Google just announced an overhaul of their Google Voice service after rendering it dormant for the last five years. Google stated they are bringing in a fresh set of features with updates to their apps on Android, iOS and the web.
Google Voice Interface
The long dormant Google Voice service has been given a fresh coat of paint and bringing it in line with other Google applications. According to Wired, the biggest change to Google Voice is its simple aesthetics. The new app is much cleaner and simpler to use.
Google Voice inbox has now been organized into three separate tabs for text messages, calls, and voicemails. All conversations in each tab stay in one continuous thread making it simpler to view messages from contacts all in one place.
The newly refurbished Google Voice can:
Easily check messages, calls, and voicemail - The Google Voice update now makes it easier for users to keep things organized. The upgraded Google Voice transported some features available now to those who switched to Hangouts.
Keep in touch with group messages - One of its biggest features now is the ability to send group and photo MMS messages on all platforms in Google Voice. Images are now shown inline just as easily in normal text conversations, and sending one is just as easy as any texting tool.
The old version Google Voice only allows SMS, unless you have a separate Sprint account or use workarounds by sending emails with MMS attachments. Additionally, group conversations now flow smoothly as they are labeled clearly and should work the way it is expected to.
Save time with transcribed voicemail - Alongside these change, Google says they are also introducing voicemail transcription to in Spanish in Google Voice, Gizmondo reported. Google says Spanish transcription will improve its accuracy over time.
According to a blog post over at Google's The Keyword, Google Voice product manager Jan Jerzejowicz said Google is going to provide new updates to Google Voice apps. He also called out to Hangouts users, informing them that there is no need to switch to the new apps but invited them to try them out as they continue to bring in new improvements.
Google Voice has already begun rolling out the update and assured users they will be available for everyone in the coming weeks. See the video below to see Google Voice in action.