I use Google voice all the time. First, it's FREE. That tells you something. It's like a digital voice messangering service. If you can't get to the phone to pick it up, it lets the person talk. Then, it translates their words into english and sends it as a text and a wav file to your email. You can read it or listen to it on your computer or your iphone. Lastly, it sends it also as a text message, which is great in case your email is down. It all happens in just a minute or less. There is no downside to using it. I was using another service that charged 10 bucks a month and I dropped them when Google voice came out. Two thumbs up.
It comes as an email and text message. So, you get it that way without the app. But, you have to sign up for the service and for that, you need to get the app.
It's just like a regular email and a wav file. Its no different than any other email file you would get with that stuff in it.
Google voice is amazing. You can forward calls to multiple phones, automatically during different hours if you want, you can block individual numbers, etc. It's great, sign up and play around with it. Oh and you can pick your own number as long as it is available. I got one that is in a different area code but is only one digit off from my real cell number so it is easy to remember.