Google announces that they are releasing a preview of Google Voice, "an application that helps you better manage your voice communications".
Based on top of the GrandCentral service that Google acquired in July of 2007, Google Voice will still do what GrandCentral did (a single number to ring your home, work, and mobile phones, a central voicemail inbox that you could access on the web, and the ability to screen calls by listening in live as callers leave a voicemail) but will add googly goodness:
The new application improves the way you use your phone. You can get transcripts of your voicemail (see the video below) and archive and search all of the SMS text messages you send and receive. You can also use the service to make low-priced international calls and easily access Goog-411 directory assistance.
Check out the Features page for a run-down of what's new with Google Voice.
I just started to get interested in the GrandCentral service when it was acquired by Google. Google has kept the service running, but has disallowed new subscribers. With the launch of Google Voice, Google will be allowing new users again... the launch should be in the next few days.
Out of the new features, I'm particularly interested in the voicemail transcribing.
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