Google Debuts New Free Service

Google has begun a new service, Google Voice, which assigns users a single U.S. phone number that can simultaneously ring on phones in various locations -- home, office or on a cellular device. Another feature stores and transcribes voicemail in e-mail form. The service is available in limited capacity, but Google is currently giving priority invites to active-duty members of the military. Troops with a .mil e-mail address can visit the Military.com Google Voice site to sign up for a free Google Voice account. Because Google Voice is free, phone calls between friends and family who live overseas or in another state will not cost a small fortune.