The Basics
Google Voice will work with the following operating systems: Windows XP, Vista, Mac, and Linux. It also uses the following Web browsers: IE6 & above, Firefox 3 & above, Safari 3 & above, and Google Chrome. In addition, it requires Flash 8 (or an above edition).
Note: Google Voice is currently available by invite only and is only available for sign up in the U.S. If you want to use Google Voice, all you need to do is fill out the Google Voice invitation request (it only requires the user's name and email).
Why use Google Voice? Google Voice gives users one number for all their phones. It is a free service by Google that simplifies the use of a phone, voicemail and SMS; in addition, it gives users the chance to create personalized greetings and make cheap international calls.
Once an invite request has been made, a user can choose whether or not to have a custom number from Google. Users who would rather use the number assigned to them by their mobile carrier can do so by selecting that option during Google Voice setup. This, however, will leave users with limited Google Voice functions. Users that receive a Google number will have only one number for all their phones.
Features of Google Voice: Users will be able to receive SMS messages via email, block unwanted callers, listen in as callers leave them a message, record calls, and be able to change phones during the call without disruption or the caller knowing it.
Using a Google number
vs.
Non-Google number
With Google Voice, a user is able to get all their calls through a single number. All that is required by the user is to click the Settings link on the right side of the page, and click the Phones tab to change the phone settings. Here, users will be able to add the numbers they want.
Also with Google Voice, there is voicemail. Google Voice will send an email notification when the user has a new voicemail. All that a user needs to do to retrieve his/her voicemail is to call the Google number and sign in to Google Voice.
Google Voice Help Forum: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/voice?hl=en
Google Voice Help: http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/static.py?page=known_issues.cs
Google Voice Videos: http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
Google Voice Blog: http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/