Category: USA

Google Adds Skype To Google Voice App For BlackBerry Smartphones

The National Business Review released an article placing some detail on Google’s aim at Skype with the new voice app for BlackBerry. With the Google app, you now have the ability to call and text with your Google voice number, voicemail transcriptions, and even cheap international calls with Google’s low international rates.

Currently this app with the Skype is only available to US consumers, and only a select few, it’s clear to see it’s a move into Skype territory.

If you use more than one mobile phone, Google voice allows you to use one number for ALL of them, and also gives you the ability to make outgoing text messages and calls, along with the low international rates of Google that start at about $.02 per minute!

Google Voice actually integrates with your address book, allowing you to call from the phone, and the individual receiving the call sees your Google number, not your actual cell phone number. You can keep your cell phone number private in that way, keeping business from personal. You can see your call history, and using the transcription feature, read your voice mail. This is a neat feature, it actually displays the text of the voicemail and as you listen to it, it highlights each word like karaoke style.

Skype calling is only available in the WiFi areas unless your plan includes unlimited data. But you can call anywhere you have service.

So this is great for the international traveler as well, whether business or pleasure. If you have service and there is data coverage, the international plan of $10 a month will allow you to use the Google Voice without the international attendant charge.

Don’t worry, I’m sure it won’t be long before the app extends beyond the US.

[via: The National Business Review]