GV Mobile+ for iPhone made its first appearance in the app store a while back before it got quickly pulled, along with any other Google Voice type app. Google cried foul, the FCC got involved, and we saw no type of Google voice app for quite a while. Since Apple revised their App Store approval process, GV Mobile+ has made it's second debut in the App Store.

GV Mobile+ is one app you can use to connect to Google Voice. For those of you not familiar with the service, it basically allows you to choose a Google Voice phone number (free) with which you can use to forward calls to any number. The Google Voice service used to be under the name Grand Central. I think the Grand Central name was a little less confusing. Keep in mind, Google Voice is not a VoIP service, so you'll still use your plan minutes. The main idea behind it is you can give everyone one number and it'll forward all your calls to whatever number you choose.

One perk Google Voice does offer is free SMS. GV Mobile+ has an extremely nice layout which integrates your current address book and you'll be able to text anyone from your Google Voice number the same way you'd send a regular text via the Messages app. For a lot of people, this could be an excellent way to get rid of texting completely. I wouldn't recommend it just yet though. One big feature GV Mobile+ is lacking is push notifications. It's rather annoying to have to keep checking the app to see if you've received new messages. Push is supposed to be coming in an update. I'm not quite sure why it wasn't there upon launch. If you're really looking to ditch texting quickly, there are always workarounds. I currently use Notifo [iTunes Link] to send me push notifications for Google Voice. You can set it up online and it'll only take about 5 minutes of your time. Growl apps and other push services will also work just fine until GV Mobile+ is updated to support push.

The app is dead simple to use and even allows you to create a separate favorites list than the one in your current address book. The app gives you all the main features of Google voice in one neat package. Along the bottom you've got your dial pad (phone book), SMS, History, Voicemail, and Settings. When you place a call, your phone will ring (from yourself) and you'll simply answer and it'll connect the call. It's dead simple to use. SMS works just as you'd expect it, and voicemail sends down not only the audio but the translations as well.

Push is still a huge factor that keeps this app from being awesome. Once push is added, I think it'll be amazing. I've tested having someone leave a voicemail or texting my GV numher while I'm in the app and I'll get it pretty much instantly. If push will be that quick, I can see several people using this app as their main communication app. I know I would. Let's cross our fingers it comes quick!

As a side note, in my video I wasn't sure what call presentation did. As a helpful YouTube user pointed out, call presentation is the feature that asks unknown callers to state their name before it connects to you. You can then hear their name and choose to either accept or deny the call. Neat!