Google Voice (formerly GrandCentral) is a free Google-owned Internet service that uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to link customers' phone numbers together. GrandCentral was relaunched as Google Voice on March 11, 2009 with new features, including voicemail transcriptions and SMS managing. Since early March, Google has been in the process of transitioning current GrandCentral accounts to Google Voice.

Google originally announced that the service would start accepting new members "within weeks" of the announcing the service. On June 25, 2009, the Today Show, an American morning news and talk show, stated in their broadcast that Google Voice would be "available nationwide today." Google confirmed this on Twitter saying "Google Voice on NBC Today Show. Invites to people on reservations list starting to go out today." On July 1, 2009, Google Voice provided the option to change the number to users that had set up their account before.

For a $10 fee, users can change their number to any of the new numbers that Google purchased. Users of Google Voice are able to select a single U.S. phone number, from various area codes. When a Google Number is called, any or all of the user's phones may be set to ring.

Which phone(s) ring can be set based on the calling number, based on contact group (e.g. Family, Friends, Work, etc), and/or based on time of day (e.g. disabling a home phone during business hours and routing calls to mobile or business number). The service also features centralized voicemail and indexable, automated voicemail transcription, accessible by PC or phone. Google Voice incorporates long-desired abilities, such as automatic blocking of known telemarketer numbers, the ability to switch lines in mid-call, different voice mail greetings based on the caller, SMS forwarding, and even call recording.

Additionally, Gizmo5 customers can also forward calls to their Gizmo SIP number which can be answered using a free Gizmo5 client, Gizmocall (flash based client) or forwarded to any GoogleTalk, Skype or other SIP address so any VOIP client can be used. Similar in concept, free Personal Numbering services have been available in the UK since 1993. It is also similar to AT&T's True Connections 500 service offered in the 1990s, though Google Voice is more robust.[citation needed] AT&T's service required the direct involvement of AT&T to simply change the phone number list.

Google Voice, however, allows users to personally access all settings through the website, whenever they want.

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