What is Google Voice? For those who know or those who don't, it's time to try it again.

For those who would rather listen than read in other languages * you will be redirected to another page, click the "warning" about pages being trimmed, then look for the page to loading button in the upper right corner of the application, once loaded- click "say it" to play

I signed up for Google Voice when it first came out a few years ago. Back then I thought the concept was great, however I lived in an area that people didn't adjust to a change that easily, particular when the number looked different from what they were used to seeing. So even after trying it and loving it, I gave up using it until recently. Now that Skype and other VOIPs services are more accepted, most people are finding non typical numbers are being assigned to new services. For example now that my phone service is through Time Warner Cable,  my present phone number begans with 648 versus the typical 249, 798, 859, 243, or 246 that was so typical in my area.  It's because of VOIPs and Cell Phone Carriers that a Google Voice Number now is deemed no different from any other number in the same area code.  The possibilities of google voice are endless. You will find even international calling is cheaper than  texting in most cases. Land Line rates for UK, Spain, Portugal and Italy are only 2 cents a minute and the cost to most of mobiles in these places are 10 cents to 15 cents. Skype and Vonage can't even match these rates. The only way to call cheaper is skype to skype, however the other person has to be on skype.  It's nice not to have to talk on your cell phone, when google voice will ring your home phone or business phone when placing a call. A google voice number takes all your phone numbers with you everywhere you go, this is especially nice when you don't want to give out a personal phone number. That's why I'm saying if you don't know about google voice, you should try it and even if you knew about it like me, you might find it worth another look. Google Voice has definitely come of age and can truly be the only phone number you will ever need to remember, especially on those gorgeous days when you want to pretend to be at the office.

Google Voice Mobile Rates - International
https://www.google.com/voice/rates

*Google Voice is only available in the U.S.