Android, BlackBerry Get Google Voice Apps

By Andrew R Hickey, CRN July 15, 2009

Google Voice is going mobile.

The Google Voice service once known as Grand Central will see its first mobile applications later today, ultimately making it easier for users to use their Google Voice phone number from their smartphones, TechCrunch reported.

Essentially, the applications will route outbound calls through Google and to the recipient and link the parties together. What that means is Google Voice users now have single-number reach to anywhere.

Google Voice users can now route calls to their mobile device, their home and other phones based on who is calling and when via the same number. The only hang-up, according to TechCrunch, is that when Google voice users call out, the recipients of the call don't see a Google Voice number on caller ID. Instead, they see whatever number the user is calling from.

Later today, the two Google Voice apps will be released for BlackBerry and Google Android smartphones. According to TechCrunch, the Android version is most complete and takes over the native dialer, address book and call log and users won't accidentally dial numbers through the device phone number.

The Google Android application will be available through the Android Market application store, while the BlackBerry application will be downloaded via the Web.

The BlackBerry application will access only the native address book and use its own dialer, meaning users can't just go into the call log and return missed calls. Instead, they have to go to the address book and select Google Voice to make the call.

Along with extending single-number reach to BlackBerry and Android-based devices, the Google Voice applications will also let users access other Google Voice features like listening to and reading voice mails and text messages, accessing call history, sending SMS messages and placing lower-cost international calls.