Some previous discussion:
http://blogoscoped.com/forum/100473.html

TechCrunch Crystal Ball™ lol

Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't this be the perfect venue to deliver audio ads? Get a free number, free incoming calls and all...as long as you listen to a quick ten second ad...

I think you've hit the nail on the head Eytan. Thinking about it, it would also be good for Google to push its 411 service.

Eytan: as a GC user myself since it came out, i believe it will hurt and anger many existing GC users if Google delivers audio ads before connecting the calls. i would leave GC if they start to do so.

Whenever there is a rumor that Google is acquiring some company, I try to sign up, assuming that they'll limit registration once it is official. Luckily I did that with GrandCentral. So..... if anyone wants an invite, let me know and I'll send one. It looks like I can do 5, so the first 5 people to email me at gcbetarequestgmail.com will get invited. If I get more invites I'll send them out.

I was trying to log in after the new, but ...
<<This account is locked. Too many failed login attempts were made. Please contact support for assistance.>>
LOL!

Techcrunch Crsystal ball alright! :p

It's a common fear that whenever Google acquires something the company will populate it with ads. There's nothing wrong really with this kind of speculation because Google indeed is an advertising company (among other things). But I think Google has been careful enough to not harm the user experience too much (if at all) by adding the ads. Google has lots of creative individuals working on making advertisements work for the user rather than against them. Again, they do that because they don't want to lose their users which would also mean losing their source of revenue.

I took a quick glance at what GC is offering and it's really amazing what they come up with. They have very innovative and useful features, including visual voicemail. I think they're a worthy Google acquisition. Lucky Google. :)

I have some invites email me at "username" @gmail.com

I am done with my invites others please share

They disabled my favorite feature! You can no longer upload your own mp3's as ringers :(