I've had a Google Voice number for years and just started using their smart phone app. I give this number out as a 'throw away' number for the usual reasons. I have never thought much about dialing out from the app, but curiosity got me last night as to what number would be displayed when calling OUT. I figured that it would still display my real cell number, but to my surprise, it showed my actual Google Voice number to the called party. Very, very good news I thought.

The app imported my phone directory from my iPhone contacts, which is also great. What has me stumped is what happens when I call out. I dial or select the number I wish to call, then hit the send button. At this point, another box pops up with a totally unrelated number, a strange one, like the ones you get from the car warranty people. When that unrelated number pops up, I then have to press either the CALL button or CANCEL. Am I calling the 800 number that I wanted or am I calling the 786 area code number that is displayed? Note: Despite the fact that I'm pressing CALL for the strange number, I still reach the correct number and caller ID is properly displayed. I'm just curious more than anything, but I'd sure like to know what's going on. If this is normal, then it means that there are two numbers associated with every regular number out there. Any ideas?

Ed Vaughn, MBSWWYPBX