Google Voice Lite Lets You Keep Your Number

Google Voice A new lite version of Google Voice lets users
take advantage of some of the service's best features without
changing their phone numbers.

So you want all the bells and whistles that come along with
Google Voice: call recording, call screening, text messages
via email, etc. However, after years of broadcasting your
familiar digits via business cards, email footers, and
crumpled cocktail napkins, you just can't bear to switch from
your old cell number to a new "Google number," the requisite
for taking advantage of the service. At least, it was
requisite; Google is now offering a lite version of Google
Voice that lets users retain their phone numbers while taking
advantage of some features of Google Voice.

Now, when you sign up for Google Voice, you will have the
option to choose a Google number or to keep your own old
number. Keeping your own number means you give up amenities
like in-call voice recording and call forwarding. However,
you get to keep the cream of Google Voice's offerings: Google
Voicemail. The voicemail option will transcribe voicemails
(to the best of its computer ability) just seconds after
recording them and either text or email them to you. From
there, it's easy to organize them on your PC or within your
phone. You can also still set up personalized voicemail
greetings for individual phone numbers.

Existing Google Voice users can also add Google Voicemail to
individual numbers they've linked to their accounts. For
those not in the Google Voice loop, it's invite-only, but you
can request one here.