Comments on: Google Voicemail Review

By: whyJoe

whyJoe — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:23:18 +0000

Fast-forward 6 months and Google Voice hasn’t introduced a single new feature. The web interface is still so bad that you can’t even mark all messages as read. Seriously. I am wondering if Voice is just a way for Google to get free data for voice recognition and/or marketing, the way they used 1-800-GOOG-411 (now discontinued.)

It’s a wonder the features haven’t been upgraded and Google Voice well-integrated into Android phones, as this could be a major diferentiation point.

I still use Google Voice because of the price: free. But I can’t wait to jump ship the moment my phone platform gets integrated visual voicemail.

By: Johnnyjuice

Johnnyjuice — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:24:33 +0000

Greg, I agree.

Until Google can get a feature set that is comparable to other services I can’t see it taking off. It seems that Google is just launching a lot of trial & error services (Voice, Buzz, Wave) and seeing what sticks.

I think that this approach to new services leaves a lot to be desired. Too many of their new services dont live up to their advertisements & expectations.

By: GregB

GregB — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:03:09 +0000

The ONLY good thing about Google Voice is its price (free). Everything else is a disappointment. I used the “Webley” (now called “CommuniKate”) for years and loved its rich feature set: complex routing rules based upon incoming phone number or prefix, easy & accurate voice command recognition, easy navigation, no restrictions on number of accounts having same cell or landline numbers registered to them, integrated fax service, excellent text to voice mail reader, easy conference calling, support of group numbers, easy on-the-fly call forwarding or “follow me” based upon caller ID, dedicated 800 inbound number, etc, etc, etc. Only problem was cost: 10cents/min on every call.

Google has been a HUGE disappointment (as are most of Google’s offerings outside of Search). At the forefront of my complaints: no voice recognition, so each time a call comes in and I’m in my car connected with Bluetooth, I have to fish in my pocket for my phone to use the number pad instead of being able to speak “one” or “two” to route calls. Also, the inability to register a moble number with more than one account or the ability to register a home number with more than two Google Voice accounts (I have a family with 4 members and a single home landline to share). What was Google thinking?

I’ll probably drop Google Voice soon and go back to a paid service that is feature-rich enough to be useful.

By: Johnnyjuice

Johnnyjuice — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:01:34 +0000

I have tried Youmail before, before they released their iPhone app. I haven’t tried their transcription service because you have to pay for subscriptions while Google Voice is free.

By: victor brunetti

victor brunetti — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:46:56 +0000

We’re all Victims Johnny.

By: Lee Dorfman

Lee Dorfman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:19:07 +0000

You might want to try Youmail or Quicktate. Youmail offers many of the same features as google voice and then some. Quicktate does most of their voicemail transcription and it is extremely accurate.