How to get more out of Google Voice

Google Voice is a fantastic way to manage your phone life. The service offers the ability to route any incoming call to any phone or straight to voicemail, if you prefer, and you can create rules based on the caller. Other standout features include SMS, voicemail via e-mail, call recording, call screening and the ability to switch phones mid call.

In addition to the easy-to-use, Gmail-like interface, Google Voice can be used to search for past messages, keep a store of all your text messages and otherwise organize your life.

There are also some things your can do with Google Voice that might not be apparent at first glance, but can make the service even more powerful.

===Infinite mobile minutes===

Perhaps the best Google Voice hack involves taking advantage of some loopholes in your mobile contract. Follow these steps and you'll never need to use any of your mobile plan's minutes again. Note that this will only work if you have a plan that offers free calling to select numbers. 

The trick is to add your Google Voice number to your list of free numbers, then have everyone call your Google Voice number. From your mobile provider's perspective it will look like only one person ever calls you and since that number is part of your plan, viola, no more worrying about how many minutes you've used.

===Pure Google Voice mobile===

The Google Voice app might have been banned from Apple's App Store, but if you've jailbroken your phone, it's available through the Cydia app store. Android users can grab a legit copy through the Android marketplace.

Although neither app is quite as seamless as just using your mobile, you won't have to pay to use the Google Voice number (and if you're on Wifi you won't be charged minutes either). This tactic is also handy for international calls. Google Voice isn't free when calling overseas (see [Google Voice's international rates http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=141925]), but it's cheaper than most mobile carriers.

===Web calling===

Firefox users can install the Firefox add-on [Google Voice for Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11167] which makes any number on the web into a link that will automatically dial from your Google Voice number. Shortly after your phone rings and then the call is connected.

===Future Outlook===

Eventually it will easy to forward your Google Voice number to any phone in the world. It's actually possible right now, but it's increadibly complicated and requires linking together three separate online services, any of which might fail. Google Voice is serious threat the current revenue model of mobile carriers, expect Google to push them and the carrier to fight back with better deals and cheaper rates.