Google Voice Add-on for Firefox

I found an addon called Google Voice Add-on for Firefox 0.5.0 that functions like the one Skype installs into your browser. Click a phone number on any web page and connect automatically through your Google Voice account. Here's the authors description,

Click a phone number on any page to place a call using Google Voice. Displays your number in the status bar and lists your most recent call when hovered. Select text to send as a text message or dial and text from the status bar.

Well it will eventually work like that. Currently one has to select the number and double-click the Google Voice icon in the lower right corner, then click ok. Also an option to disable the 'Click Okay to Call xxx-xxx-xxxx' would be nice. Make it work like the feature you're copying!

One caveat is the addon requires that you Enter your Google Account e-mail address & password (In other words it's stored unencrypted in plain text in the browsers configuration files; blecch, what a gaping lack of security)! Hmmm, couldn't this just be a Google Toolbar Button?

GrandCentral Shutting Down September 15th! Free Google Voice Account!

It looks like GrandCentral is shutting down for good. They will still allow access to Grandcentral's call logs and voicemails, as they state in the Upgrade To Google Voice message in the GC Inbox (eg, Please note that all voicemails and call logs will still be available on GrandCentral after you upgrade) and in the email below:


from voice-noreply@grandcentral.com
Subject GrandCentral is shutting down. Upgrade to Google Voice.

Dear GrandCentral User (xxxxxxxxxxxx):

We are in the process of shutting down the GrandCentral service as we migrate all users to the new and improved Google Voice. Please upgrade your GrandCentral service to Google Voice now, by logging into your GrandCentral account and following the instructions at the top of your Inbox.

In one month, on September 15th, we will be turning off the telephony service of GrandCentral, and you will not be able to use any of the GrandCentral features. We will be leaving the GrandCentral website intact so that you may continue to access older voicemail messages for the time being.

If you would like to continue to use your GrandCentral number, it is important to upgrade to Google Voice now. It's free, has the GrandCentral features you are familiar with, plus several new features, like voicemail transcription, SMS, conference calling, and mobile applications for Blackberry and Android phones. To find out more, go to www.google.com/voice/about.

Thanks!

The GrandCentral/Google Voice Team



Also if anyone needs an unused GrandCentral Account in the 985 area code, post a comment on this post with your email address (preferably a disposable mailinator.com address), and you can have it. I will change the login and contact email to yours, and give you the password. (use the alternate address so no one else can read it, eg M8R-xxxxxx@mailinator.com

To Carol and Heather on the Google Voice Blog I have one question, will you guys be starting your own blog about your experiences? You should!

Google Voice Blog: Google Voice for Newbies: Introduction