Related
I can take no credit for this, since my sole contribution is to report it on xdadevelopers, and to have tried that it actually work.
The major breakthrough to make this happen was the developers of MJMD5; DTM, Stewart, netdata, az1234 and teddy_b that resides/ed on magicjacksupport.
read more about the code here, notably pages 3- 7: MJMD5 concept and coding.
The original softphone code is by Regis Montoya, alias r3gis.3R, and his crew: CSipSimple
It has been modified to support MagicJack in collaboration with Spider210: CSipSimpleMJMD5
r3gis made the following remark:
Magic Jack authentication method is now integrated to the trunk of the android port of pjsip. As consequence all future release of CSipSimple will include the Magic Jack feature
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CSipSimple now also have 4G support. Current release is 0.00-13-07, you can find the latest developers build here: d/l latest rev.
The concept has been tested both on 2.2 and 2.1.
The easiest way to obtain your MJ Sip credentials is:
MagicSipac, by kiler129 based on genexweb and stroths work
a variation made by Michael LaSalvia, alias genxweb, based on initial work by stroths is MJSIP - updated method 10/22/2010
for more detailed info of how to use this, see MJSIP details
And, if you like the product, don't be shy. Support the developers Donate!
Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to attach the files, why you have to go and get them yourselves in the links above
Good Luck,
arc
THIS IS AN AWESOME ARTICLE!!!
thanks to the devs and this poster for getting this info and app out!!!
i dont think alot of people understand what it does....YET.
skype charges i think $30.00 for your online number and $2.99mo for unlimited calls/recieve to usa and canada.....$3.00 * 12months = $36.00 + $30.00 for online number - $66.00
with this app you go buy MagicJack at walmart for $19.99 and you get your online number and 12months call/recieve to usa and canada.
ONE more thing....you can take your cellphone with you and use it on ANY open WIFI
Magicjack DONGLE = you have to have a pc.
cant beat that....but the app it self is having call problems with my evo over wifi.
if my screen goes dark the call starts breaking up real bad...dont know why it does....prob just a bug.
also when i am connected and i keep tapping my screen to keep it awake (and stay in call) the call loudness/quality isnt that great....not sure why.
i am over wifi so i should be able to pick good settings in the menu but not really sure what i need to pick
if someone could tell me what to put in that app to improve the loudness when on speaker phone and off speaker phone i would appreciate it.
thanks again to the devs and this poster for putting the info out.
this really should be a sticky i think as its cheaper then anything out there if you "do not have cell service"
great for ppl with wifi only.
What's a magicjack?
Sent from my Evo 4g using Tapatalk
stroths said:
What's a magicjack?
Sent from my Evo 4g using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.magicjack.com/5/index.asp
I had magicjack for two years. Worked great. I would sign up again if magicjack works on Android.
It does work on android. I use it in conjunction with google voice to allow me to sill receive calls when I don't have any cell signal but do have wifi.
All I had to do was add my magic jack number as a forwarding option in google voice. Then when I am somewhere without cell service, I connect to wifi, bring up the google voice setup web page and check the check box to enable forwarding to the mj number. So when someone calls my normal number.... No signal... Straight to google voice... Rings my magic jack number... Rings on my wifi connected android phone.
mburris said:
It does work on android. I use it in conjunction with google voice to allow me to sill receive calls when I don't have any cell signal but do have wifi.
All I had to do was add my magic jack number as a forwarding option in google voice. Then when I am somewhere without cell service, I connect to wifi, bring up the google voice setup web page and check the check box to enable forwarding to the mj number. So when someone calls my normal number.... No signal... Straight to google voice... Rings my magic jack number... Rings on my wifi connected android phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i not sure i get what you are saying?
why dont you just use mj the way it is being done here already?
you dont need GV do you?
if someone calls my mj number it will ring on my phone and i can answer it.
i can also make calls.
the call quality is just horrible for me though
at least on my evo
i really wish someone could make a guide showing which settings produce the best quality conversation
m16-maniac said:
i not sure i get what you are saying?
why dont you just use mj the way it is being done here already?
you dont need GV do you?
if someone calls my mj number it will ring on my phone and i can answer it.
i can also make calls.
the call quality is just horrible for me though
at least on my evo
i really wish someone could make a guide showing which settings produce the best quality conversation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sharing my non-standard use of Magic Jack so that others who hate it when they go onsite (or whereever - maybe overseas at a resort with wifi) and don't have cell service but still want to make and receive calls.
mburris said:
It does work on android. I use it in conjunction with google voice to allow me to sill receive calls when I don't have any cell signal but do have wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont understand the part with GV.
the only advantage i can see if that they dont have to call your original mj number.
GV just forwards its number to the MJ number...i think
you dont have to actually use GV though....the people who call you can just have the original MJ number and you can receive calls on your cellphone when they call that number.
With CSipSimple you no longer need to link it up with GV.
As long as you have you MagicJack Sip credentials, you can use CSipSimple, and now also aSip, to make and receive USA/Canada calls w/o any extra charges, as long as your phone has some type of data connection, 3G/4G or WiFi.
Normally, you need to hook up the MagicJack dongle to a Computers USB port.
montecristo1 said:
http://www.magicjack.com/5/index.asp
I had magicjack for two years. Worked great. I would sign up again if magicjack works on Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 in a heartbeat
Hey I'm having troubles setting this up. I installed the APK package onto my Droid 1 (verizon) running Android OS 2.2. After entering the username, password and server (with and without a specific port) it says "Register Failed - Check your Configuration". I have tried different combinations of making new advanced config accounts within CSIPSimple to no avail.
edit-- Also getting 'unauthorized' error
Force closing is a common occurrence while tinkering with the settings. What am I doing wrong? Is there a guide on how to set this up by chance? I'm new to the world of SIP/Softphones/VoIP & such so its a bit tedious at the moment. Also, is a microSD card required to use this?
Haven't been able to get my MagicJack SIP info. None of the process explained in the links seem to be working for me (nor for other people over at the linked page). Still working at it though....
i downlaoded the latest CSipSimple at the link in the first post of this thread.
when i disconnect the MJ dongle in my house and then i activate the MagicJack connection in the CSipSimple Accounts area i get a green light indicating i can make and recieve calls and it actually works fine.
BUT
when i take that same exact phone to town and connect to an open wifi hotspot i get the red indicator at the magicjack account and it says it couldnt register
now i only checked this at one hotspot that had an open wifi (Staples) so i not sure if it is in their router settings or if it is MagicJack Carrier detecting im not using my router (the last router the mj dongle was seen at)
if anyone knows it would be good to pass that info along.
Registration Failed, Request Timed Out, or Unauthorized Error
I don't know if this will help everyone with this problem, but last night I was using CSIPSIMPLE/MagicJack and it worked great. This morning, however, I was getting a registration failed error. I ran SIPDump.exe on the MJ device and found that MagicJack had apparently changed my password. As soon as I updated the password in CSIPSIMPLE it registered within seconds.
Crotchety said:
Haven't been able to get my MagicJack SIP info. None of the process explained in the links seem to be working for me (nor for other people over at the linked page). Still working at it though....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The steps worked the first time for me. Just make sure you have SIPDump.exe ready to run and wait for the first ad to start showing up on the MJ softphone, and then quickly hit ok on Sipdump.exe.
Your Username is E**********01 (replace * with area code and phone number)
When you open the first Sipdump1.txt search for Sip.connection.refresh
Your password should be about 7 lines above that. Use all caps when putting the password into CSIPSIMPLE.
My phone number is based out of columbus so I set my proxy to
proxy01.columbus.talk4free.com
CSIPSIMPLE registered within seconds.
Thanks to all who made this possible. I have several places I go that I get wifi but no 3g/cell signal. This allows me to have phone service almost everywhere I go.
hey everyone.
i had this working for some time now. recently MJ changed the passwords so i went in there and got the new one. everything else looks the same but it doesnt seem to register for some odd reason. it says unauthorized. i extracted the keys in both the perk script and the other app mentioned int he first post. they are the same and still dont work. is anyone having the same issue?
any help would be much appreciated.
thanks
m16-maniac said:
if my screen goes dark the call starts breaking up real bad...dont know why it does....prob just a bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hit menu -> settings -> lock wifi and make sure it's checked. Your wifi goes to power saver when the screen shuts off.
Please post your experience with the call quality using your MagicJack account on Androic via this app. I've heard mostly bad reviews...
I want this so bad, I leave the country at least twice a year and am always stuck without a phone. Last time I went to UK, Span and France for a month and Skype had canceled their Android service. Two days after I got back they brought the app back (sans video calling). So frustrating.
I tried to get my password, but I was not able. Any suggestions how to find the password and set it on Galaxy S? Any help will be appreciated.
magicjack on andriod phone
Please i need help to use magicjack app on my Andriod Phone some one to help me.
My telco charges a flat fee every single time i access the voice mail. However I do not get charged for incoming calls.
Hence I am wondering is there a voice mail app that does the following. (Keep in mind that i have free incoming calls and also caller-id)
1) The app picks up the phone call after a pre-defined limit of time.
2) The app plays a recorded message e.g "I'm not here right now. Please leave a message)
3) After the pre-recorded message finishes, the app starts recording.
4) After the other person hangs up, the app stops recording and saves the file.
5) Later on, I can play back the recorded message directly on my phone w/o having to pay the flat fee for using my telco's voice mail service.
Is there such an app?
EDIT: So in a way the app will act more like an answering machine
Why not just Google voice
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
because it still requires data right? and also its currently available only in the US and im in australia.
+1 for this kinda app! This kinda app would be useful.
+1
had it on nokia and it worked great.
Well, you can do that using Tasker.
But, Android security won't allow you to do no. 2
I tried that, to output audio to the "Call Stream", no joy.
Recording "Call Stream" is also restricted by the Android security.
info5i2002 said:
My telco charges a flat fee every single time i access the voice mail. However I do not get charged for incoming calls.
Hence I am wondering is there a voice mail app that does the following. (Keep in mind that i have free incoming calls and also caller-id)
1) The app picks up the phone call after a pre-defined limit of time.
2) The app plays a recorded message e.g "I'm not here right now. Please leave a message)
3) After the pre-recorded message finishes, the app starts recording.
4) After the other person hangs up, the app stops recording and saves the file.
5) Later on, I can play back the recorded message directly on my phone w/o having to pay the flat fee for using my telco's voice mail service.
Is there such an app?
EDIT: So in a way the app will act more like an answering machine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gogol said:
Well, you can do that using Tasker.
But, Android security won't allow you to do no. 2
I tried that, to output audio to the "Call Stream", no joy.
Recording "Call Stream" is also restricted by the Android security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have the most advanced open source mobile operating system in the WORLD, and we can't do basic stuff like this ?! ?! WTF!
/E
Yes. Android default might not allow it, but let's face it. Most of us on XDA run rooted android phones so wouldn't that allow us to do that?
info5i2002 said:
Yes. Android default might not allow it, but let's face it. Most of us on XDA run rooted android phones so wouldn't that allow us to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Have any android hacker looked into this? Would it be possible with root?
/E
Eminos said:
Exactly. Have any android hacker looked into this? Would it be possible with root?
/E
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an app that has the aforementioned functionality I think its called AirVoice (it requires root access). I tested it on my HTC Hero and it is able to pick up my phone automatically after the pre-defined time but then my phone reboots.
I have founf many apps that actually play their own voice messages how about allowing us to play our own. I`ve heard Motorola Milestone phones have more of a lockdown when it comes to recording calls
hkbkjosh said:
I have founf many apps that actually play their own voice messages how about allowing us to play our own. I`ve heard Motorola Milestone phones have more of a lockdown when it comes to recording calls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean that there is an app that automatically answer the phone call after X time, and plays a voice message? can you give me its name?
Threre is a program named call recorder free (by melon mobile) that can record a call from both sides. I don't see why nobody have ever implemented a voice mail program.
fact number 1 : there is a program that can record phone call from both sides.
fact number 2 : there are programs that can answer the phone automatically (with delay).
why isn't there a program that can act as a voice mail?
like it was said, Airvoice do it exectlly, but it is suitable for certain devices
is youmail not one of them? or does it use data also?
jamieross said:
is youmail not one of them? or does it use data also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just going to mention Youmail. I used it for a while before deciding to go back to my carrier's voicemail. Once you set up your account on the site, you can use a preset greeting, or create your own. You can opt to recieve notification by email or text, and review voicemail from a desktop, or your phone by either calling in, or using the app. If you prefer visual voicemail, give it a try.
Voicemail using Tasker
I think all who have contributed to this thread might have a look at the following Tasker profile created by member CoolJoseph96
HTML:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/tasker-local-voicemail-answer-machine-t3076273
ChairmanPlow said:
I was just going to mention Youmail. I used it for a while before deciding to go back to my carrier's voicemail. Once you set up your account on the site, you can use a preset greeting, or create your own. You can opt to recieve notification by email or text, and review voicemail from a desktop, or your phone by either calling in, or using the app. If you prefer visual voicemail, give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was doing the same quest for a long time.. As mentioned before, Google Voice is not an option (I live in the Netherlands, no support), Youmail idem dito (at least in the Netherlands).
Finally, I have found the little-heard-about app InstaVoice, which suits me great; good, reliable visual voicemail coverage in the Netherlands (with a free fix number forward service), voicemail messages, nicely sorted through app/ mail. Maybe off-topic for what You are looking for, but maybe worth to have a look at.. Their country coverage keeps going constantly.
What is the voice calling capability found in Gmail (on the desktop) called officially? I've been trying to search for solutions for this, but I don't even know what to call it- Google has SO many voice services now (chat, talk, voice, etc) that all sound like the same thing, yet aren't!
Here's what I'm looking to do:
I used the phone call function in Gmail to call abroad a few weeks ago via my laptop. I put about $10 into my balance there because it was cheaper per minute to call outside the US than Skype was. Worked perfectly.
Now, I'm trying to see if I can replace my netbook with a Tablet, so I'm trying to make those same calls from Android. I'll be honest, I'm wishing I had picked Skype to put the $10 credit on! Skype seems pretty straight forward- install it on the android device, make calls. But I've already spent the $10 on Google, so I'd like to find a way to make this work!
I tried going to Gmail from the browser and seeing if there was a link to install an app or something to make calls (like there is on the desktop side of things), but there is nothing there (ok, I didn't really expect it to work like that, but worth a try).
Is this part of a google chat application or something? Or is there no way to use that calling credit on an Android device??
I don't know for sure, but here are two options:
* Change the user agent in your Android browser to "Desktop" and use that interface. Though I am not sure if there will be issues with that.
* Use Google Voice. Which I am pretty sure is part of the same service they are using for Gmail calling. I use this for everything so I can read and send texts from my computer.
Tubes6al4v said:
I don't know for sure, but here are two options:
* Change the user agent in your Android browser to "Desktop" and use that interface. Though I am not sure if there will be issues with that.
* Use Google Voice. Which I am pretty sure is part of the same service they are using for Gmail calling. I use this for everything so I can read and send texts from my computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I tried the first one, but it requires a browser plugin to work (which is windows/mac only, so I can't get past that point).
Google Voice sounds like it could be it... but as far as I know, GV on Android doesn't actually let you place calls over IP yet, does it?
I thought it requires you to have a phone number it can call and then connect you via regular cellular minutes to the other party?
The device I'm using for this is a Tablet PC, so there isn't even a cellular radio or phone call system present. I'm trying to determine if I can replace a netbook for all the functions I use it for. This is something I know I can do on the netbook over wifi using the dialer in gmail, so I'd like to know I can do it on the Tablet as well. Does GVoice do that?
It's a paid app, but download GrooVe IP. It's the same thing that you did on your laptop, but with Android.
It is a third party app. But you get free, reliable calling anywhere in the US and get to use Google Voice's cheap international calling plans. [Edit: Over wifi, of course]
Dishe said:
So, I tried the first one, but it requires a browser plugin to work (which is windows/mac only, so I can't get past that point).
Google Voice sounds like it could be it... but as far as I know, GV on Android doesn't actually let you place calls over IP yet, does it?
I thought it requires you to have a phone number it can call and then connect you via regular cellular minutes to the other party?
The device I'm using for this is a Tablet PC, so there isn't even a cellular radio or phone call system present. I'm trying to determine if I can replace a netbook for all the functions I use it for. This is something I know I can do on the netbook over wifi using the dialer in gmail, so I'd like to know I can do it on the Tablet as well. Does GVoice do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the new google talk for android 2.3.4 allows for vid chat (so probably just voice as well), over wifi or 3g. there are ways to get it on 2.3.3 devices, for some devices, maybe not all, don't know. but, i chatted with my buddy from my phone to his pc, so it's definitely a voip service
im doing google voice from my gingerbread phone (EVO 4G) as my primary line... i dont pay a monthly cell phone service... i get picture mail, txt messages, internet, and unlimited cell service.
Pbxes+Google Voice= Unlimited
I have no delay on my phone, it sounds better than sprint when i had it...
the only catch is; u have to have Wifi around... basically everywhere i go its wifi avaliable....
jojo757 said:
im doing google voice from my gingerbread phone (EVO 4G) as my primary line... i dont pay a monthly cell phone service... i get picture mail, txt messages, internet, and unlimited cell service.
Pbxes+Google Voice= Unlimited
I have no delay on my phone, it sounds better than sprint when i had it...
the only catch is; u have to have Wifi around... basically everywhere i go its wifi avaliable....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this only Google Voice for Gingerbread that supports that? Or is this a new feature in GV in general? Last I checked they didn't support it...
+1 for GrooveIP. Its much easier than the alternatives imo.
WiredPirate said:
+1 for GrooveIP. Its much easier than the alternatives imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if Google Voice has a native app that does this for free, I'm totally game! Nice to know there are choices, tho!
Dishe said:
But if Google Voice has a native app that does this for free, I'm totally game! Nice to know there are choices, tho!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Google Voice does not do what GrooveIP does. When you have no cell coverage or lose cell coverage GV will drop your call or not place it, defeating the point. Even though you are on wifi you cannot place a call with GV w/o cell coverage. With GrooveIP you dont have to have cell coverage, you dont even need a sim.
I'm trying out this Groove IP right now. I must say I'm impressed by the call quality and the seemless functionality of the program. Not a huge fan of the constant notification, but I can live with it. OP it sounds like you should use this program, it's 3.99 in the market but boy is it worth it!
jojo757 said:
im doing google voice from my gingerbread phone (EVO 4G) as my primary line... i dont pay a monthly cell phone service... i get picture mail, txt messages, internet, and unlimited cell service.
Pbxes+Google Voice= Unlimited
I have no delay on my phone, it sounds better than sprint when i had it...
the only catch is; u have to have Wifi around... basically everywhere i go its wifi avaliable....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I setup pbxes + google voice and it seems to work most of the time. I'm interested to know how you are getting picture mail though - I thought googlevoice only supported txt messages.
k4p741nkrunch said:
I'm trying out this Groove IP right now. I must say I'm impressed by the call quality and the seemless functionality of the program. Not a huge fan of the constant notification, but I can live with it. OP it sounds like you should use this program, it's 3.99 in the market but boy is it worth it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can turn off the notification in the settings :]
And OP, Android 2.3+ has built in support for SIP addresses. You register with a provider online, and they'll route your calls. It's a bit more complicated to set up, and typically costs (But sites like PBXes will give them out for free if you use them at least once a month). You typically get a US number and can set that up with Google Voice. Apps like csipsimple and sipdroid are alternatives for supporting SIP if you don't have Android 2.3+
I suggested GrooVe IP because it's a 1 step setup (Login with your Google account and you're done), and is identical quality to the calling through Gmail because there's no middleman. It's certainly possible to set it up for free using SIP instead, and there are some great guides on google.
I am getting picture mail because: I had a Google voice number before I got me Sprint number. Then I migrated my Sprint # to my Google voice acct.
Since then my Sprint service was disconnected because I recently lost my job, so I decided since I was out of contract anyway i'll say forget Sprint and use my Google voice acct. But back to how I got picture mail, when they disconnected my Sprint acct they didn't disconnect the Sprint number because it migrated over to my Google voice.
So when I call my Sprint number it forwards it to my GV number... But to get picture mail (keep in mind my Sprint acct has been disconnected for like a month) u have to have mobile network always on, and have wifi connected at the same time, if someone sends me a picture mail it'll come thru but I can't download the picture (not by Sprint network), but since I have wifi on it'll download the picture for me (Sprint can't officially cancel the number because u migrated over to GV, so now its your number for good. The only catch u can't respond to the picture mail and u can only respond thru the Google voice app.
Back in April sipdroid gave people a way to merge pbxes & Google voice... So since I upgraded to gingerbread, I no longer use sipdroid and I use the built-in internet call feature in gingerbread...
So I have service like everyone else with no problem, just no 3g or 4G service, all wifi on my phone.... Plus I can use my Bluetooth with my phone with no problem...
Hopefully talk understood that, if not PM me and i'll try to break it down...
Sent From Evo
I'm tired of missing calls because skype doesn't always automatically startup when I boot up my transformer. I think it's supposed to launch at startup on it's own, but it doesn't always do that. I've tried tasker but it didn't work for what I needed it to do, and I found an app on the android market called 'Startup Manager' but it has alot of bad reviews so I didn't bother with it.
I've missed just about the last call I can put up with. I've already paid for a year of skype service so I'm not keen on switching.
I use google voice to receive texts on my tablet and that has no issues, is there a way to relay my calls from skype to google voice to resolve this issue?
Any methods of making skype automatically start at startup are also welcome.
Anyone else seen this yet... simonics.com/gvgw
You need a Google voice number... (free)
NO im not spamming this.. i found it ON MY OWN and found it to be really useful since it works. Don't be haters... try it or not... its free and up to you.
I use this with my phone. There are places at my work where the only connection i have is WiFi... this solves the problem and i don't need stupid software to use it... just go to the site, set it up, and put the settings into your phone settings for internet calling.
Ive been using this for a few months now... and no, my Google account has not been hijacked and is a secure encrypted connection through a asterisk server and secure ports.
Read the FAQ on the site... its really simple and works.
our certyles
I've been testing it out a bit, it seems to work pretty well. I plan to drop my phone plan soon actually and just use a Verizon LTE hotspot.
I want to make sure I've got a method fairly reliable in place to make calls/texts with GV, and so far I've had success with the callback method, grooveIP (though the audio still sounds a bit funky), and using simonics and csip simple.
simonics + csip seemed to be the most reliable, though I've hit a snag: It's not allowing me to register my simonics account when I'm connected to my LTE hotspot. Works fine on any other wifi though.
silverwater25 said:
I've been testing it out a bit, it seems to work pretty well. I plan to drop my phone plan soon actually and just use a Verizon LTE hotspot.
I want to make sure I've got a method fairly reliable in place to make calls/texts with GV, and so far I've had success with the callback method, grooveIP (though the audio still sounds a bit funky), and using simonics and csip simple.
simonics + csip seemed to be the most reliable, though I've hit a snag: It's not allowing me to register my simonics account when I'm connected to my LTE hotspot. Works fine on any other wifi though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this work? Doesn't a Google Voice number have to forward to a real number and be attached to one? Do you have another number that the GV is attached to?
I don't use a single app for this.
*Setup a Google voice (free)
- set your ringback as Google chat.
*Setup a pbxes.org account (free)
- set a trunk that points to your gchat
If you're on an AOSP ROM, open dialer, go to settings, scroll to bottom, internet call settings, accounts, point to your pbxes account.
Done!
Now you have free incoming + outgoing calls over WiFi or 4G. Even 3G as well.
If you use the sipdroid app (by pbxes.org ppl) instead of the built-in AOSP SIP stack you get more audio encoding options and the ability to pass your calls thru a VPN. Pretty sweet
kennyglass123 said:
How does this work? Doesn't a Google Voice number have to forward to a real number and be attached to one? Do you have another number that the GV is attached to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still learning about all this, it's been pretty confusing as it's all new stuff for me. I'll try to explain what I know (or what I think I know)
Internet calls (VOIP) are typically free when connecting to another internet connection (ex. Skype, Kakao, Seed, etc). PSTN (regular phone numbers) cost money to connnect. Google Talk, which is VOIP,. lets you call a PTSN for free from your desktop. This seems pretty unique and likely will not last forever I'm guessing.
Install a softphone on your device, and you're bypassing your carrier's calling network.
Calls coming in:
Now, it's possible to setup a free VOIP account and attach a "real" number to it as a way to connect to the outside world. This service called IPkall can give you a recycled Wash. state number and let you get calls on iit for free. I attached one of these to a Callcentric VOIP account..When someone rings my google voice number, it will ring my IDKall/Callcentric number, which oh yeah doesn't cost me anything.
Calling out:
Callback method: Using apps like the Google Voice Callback, you can do the same thing as you can from your desktop, which is have Google Voice ring one of your numbers while simultaneously calling the number you want to call. Google Voice is acting like the bridge between your phone and the one you're calling. Like you said you need a "real" number to make calls like this with google voice, but if your VOIP account is attached to a "real" number then it doesn't know the difference.Typically your carrier would charge you money/minutes to call your google voice number, but since you're connecting for free with a softphone/VOIP then you're only be charged for whatever data you use.
GrooveIP/Simonics Google Voice Gateway: I really don't know how these work, but my best guess is they're just simplifying the process for you, setting up the second VOIP account automatically.
So I'm annoyed that Csip Simple/simonics isn't working for me when I connect to my verizon sch-lc11 jetpack I picked up a few days ago (the verizon guys were pretty confused when I turned down a free iphone 4s, heh). Groove IP seems to be working all right now, if that fails then I can go back to the callback method, or maybe try setting up a pbx.
Setting the phone up so that it can receive SIP calls tends to chew through battery a little quicker.
Having said that...if you want to do your own thing and have an old pc (or even Raspberry Pi) laying around, check out PBX in a Flash (sorry I can't post links, just Google it). I've been running this setup for about two years to replace my land line with a google voice number and it works great. I've expanded my setup to have a home office number as well. All free. You can also set up your cell as a SIP or IAX extension and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
You can also purchase an obi100, and use the ObiTalk app.