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Got my invite to the Grand Central beta

February 17, 2008

Yesterday I finally scored an invite into the beta for Google’s Grand Central. It’s a service where you get one phone number that you give out to your contacts, and then you control which of your “real” numbers that call will be forwarded to. For example, I have my default set up so that it will attempt to ring both my cell and work numbers. The theory is that you only need to give out that one main number, and as your other numbers change (i.e., you change jobs) then you can just forward the public number so it rings up the correct “real” number.

The cool part is that you can apply really fine-grained control over the forwarding. You could for example set it up so that your wife’s calls go to both your cell and work, but your secret mistress’ calls only get forwarded to work and not your cell. Plus you can store voicemail on the GrandCentral system, which can then be accessed via the Web site and even forwarded like email.

I haven’t played around much yet with the service but so far I think it looks pretty good. I like the fact that I was able to get a Tennessee number. I’d been wondering whether I would need to change my cell phone, since it has a Louisville area code. But now thanks to Grand Central I have a Tennessee number I can give out that just forwards automagically to my cell.

The question of course will be how much all this convenience costs once the service gets out of beta. For now it’s all free but Google wouldn’t have bought the company if they didn’t have some plans how to monetize it all.

Anyway I do apparently have 10 invites I can give out. So if you’re interested in the service lemme know and I can send you one of the invites.

Comments RSS

  1. Simon

    I’d love to get one of your invites. I’ve heard some great things about this, and just recently relocated myself and my business, and would love to start roping in my various communications to improve the workflow!

  2. Craig Gardner

    Hope all is going well for you in Nashville. I am interested in trying out the GrandCentral beta if you have invites left. I actually hadn’t seen it until on your site. Did a little reading and it sounds very interesting.

  3. Craig Gardner

    Posting this with my gmail acct for the invite. As you know, I have no idea how our good old LN system will handle that :(

  4. John

    I would be very interested in Grand Central i have been quite happy with all the google betas so far. It would be a godsend with all the times you need to give out your number when you have 2 kids in school.

  5. Erik Eckel

    I’ve been using Grand Central for about a month. Very nice service. Just a little too long of a delay in receiving an answering message, though, in my opinion (callers hear about ten rings, I think, before Grand Central answers the call if my phone’s not answered and the call’s forwarded to Grand Central).

  6. the google guy

    Grand Central is awesome. Try out other cool google products like Google docs

  7. George Corzine

    I would be very interested in receiving one of your Grand Central invites if you still have them available. I’m designing for the mobile space and interested in this app and the interface.

  8. jamie ray

    do you have any invites left? i am moving to Colorado, but would like to keep my KY number so that family and friends don’t have to call long distance to talk to me. sounds like this type of service would really help with that.

  9. Leo Molina

    Can you please send me an invite? Thank you so very much!

  10. matt

    i would like one please, doesnt matter what the number is really, thanks

  11. Steve

    Just the servce I need. If you can send an invite, I’d love it.

  12. Steve

    Oops.How about a 408 area code for the number or do I select that?

  13. kellybean

    ME! ME! ME! OH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CAN I HAVE AN INVITE TO GRAND CENTRAL! I HAVE BEEN TRYING BEFORE PRIVATE PHONE SHUT DOWN. TRYING TO GET MYSELF AN INVITE IS LIKE BEING CONSTIPATED YOU TRY AND TRY BUT IT NEVER HAPPENS! SO PLEASE RELIEVE ME AND SEND ME AN INVITE! THANK YOU SOOO VERY MUCH!

  14. RexWorld

    Sorry folks but all my invites are now used up

  15. Donald Roth

    Hi ya! I wondered accorss your blog, pretty cool. Do you have any Google Grand Central invites left? I would sure appreciate one.

    Thanks.

    drothjr@ampli.com

    Donald ROth

  16. george

    hey do you have any grandcentral invites left please? i would love one. goshiberu AT gmail DOT com

  17. raj

    hi, do you have any GrandCentral invites left or if you got any in future ? I would love one

    Thanks
    Raj@gmail.com

  18. keoki

    Do you or anyone else have an invite? Can you send me one? my email is A.K.Pop@gmail.com.

  19. Lace

    hey, is it possible for anyone to invite me?
    i need a number. I will trade for some custom vinyl decals. let me know if anyone can work something out with me. Thanks.

  20. Reggie Wallis

    Please send me an invite, I would greatly appreciate it. Upon sign up, I will gladly repay with invites back to you!

  21. Reggie Wallis

    Please send me an invite, I would greatly appreciate it. Upon sign up, I will gladly repay with invites back to you!

    intelliwerks@gmail.com

  22. Scott

    If you have any more invites I would appreciate it.

  23. Ariel Joseph

    Good Afternoon Everyone,
    I have been waiting for a Grand Central invitation for sometime…Can someone please invite me? I think this would be a better option than a dual sim…
    Thanks!
    Ariel
    ariel_joseph@hotmail.com

  24. Rex

    Sorry everybody but I’m all out of invites.

  25. Rex Jariwala

    Hey how are you people doing. I just stumbled on the Grand Central stuff and would love to get an invite if possible from any of those in this blog. I would love to use this in conjunction with my small business and home. Thank you in advance for any persons with goodwill.

    Rex

    Rexjariwala@gmail.com

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