My universal phone number: (623) BLAINE-D, Thanks Google Voice!

Google has done it again. Like any V1, Google Voice’s first release is a little rough around the edges, but still amazing.

Here are a few things I’d like to see as they refine it (apart from the obvious telepathic calling, intergalactic calls, video calls, remote presence call and virtual immersion):

Google Talk Integration: Maybe Google isn’t evil after all and wants to give Skype a chance….but Google Talk/VOIP seems like a no brainer at this point and probably the service’s greatest potential.

Extensions: Who has a direct office line these days? Sure, I understand that not everyone takes calls at nights and on weekends like we FreeCausers – but the freedom to move away from an office landline, even if it’s just around the office from 9-5, is something everyone could enjoy.

Virtual Fax Capability: Faxes delivered as e-mail text/pdf attachments. It’s efficient, secure, you can receive them anywhere and would save loads paper!

More Robust Record Options: Why would you only allow recording incoming calls and just forget about outgoing calls?

More Robust Transcription Options: Even more helpful than recording, is the transcribing. Sure, having my voice messages in text format is cool – but with SMS not too many people leave voicemails anyway, and if they do, most of the time they aren’t super substantial. With search being at the center of Google’s world, it seems only natural to TRANSCRIBE EVERYTHING (READ YOUR CALLS!) so that specific conversations or topics can easily be accessed later.

Number Change/Multiple Numbers: It's always nice to have a local number for one reason or another. If you move, or go away to college, your GVoice Number could become less relevant unless you have the option to get a new number - or better yet - a 1800 Number, then keep your old GV number and have it forward.