GrandCentral

Guide Note

GrandCentral offers a free VoIP based telephone service that links your current phone numbers (cell, work, home) to a single phone number you can keep for life. GrandCentral offers users a variety of tools for managing calls, allowing sophisticated call screening, the ability to ring any (or all) of your phones based on caller or time of day, and the use of a single internet accessible voice mail box for all incoming calls. GrandCentral also allows users to customize their messages to individual callers, including providing a convincing "this number is disconnected" message for people you never want to talk to again.

GrandCentral was founded by Craig Walker and Vincent Paquet and introduced at the 2006 DEMO Conference in San Diego, California. The start-up was initially funded by Halsey Minor's Minor Ventures for an undisclosed amount (reported to be under $6 million) and then purchased by Google in July, 2007 for approximately $50 million.

Fast Facts

1. Founders: Craig Walker and Vincent Paquet
2. CEO: Craig Walker
3. Beta Launched: September, 2006
4. Headquarters: Fremont, California
5. Acquired by Google: July, 2007
6. Won CNET's Webware 100 Award for Communications

Features

1. A single phone number linking all phones
2. One voice mail box, accessible by internet, email, or phone
3. Unlimited saving of messages
4. Messages can be customized by caller or time of day
5. Ability to listen in as voice messages are being left
6. Calls can be sent to any or all phones based on criteria you set
7. Block unwanted callers or send to SPAM box
8. One click dial from contact list
9. Easily switch calls between phones
10. Ability to record phone calls
11. Interoperability with Gizmo