Vanity: Google Voice- anyone here use it?

Google ^ | FEB. 11, 2014 | Google

[Jed Eckert]

Features

Explore some of the most popular features of Google Voice by watching these videos:

Overview
Voicemail transcription
One number
Personalized greetings
International calling
SMS to email
Share voicemails
Block callers
Screen callers
Mobile app
Conference calls
Number Porting

[Jed Eckert]

I don't really like Google. I don't even use the Google search engine. However, I need an easy way to block specific numbers from calling my cell phone. Lately I've been getting weird unfamiliar numbers calling my cell, usually right around 9:00PM. No messages left on voice mail.

My number has been on the do not call list since day one. My wife and I don't owe any unpaid debts. Complaint filed for whatever good it does.

My cell is a T-Mobile Prism phone NOT tied into any sort contract so I have no call block options built into the phone. That means I'll have load a third party app (for Android) or use Google Voice.

Your suggestions and opinions are appreciated.

[Paine in the Neck]

I try not to use Google anything.

Do More Evil®

[anton]

Robo callers do not rely on actual numbers, only groups of potential numbers. So, if T Mobile uses an area code and prefix in a geographical area that has attractive demographics, all of the numbers in that block will be targets of spam, scam, and robo callers.

[tgusa]

There’s a pretty good app named ‘Call Control’. It automatically blocks a grunch of known spam callers, and you can report an annoying number. The amount of spam calls that make it through on my phone has gone down a huge amount.

[Hang'emAll]

Used Google voice to send me txt and email notifications of voice mail because at the time my Sprint phone was unreliable to receive calls or notify of voicemail.

The notifications worked fine but the transcriptions were usually wrong because few people speak as the system needs for correct transcription.

[Former MSM Viewer]

I have a Google #.

I always give it to those whom I dont want to give my ‘main’ number. Businesses that I suspect will sell my number.

When a call comes in, it gets forwarded to whatever number I want it forwarded to. If I dont answer, it goes to voicemail and then I get a text (voice recognition) with the message.

It is a great screening tool.

So if I get repeated calls from a certain number, I can block it.

[kingu]

And if someone is calling from an unlisted number, you can have Google Voice block the call, or request the caller give their name first. Very quick method of getting off of call lists, as they will treat it as a disconnected number.

[madison10]

Google is the collector of information for the evil empire. (kidding, sort of) Don’t use it, don’t want to...ever.

[Maurice Tift]

   I use something called an Obihai. It plugs into my internet connected network on one end and the other end plugs into a standard wireless phone base. My Google voice number rings my standard phone now. It's like a free phone line.

[TomGuy]

There was a recent posting about telephone scams. It seems the scammer would call a number, let it ring once, and hang up. The intent was to have the recipient call back. When that happened, the recipient was changed $39.99 and/or so many $$$dollars per minute.

Point: If you do not recognizer the caller number, ignore it. Do not return the call.

You can also check online lists. Just google the unknown number. Many such numbers have been noted by other recipients and many are labeled as fake or scams.

==

[mac_truck]

Getting Google voice will not help you block phone calls made directly to your cell phone number. Only calls made to your Google voice number will be blockable. At least that is my understanding.

[smoothsailing]

nomorobo.com

[Maurice Tift]

almost forgot to mention - you can put this sound at the start of your recorded message to deter telemarketers: out of service tones

[dangerdoc]

I’m not familiar with your phone. I prefer visual voice mail to Google voice, the transcription isn’t great and I can’t see the screen unless I have my reading glasses.

I set ringtones for the people I know, the general ring tone is a recording of silence. If I feel the phone buzz, and I have my glasses I can check the number to see if I want to answer, if I don’t feel like checking, the silent ringtone doesn’t interrupt what I’m doing.

With visual voicemail, I get a list of missed calls with the option to listen to or delete individual messages.

[sten]

you’ve had a voice profile for over 10 years if you’ve used a phone.

google voice would just be a commercial version of it

[109ACS]

I have been using a Google Voice number for several years. My business number is a Google Voice number. Blocking numbers, forwarding calls, personalized voice mail, etc. etc. are all handy features. When I retire in 3 months, I will forward it to some pay phone in the Arizona desert and retire in peace.

A great app for Android is the free app called “Mr Number”. It has a very easy way to block individual numbers or entire area codes. In about 5 minutes, I blocked all the area codes from the Carribean, stopping all those scammers. This morning my phone rang a partial ring and hung up. The alert from Mr Number indicated that it was a reported telemarketer. All the well known telemarketer numbers are blocked. Love the app.

[Solson]

I have and use Google Voice. It’s a good service. What questions do you have?

[billorites]

I've used Google voice since the beta days and am very satisfied with it.

I often use it for outgoing calls as it still offers free calling to U.S. and Canada numbers.

Receiving voice mail as an attachment is convenient and the transcriptions are often a hoot.

Oh, I like that it's free.

[SgtHooper]

I have a Windows phone. I followed the online suggestion to download the “silent” ringtone, assign it to a new name (e.g., DNC), and each time I get a spam call, save that number to the DNC name. I no longer hear or have to mess with any spam calls form those numbers that come in.

[TheCause]

Bookmarked.