Sprint Phones Get Deep Google Voice Integration

In all the hubbub that surrounded the recent announcement that Sprint would be getting the Nexus S 4G is another important — heck, I think more important — announcement…that Google Voice would become integrated into all Sprint phones, not just the Nexus S 4G. This is pretty big news, as now all Sprint customers will gain access to Google Voice's awesome feature set.

This means that, rather than get a free number through Google Voice, your Sprint number will be your Google Voice number. The Google Voice blog explains:

First, Sprint customers will be able to use their existing Sprint mobile number as their Google Voice number and have it ring multiple other phones simultaneously. So now, calls to your Sprint mobile number can easily be answered from your office or your home phone, or even your computer through Gmail. Calls from Gmail and text messages sent from google.com/voice will also display your Sprint number. This basically gives Sprint customers all the benefits of Google Voice without the need to change or port their number.

Alternatively, Google Voice users can choose to replace their Sprint number with their Google Voice number when placing calls or sending text messages from their Sprint handset. This feature works on all Sprint phones and gives Sprint users all the benefits of Google Voice without the need for an app.

This also means Google Voice will become the default voicemail for Sprint customers, which means transcribed voicemail messages over email, playback over the Internet and much more. If you already have a Google Voice number, you can still use that number as well. Google Voice also adds cool features like customized greetings and easy number blocking.

As a Google Voice user myself, I have two numbers, my Sprint number (which I've had for years and give to friends and family) and my GV number (which I use for business and job-hunting related calls). I'm not entiiiiiiiiirely sure how this change would apply to someone in my circumstance, but it sounds things will pretty much be the same, as I already use GV for my primary voicemail for both numbers. It's really a great service.

You can head over to https://google.com/voice/sprint and sign up in order to find out when Google Voice's Sprint integration will be available for you. You can also watch this handy dandy Youtube video that gives you a bit more insight as to what's coming. With all that said, my fellow Sprint customers, how do you feel about this piece of news?