GrandCentral- Google's least-known, free, valuable service

As a writer, I need to be able to talk to people at their convenience, and sometimes record our conversations so I can report accurately. Of course, I want these capabilities as cheaply as possible.

Therefore, I'm glad a friend recommended the free Internet service GrandCentral. Shortly after I began to use it, the company was bought by Google, but the service hasn't missed a beat in the transition.

GrandCentral gave me a new phone number, in my local area, free. I give out this number, which I chose to have automatically forwarded to both my cell and land lines so I can pick up either to take the call.

Since the call goes through GrandCentral's server, it can record the call for me simply by my pressing 4 on my keypad. After the call is complete, GrandCentral sends me an email with a link to the conversation, which I can replay at my leisure, a godsend for someone like me who can't take legible notes.

GC also includes an answering service to take a message when I'm not available, one I can access online from wherever I am, including by phone. Another cool feature I haven't used yet is the ability to customize different greetings for different callers.

The price is right; free, and the service is a great aid for anyone on the go all the time. Check it out.