It looks like GV will be a payed program. I tried clicking on the change number, and am told that it costs $10. http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=115114

I guess that means registration won't be free either. I guess it won't be like other Google programs. I was really looking forward to being able to click call links in GMail, and having one contact program that could email,call,cand mark on calendar.

Maybe they'll give beta testers free like microsoft :) http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/30/showing-our-thanks-to-windows-7-beta-testers.aspx

Changing your number costs $10, but the service is free.

The linked page is talking about a $10 charge if you want to *change* your Google Voice number. The first Google Voice number is free. Assuming it works like GrandCentral, you will be able to pick an area code, and then pick from a bunch of available phone numbers. The only other planned charges that I know of are for international calls which are priced at around the Skype rate for calls to phones outside the U.S..

When Google Voice was GrandCentral, their main focus was providing a free phone number for life. I am certain that Google will continue this. There may be premium add ons in the future, but the number will remain free.

My point was that if they charge to change a number, it would not be a very fiscal decision to allow you to just register a new one for free.

Ahron:

If changing the number was free, people would change it very often, even if it's not necessary. When you need to pay a small fee, you'll change the number only when it's really necessary.