Google Voice Launches Number Porting

Google's Voice calling application is adding a long-promised feature: the ability to move a phone number from a cell phone to Google's service. Previously, Google Voice assigned each user a new number,making it more difficult to take advantage of its features, which include cheaper international calls and the ability to answer calls on several different phones and computers. Google says users can now request "porting" for a fee of $20, a service not offered by leading competitor Skype. (More Google stories.)