}}
* {{YouTube|m4Q9MJdT5Ds|Google Voice}}, an explanatory video from Google

{{Google LLC}}
{{Android (operating system)}}

[[Category:Google acquisitions|Voice]]
[[Category:Telecommunication services]]
[[Category:Telecommunications in the United States]]
[[Category:VoIP services]]
[[Category:VoIP software]]
[[Category:2009 software]]
[[Category:Voicemail]]
[[Category:Google instant messaging software]]

Latest revision as of 03:36, 14 December 2024

Not to be confused with Google Voice Search.
"GrandCentral" redirects here. For other uses, see Grand Central.

Google Voice
Developer(s)Google LLC
Initial release11 March 2009; 15 years ago (2009-03-11)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android2024.12.01 (Build 703490628) / 6 December 2024; 13 days ago (2024-12-06)[1][2]
iOS24.48 / 5 December 2024; 14 days ago (2024-12-05)[3]
PlatformWeb, Android, iOS
Websitevoice.google.com

Google Voice is a telephone service that provides a U.S. phone number to Google Account customers[4] in the U.S. and Google Workspace (G Suite by October 2020[5]) customers in Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the contiguous United States.[6] It is used for call forwarding and voicemail services, voice and text messaging, as well as U.S. and international calls. Calls are forwarded to the phone number that each user must configure in the account web portal. Users can answer and receive calls on any of the phones configured[7] to ring in the web portal. While answering a call, the user can switch between the configured phones. Subscribers in the United States can make outgoing calls to domestic and international destinations. The service is configured and maintained by users in a web-based application, similar in style to Google's email service Gmail, or Android and iOS applications on smartphones or tablets.

Google Voice currently provides free PC-to-phone calling within the United States and Canada, and PC-to-PC voice and video calling worldwide between users of the Google+ Hangouts browser plugin (available for Windows, Intel-based Mac OS X, and Linux).[8] Almost all domestic and outbound calls to the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) and Canada[9][10][11] are currently free from the U.S. and Canada, and $0.01 per minute from everywhere else.[12] International calls are billed according to a schedule posted on the Google Voice website.[13]

Many other Google Voice services—such as voicemail, free text messaging, call history, call screening, blocking of unwanted calls, and voice transcription to text of voicemail messages—are also available to U.S. residents.[14] Voicemails, missed call notifications, and/or text messages can optionally be forwarded to an email account of the user's choice. Additionally, text messages can be sent and received via the familiar email or IM interface by reading and writing text messages in numbers in Google Talk respectively (PC-to-Phone texting).

Overview

[edit]

Google provides free PC-to-PC voice calling worldwide. As described above, Google Voice users in many countries may make low-cost calls to international phone numbers, and currently may also make free PC-to-phone calls within the United States and Canada. Vincent Paquet, a co-founder of GrandCentral who became a senior product manager at Google after the company had acquired the service in 2009, said that he expected Google Voice domestic service to remain free because the cost of operation is so low and, "We can generate enough revenue from international calling to support the service."[15] As of 2021, the service remains free of charge.

A Google Voice local phone number for incoming calls is currently available only for users in the United States.[16] Users may select a single U.S. phone number from various area codes, free of charge to each account. Incoming calls to the number may ring simultaneously any of the user's configured phones or the account's Google Talk feature. Based on the calling number, or contact group (e.g., Family, Friends, Work), or on time of day (e.g., disabling a home phone during business hours and routing calls to mobile or business number), individual numbers may be configured to ring. Multiple destinations may be specified that ring simultaneously for incoming calls. Service setup/initiation requires a non-VOIP USA telephone number for verification and identification purposes. Calls may be initiated from any of the configured telephones, as well as from a mobile device app, or from the account portal.[7] As of August 2011, users in many other countries also may place outbound calls from the web-based application to domestic and international phone numbers.[17]

The service also features voicemail with indexable automated voicemail transcription, accessible via a web browser, e-mail, or by phone. Google Voice provides automatic blocking of known numbers, e.g., telemarketers, the ability to switch lines in mid-call, differentiated voice mail greetings based on caller, Short Message Service (SMS) forwarding, and call recording.

Previously, customers of Gizmo5, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) service vendor acquired by Google, were allowed to forward calls to their Gizmo service which may be answered using a free computer application, or a web application, or SIP-based telephone hardware.[18] Google discontinued Gizmo5 service on April 3, 2011.

There are several competing virtual number services, such as eVoice. Personal numbering services have been available in the United Kingdom since 1993, similar to the AT&T True Connections 500 service offered in the 1990s in the United States. AT&T's service required the direct involvement of AT&T to change the phone number list, while the Google service is user-configurable on the web application.

The original voice of GrandCentral and Google Voice belonged to actress and voice-over artist Laurie Burke, but has been replaced with recordings by Kiki Baessell, a Googler who had no experience in professional voice-overs, but was chosen because of her pleasant, familiar voice.[19]

Late in 2009, Google Voice had approximately 1.4 million users, of which 570,000 used the service 7 days a week.[20] This number rose markedly after Google made the transition of its Google Voice service from "invitation only" to be available to all Gmail subscribers in the United States.

History

[edit]

Origin

[edit]

GrandCentral, founded in 2005 by Craig Walker and Vincent Paquet with funding by Minor Ventures, was acquired by Google on July 2, 2007, for US$95 million in a transaction led by Wesley Chan. Although GrandCentral users were able to continue to use the service after the purchase, new users were not accepted, and Google made no public statements about their plans for the service.[7] On March 11, 2009, the management of the service revealed that the team had been working on it throughout that period, apparently in secret,[7] and that it was being rebranded "Google Voice".[21] It was to keep most of the functionality originally offered in GrandCentral and add new features. Google hired a telecom design consultant, Peter Bouchard; he was brought on to make modifications and help relaunch the service.[22][23] The service was launched by Google[24] on March 11, 2009. A Wired blog post quoted a figure of 3.5 million users in 2013.[25]

Google transition

[edit]

Google Voice was launched on March 11, 2009, based on GrandCentral, with new features, including voicemail transcriptions and SMS managing. However, GrandCentral's Ringback Tone feature was not transitioned over to Google Voice. Google transitioned former GrandCentral accounts to Google Voice[21] and announced that the service would start accepting new members "within weeks" of the announcement.[7][21] On June 25, 2009, NBC's Today Show stated that Google Voice would be available nationwide on that day.[26] Google confirmed this in a Twitter message stating: "Google Voice on NBC Today Show. Invites to people on reservations list starting to go out today."[27] The expansion was at first limited to users queued[28] on the invitation list.[29] Users with paid-in balances also received a limited number of invitation opportunities.

On July 1, 2009, Google Voice provided the option for users to change their service phone number for a U.S. $10 fee.[30]

On September 15, 2009, GrandCentral calling services were discontinued. Subscribers who used the website could still log into the site to retrieve old messages and data.[31] After termination of GrandCentral phone services, users who haven't moved over to Google Voice were still advised to upgrade their account to Google Voice.[32]

Gizmo5 acquisition

[edit]

On November 12, 2009, Google announced that it had acquired Gizmo5[33] for a reported U.S. $30 million in cash.[34] A major effect of this announcement was that Gizmo5 suspended new signups pending re-launch by Google.[35] Google was reported to be working on a desktop application, though rumors also circulated that the project had been scrapped in favor of a browser-based solution.[36] On August 26, 2010 Gmail accounts with Google Voice were given a function to make and receive calls. Google Voice product manager, Vincent Paquet, confirmed that this function was added through the help of the technology received after the Gizmo5 acquisition.[37] In 2011, the Gizmo5 site closed service to its registered members. As of January 2012, the website is no longer available.

Open availability

[edit]

On June 22, 2010 Google Voice dropped the requirement for invitations to become a subscriber, and the service became available to anyone in the US with a Google account.[38]

Rejection from the iPhone app store

[edit]

On July 27, 2009, Apple Inc. rejected a Google Voice app that had been submitted by Google six weeks earlier. Other apps created for use with Google Voice, such as GVdialer, GV Mobile and VoiceCentral, were removed from the App Store. Apple states that the reason for the rejection and removals is that these apps replaced certain iPhone functions and features.

A Google spokesman released this statement on the matter:[39]

We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone. Apple Inc. did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the App Store (iOS/iPadOS). We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users – for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened an inquiry regarding the rejection of Google Voice for the iPhone. "The FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related 'third-party applications' from its store." The FCC has also requested Google to submit a letter describing the application of Google Voice. "The request is part of a broader-ranging inquiry by the commission on exclusive deals between cell phone carriers and handset manufacturers for hot phones."[40]

In their response to the FCC, Google stated that the Google Voice application uses the carrier's voice network to place phone calls,[41] dispelling misconceptions that it is a Voice over Internet Protocol application. AT&T stated that they had no role in approval or rejection of the Google Voice application.[42] Apple stated that they had not rejected the application but were continuing to examine it.[43] One argument against allowing the Google Voice app on the iPhone is that they are concerned that it replaces the iPhone user interface with its own; however many other dialers and messaging apps are available from the app store.[44]

As a result of rejection from the Apple Store, Google released its Google Voice iPhone application as a web app in January 2010, and certain apps like GV Mobile are available through Cydia on jailbroken iPhones.[45][46]

In September 2010, Sean Kovacs, creator of the app GV Mobile +, announced on his Twitter that Apple had re-accepted the application, and it has since been available for purchase on the Apple App Store. This is the second Google Voice service app available in the Apple's official application store for a year and a half, released just a day after "GV Connect" had been available.[47][48]

In November 2010, the official Google Voice iPhone application became available in the App Store in the United States, but was still not available in other countries.[49]

Google Hangouts

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In September 2014, certain Google Voice features were integrated into the Google Hangouts application, an instant messaging client, which is a replacement for Google Talk.[50] In early 2021, Google removed Google Voice support from the Hangouts mobile and desktop apps.[51]

2017 update

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In January 2017, Google made the first significant updates to Google Voice in approximately five years for Android, iOS, and the Web.[52] The user interface was overhauled with Material Design. Group and photo MMS became natively supported in Voice, not depending on Hangouts integration. Voicemail transcription for Spanish was introduced, and Google promised to provide new updates and features.

Google Workspace

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On July 25, 2018, Google announced the launch of a beta version of Google Voice for business customers at their Cloud NEXT event in San Francisco, California.[53] On April 10, 2019, Google announced the general availability release for Google Voice for existing G Suite (now Google Workspace) customers in select countries.[54]

Features

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Features of Google Voice, many retained from GrandCentral, include:

  • Calling international phone numbers with rates starting at US$0.01 per minute[55]
  • Ability to change your number for a fee[56]
  • Ability to port your mobile number for a fee[57]
  • Specifying an existing phone number instead of the Google Voice number on initial setup for use with limited functionality, such as some voicemail functions[58] and using the voice mail system for the user's phone number (mobile devices only).[59]

While many customers in countries beside the United States have been grandfathered into Google Voice services, the features are reduced and customers are often charged for calls to their own countries. Currently Google Voice PC-to-phone calling works only for calls into the United States and Canada[60] or for domestic or international calls from the United States and Canada; Google plans to implement this for other countries, but a time frame has not been released. A U.S. telephone number is required to obtain a Google Voice phone number for redirecting incoming calls.[61]

Caller ID

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Google Voice uses the caller's Google Voice number as the CLID on outgoing calls when the user places a call by calling the user's own Google Voice number and using the service's menu choices,[62] or when the web-based account portal is used to place a call.[63]

Mobile phone applications

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Example of (old) Google Voice inbox running on Android Jelly Bean

Google Voice applications for Android and iOS can automatically place outgoing calls and texts via the user's Google Voice service.[64]

Google Voice does not officially support SMS to phone numbers outside of the United States.[65] As of 1 June 2010 Google had purposely blocked international texts, with the intention of reintroducing the service once billing systems are in place.[66]

Integration into Gmail and Google Talk

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See also: Google Talk

When Google Voice was offered during beta testing, Gmail Labs offered an add-on so users could listen to voicemail messages in their Gmail inbox.[67] Since August 26, 2010, U.S. Gmail users may place calls to the U.S., Canada, and international destinations from within Gmail.[68] Calls to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers are free, while the cost of calls to international destinations starts at 1 cents per minute.[69] This is possible with the help of a voice and video chat plugin for web browsers to connect to cameras, microphones, and speakers installed in the computer.[70]

Limitations

[edit]

No emergency calling

[edit]

Google Voice refers to itself as an "enhanced call management application" and as such "is not capable of placing or receiving emergency services calls."[71] Attempting to dial 911 in the U.S. indicates that the number is not valid.

Limited international texting service

[edit]

Google Voice supports sending text messages to phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada, but users can receive text messages from anywhere in the world.[72]

VoIP services

[edit]

Google Voice permits Voice Over IP (VoIP) as a beta from both the web and Android clients. It formerly supported XMPP signaling but no longer does.[73] However, it has been reported that at one time some users could receive calls with their Google Voice accounts via the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).[74]

Third-party devices

[edit]

Hardware manufacturers such as Obihai Technology have created devices that enable the home user to use conventional wired telephone(s) to place and receive calls over their broadband connection through Google Voice, as well as other service providers.[75]

Google Voice terminated support for some XMPP services in May 2014, disrupting service for 3rd party apps. Affected vendors included Talkatone, GrooveIP and Obihai.[76][77] Obihai initially recommended its users to switch to rival providers[78] but returned with official Google Voice support for its hardware analog telephone adapters on September 11, 2014.[79]

Software manufacturers offer applications, such as PCPhoneSoft.com's "GVJack" App that converts magicJack dongles to use Google Voice.[80] The GVJackApp for magicJack and the GVMate Phone Adapter are signalling independent and continued to work (using Google Hangouts) after support for XMPP was terminated.[81]

Call forwarding and voicemail

[edit]

If the telephone to which a call is forwarded does not connect within 25 seconds, then calls are routed to Google Voice's voicemail.[82] Users who want calls to be picked up by their home, work, or mobile phone voicemail systems or answering machines must turn off call screening in Google Voice and make sure that their phone's voicemail systems or answering machines pick up within 25 seconds.[82]

Partners and infrastructure

[edit]

Google Voice's partners that provide phone numbers, call-termination, call-routing, and other infrastructure include:

In 2009, Google reserved 1 million telephone numbers with Level 3 Communications which were presumed to be for Google Voice.[83]

Dispute between AT&T and Google about call blocking

[edit]
Main article: Traffic pumping § Role in dispute between AT&T and Google

AT&T petitioned the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)[84] to require Google (as it requires POTS providers) to allow calls to high-cost destinations, typically rural independent telephone companies with wholesale prices up to ten times above the national average. Google responded that it is not obligated to allow these calls.[85][86]

Exploitation

[edit]

Google Voice requires an existing "real" [non-VOIP] phone number and a generated PIN to register. However, many users simply employ one of numerous text verification websites to supply temporary "real" numbers.

Scammers wanting multiple anonymous unauthorized Google Voice numbers have tricked strangers into registering Google Voice numbers to their personal phone numbers.[87][88]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "Google Voice 2024.12.01.703490628". APKMirror. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
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  5. ^ "Announcing Google Workspace, everything you need to get it done, in one location". Google Cloud Blog.
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  10. ^ A few domestic calls are also billed at $0.01 per minute.
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Further reading

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[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Google_Voice&oldid=1263004008"