Google Voice gets BlackBerry and Android support

Users will be able to make calls with their Google Voice number directly from a mobile phone

Google has expanded the reach of its voice telephony service with a beta of Google Voice for the BlackBerry and Android operating systems.

The additions will allow users to place outgoing calls on the handsets from their Google Voice numbers.

Google has also set up a mobile version of the Talk site for handset users not running either of the supported platforms.

The firm hopes that by adding built-in support for the service, it can make the process of calling from a mobile easier.

"Previously, to place a call using Google Voice, you had to dial your own Google Voice number from your cell phone or use the Quick Call button online," explained developers Vincent Paquet and Marcus Foster in a blog post.

"With this new mobile app you can make calls and send SMS with your Google Voice number directly from your mobile phone."

Google launched the Voice service in March as a replacement for GrandCentral, a telephony startup which Google acquired in 2007 and developed into a beta service.

The beta can be downloaded from the Google Voice mobile site at m.google.com/voice.