After nearly a year of hearing nothing from Grand Central, Google has announced that the latest generation of this service will be known as Google Voice.
Grand Central is a phone service that touted 'one phone number for life'. However, Grand Central provided more than just a phone number it gave users the ability to control who called them and where that call was routed to be answered.
I first came across Grand Central when I was in the process of changing mobile phone numbers. After providing all my contacts with my new Grand Central number I quickly learned of its limitations. The biggest problem I came across was the inability to receive text messages to my Grand Central number. While only a select few of my contacts actually text me I quickly realized this would not be a number I gave to most of my regular contacts.
I regularly followed the Grand Central blog as well as the the Grand Central help forum but after seeing little feedback from anyone at Grand Central I decided this would not become my one number for life. Instead I now use this number where I want to make sure I can screen the calls I receive.
I logged into my Grand Central account tonight and other than a message on the home page indicating the switch to Google Voice is coming nothing has changed. Google Voice appears to be a step in the right direction for this phone service. However, I am cautiously optimistic as the service is only as good as the support behind it.
Tags: Google Voice, Grand Central
Tags: Google Voice, Grand Central