I have had a Google Voice Phone Number for a good while now, almost 2 years I think. I love it. We’ve used it a lot and it totally saved us when my Blackberry died in Vegas. I was able to get on a hotel computer and text CSP’s dad using my Google voice number. Now that I have my iPhone (replaced that Crackberry as soon as we got back to CLT with the iPhone) I use my Google Voice number to text for free. I get 200 texts for $5 with my plan. But with my Google Voice App I can text all I want for free! Woot! I just sent out a message letting everyone know it’s me. Your Google voice number is a regular phone number. It’s a great number to have if you need to give out a contact number but you don’t want to give out a personal number. Win win!
Tag: Smartphone
Kik it
One of the apps I use every single day on my iPhone is called Kik. I LOVE this app. It’s free, it’s easy, and it does what it’s supposed to do. Kik is a free texting app. You can text any Kik user an unlimited number of texts no matter what type of phone they use. iPhone, iPod, Android. It has never crashed on me. It has a clean UI that reminds me of the iChat format. It has never not delivered a message. And it saves me a TON of money a month. Because I use Kik I’m able to use the $5 a month texting package. That allows me 200 texts a month. Then I use Kik for the rest of it. Awesome. Go here to get it then we’ll text!
Another app for under your tree
Foursquare is not new to me or the app world but I’m constantly surprised when I find out people I know with smart phones don’t use Foursquare. 
The main complaint I hear is “I don’t want everyone knowing where I am!” Well they don’t have to. You can check in all day long and never alert a single person out there in WWW land of your whereabouts. You can check in and have your check in appear on Twitter and/or Facebook and show up for your Foursquare friends. But you don’t have to. So why use this app? Many reasons my friends! Users add tips to venues like “Stay away from the salmon” or “Be sure to order the burger”. Those can be very helpful. It’s fun to be out and about, check in and see that a friend of yours is just one store over or even right where you are! You also earn badges & mayorships that can bring discounts and freebies. I’m a competitive person who loves a freebie so this is right up my alley!
Lots of brands (companies) are on Foursquare and if you follow them then you’ll unlock special badges & goodies. I had NO idea how many brands were linked with Foursquare until I stumbled upon this list. You must check it out! Plus the author lists all the active badges on 4SQ and how to get them. He’s put a ton of work into this and it is really helpful!
Bless Your Heart 