Up until now, if you wanted to use Google Voice, you needed to choose a new number (a “Google number”). Taking calls through your Google number allows us to offer features like call recording, call screening and getting text messages via email. But we know not everyone wants to switch to a new phone number, so it made sense for us to create a lighter version of Google Voice for people who are willing to trade some features for the ability to use their existing numbers.
Official Google Blog: Use Google Voice with your existing number (via creativesage)
This is huge—though if you’re like me, and already have a gvoice account—there is not a direct way to just switch the account number over to one that you’d like port into gvoice. You can only change your gVoice number to another number already owned by google.
I am probably going to send a gVoice invite to myself at another gmail account and then start a new gvoice account with the phone number I want to use.
Source: creativesage
