Google has today announced that its handy Google+ Circles contact management and organisation feature is now being added to Google Voice. This integration enables you to manage groups of friends and contacts who will be able to listen to your Google Voice calls. Additionally, it allows you to sort contacts to perform in different ways when you receive a call.
Enhanced Contact Management
For example, if you set up a Circle called “Creepers”, when anyone wants to call you who is a member of this circle, they would automatically be sent directly to voicemail. This can be particularly useful for managing unwanted calls without having to manually screen each one. On the other hand, for family and friends Circles, you might prefer these calls to go directly to your mobile phone, ensuring that you never miss an important call from loved ones.
The ability to customize how different groups of contacts are handled can significantly enhance your communication efficiency. Imagine having a Circle for work colleagues that routes calls to your office phone during business hours and to your mobile phone after hours. This level of customization ensures that you are always reachable by the right people at the right times.
Setting Up and Customizing Circles
The new Google+ Circles features will be rolling out to Google Voice very shortly. To take advantage of these new features, you can customize your settings by going to the Groups & Circles tab in your Google Voice settings. Here, you can create new Circles, add or remove contacts from existing Circles, and specify how calls from each Circle should be handled.
For instance, you might create a Circle for your gym buddies and set it so that calls from this Circle are only routed to your phone during the evenings when you’re more likely to be available for social activities. Alternatively, you could have a Circle for your children’s school contacts, ensuring that any calls from this Circle are given priority and routed to your mobile phone immediately.
The flexibility offered by Google+ Circles in Google Voice can also extend to your voicemail greetings. You can set up different voicemail greetings for different Circles, making your communication more personalized. For example, you might have a professional greeting for work contacts and a more casual one for friends and family.
Practical Applications and Benefits
The integration of Google+ Circles with Google Voice is not just about managing calls more effectively; it also enhances your overall communication strategy. For businesses, this feature can be a game-changer. Imagine being able to route customer service calls to a dedicated team while ensuring that calls from VIP clients are directed to senior management. This can improve customer satisfaction and streamline internal communication processes.
For personal use, the benefits are equally compelling. Parents can ensure that calls from their children’s school are never missed, while also managing social calls more effectively. Students can prioritize calls from study groups or professors, ensuring that they stay on top of their academic responsibilities.
Moreover, the integration can help in maintaining a work-life balance. By setting up Circles that route work-related calls to your office phone and personal calls to your mobile, you can ensure that you are not disturbed by work calls during your personal time and vice versa.
The addition of Google+ Circles to Google Voice is a significant enhancement that offers users greater control and customization over their communication. Whether for personal or professional use, this feature can help you manage your calls more effectively, ensuring that you are always reachable by the right people at the right times. Enjoy the new capabilities and make the most out of your Google Voice experience!
Source: Google
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