MetroPCS is the latest to ditch the dial-in voicemail. They just announced two options for subscribers who want to ditch the linear menus and cut to the chase. MetroPCS’s Visual Voice Mail provides the basic services you’d expect. It lets you browse through your voice messages and play the ones you want to hear, in the order you want to hear them. For those who haven’t used a visual voicemail system, I cannot stress how much easier and intuitive this is than listening to voicemails in the reverse order you received them. You can then respond to the message by calling back, or sending an SMS/MMS/email. The Visual Voice Mail Plus adds a text transcription, which makes life even easier. I’m to the point where I tell people not to leave a voicemail, but just text me. This accomplishes the same end. The only unknown here is exactly how MetroPCS will execute this service. I’ve seen voicemail transcription services that run from near perfect to abysmal. But, since you’re paying extra for Plus, it should range on the better side. MetroPCS is offering Visual Voice Mail free on all plans $45 and up for non-4G handsets, and all plans $50 and up for the 4G models. At the moment it is available only on the Samsung Galaxy Indulge, the LG Optimus M, and the Huawei Ascend, though they promise support for the BlackBerry 8530 and BREW-based devices — that is, feature phones — coming soon. The Plus service costs an additional $5 per month. You can learn more about the service and sign up for an appropriate service plan at MetroPCS’s website.]]>
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