So I finally got around activating my beta Google Voice account.  I really didn’t have much of an idea of what it was before I signed up.

After you log in, the first thing it asks is for you to pick a phone number.  The phone number wizard allows you to pick a number based on area code or zipcode (geographically this will offer you a number that looks familiar to you).  In my case they had both 321 numbers and 407 numbers (both Central Florida area codes).

But, the cooler part is that you can type in a word and it will automatically find numbers that match your word.   I typed in “DIGGZ” and found myself a nice little Los Angeles 323 number … 323-96-DIGGZ.

So you get your number and then you have to map it to an existing phone number.  I mapped it to my existing cell phone, but I imagine you can use just about any number, Skype, Vonage or even a traditional land line.  But you probably want to map it to a phone that has SMS capabilities, because that’s one of the cooler features of Google Voice.

Once you map the number, Google Voice called my cell phone.  When I answered it prompted me for a 2 digit security number (presumably so you can’t just map it to some stranger’s phone without their permission).  Then it prompts you to record your name and a standard voicemail greeting.

Now what?

The Google Voice Interface looks a lot like GMail’s interface.  Inbound calls to my Google Voice Number are routed to my cell phone (you have the option of having it show the CallerID of the caller or your Google Voice Number when you receive a call).   I can also turn off the call routing and just have calls go directly to the Google Voice Voicemail box…the messages are accessible via the web interface or a phone interface (mobile web browsers too).

You can make outbound calls via the web interface as well, simply by putting the in number you wish to call and your phone will ring as Google Voice attempts to connect the call.

It appears that calls inside the US are free.  You can make international calls cheaply but you have to put money in your Google Voice account via Google Checkout. (Minimum is $10)

You can also send and receive SMS text messages via the web interface (this also appears to be free…but you still get charged your normal SMS text messaging charges through your cell phone carrier), and these are forwarded to my cell phone as well.

I created the above button in my account…they seem to be encouraging this type of behavior.  I’m not sure how I would actually use this, but it’s interesting.

So what does it all mean?  Why do I need this?  How is it making my life easier?

I don’t have an answer to that.  Obviously Google is trying to own yet another version of your identity…in this case your phone number.  Once they have that, then presumably they can start selling ads.   But will I use it?  I don’t know.  Yet.   Try giving me a call…we’ll see how this thing works together.