Emerging web-based voice tools

* Highly useful: CallWave transcribes your voicemail
Callwave is a free cellular voice mail replacement service. It's recently been enhanced with Vtxt, an automated speech-to-text service. Vtxt converts voice mail into text. When someone leaves you a message, the service e-mails or SMSes you the transcription. The conversion is far from perfect, but more than good enough to get the gist of the message.

* Jangl enables private calls, but some could be cold
This tool allows you to talk with people while retaining some anonymity. Running as a service, it allows users with virtual telephone numbers to route calls to your real phone number and messages to your e-mail in-box.

* Dodgeball
This a mobile communication tool that lets you send out SMS messages to individuals or groups with a dash of social networking.

* Grand Central (just bought by Google)
Grandcentral acts as online voice mail. Users can create customized mailboxes and call filters, as well as manage all their voice mail online.