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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.
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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?
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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....
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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.
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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!
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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
Anyone get it working? I installed it but couldnt get it to provision Coming from my moment, i now HATE having to call my voicemail. That is so 2009.
Try YouMail or Google Voice. It is much better than the visual voice from sprint.
|NeXUS S 4G|
i've been using "Better You Mail", i've had no issues with it and it works as expected..
Using HulloMail and it's working great. I couldn't take the Sprint/Google integration of Voice myself.
oubravs2b said:
Using HulloMail and it's working great. I couldn't take the Sprint/Google integration of Voice myself.
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Goolge integration kept stealing my text messages and not delivering them to me for hours. Goolge needs to fix this BS quick, because it sucks taint!
mantis92gsr said:
Goolge integration kept stealing my text messages and not delivering them to me for hours. Goolge needs to fix this BS quick, because it sucks taint!
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I didn't have that problem. The thing I hated was having to switch between Voice for SMS and regular Messaging app for MMS. I wouldn't mind the integration if Voice handled MMS as well.
I've found that using a third party VVM (HulloMail) app and uninstalling Voice is a great setup, IMO. I also tried Visual Voicemail Plus from the market, but I kept getting two messages for every one left for me. HulloMail is great. The only thing I really miss from Voice is having voice to text sent to me. A lot of the time I'm at a client site and can't listen to messages but can read them.
You have to skip integration when you set up Google Voice.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G
I also would like a way of getting Sprint's VVM working.
I tried Google Voice for awhile and ending up having serious problems with it.
If there is a way to get Sprint's VVM working, thatd be great!
spoke to Sprint advanced level support today and there was nothing they could do for me.
The way VVM works is that a text message comes in from 9016 that the VVM app picks up and then it goes out to download the voicemail. Without that text message coming in, the app will not know to retrieve any messages.
When I loaded my first cynogen rom on my htc hero, my account wasn't provisioned correctly and they weren't sending the text message anymore. I had called into advance tech support and they reset my voicemail to make it work again.
Now, on my Nexus S, I have the app loaded and it even sent back a text message saying it provisioned correctly. I guess the problem is that sprint knows I have a nexus and because of that, my account is on a different "platform" now. That platform does not utilize the messaging system for VVM and thus the notification does not come to my phone letting the VVM app know there is a voicemail to retrieve.
jedwardmiller said:
Try YouMail or Google Voice. It is much better than the visual voice from sprint.
|NeXUS S 4G|
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s3v3nXDA said:
i've been using "Better You Mail", i've had no issues with it and it works as expected..
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip about Youmail. I wish I heard of this earlier. This is by far the best replacement for Sprint VVM. I hate Google Voice where it always shows you your SMS messages.
I tried Better Youmail at first since it seemed to get better market reviews. It was driving my nuts how when you put the phone in airplane mode it keeps telling you how it can't connect and I couldn't find a way to turn that off.
So I tried the regular Youmail and that worked great so I don't get the "can't connect" messages, and I could easily find a way to turn of the additional text and email notifications. There's two versions of regular Youmail on the market. The one I like best is the Youmail EOL (end of life?). The interface is black and simple just like Sprint VVM which I love.
The only thing that isn't perfect it has ads and suggestions to sign up for message transcriptions every time you play your VM. Youmail Pro disables the ads but it's $20 per year, and who knows what it looks like.
Youmail wasn't as nice and reliable as I thought.
I gave Google Voice another try and it no longer shows new SMS messages. I just installed it from market and didn't do any special Sprint integration. Not quite sure what I did or why it was so easy to turn off the SMS integration this time, but I really like it now: SMS on the messaging app, and VVM via Google Voice only, no dual notifications, no SMS going to Google Voice.
Greefus said:
Youmail wasn't as nice and reliable as I thought.
I gave Google Voice another try and it no longer shows new SMS messages. I just installed it from market and didn't do any special Sprint integration. Not quite sure what I did or why it was so easy to turn off the SMS integration this time, but I really like it now: SMS on the messaging app, and VVM via Google Voice only, no dual notifications, no SMS going to Google Voice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips. After an hour of screwing around with the 2 Nexuses (Nexi???) in my house, sending dummy texts and VM's back and forth, I finally got it straightened out.
For those starting from scratch on a new phone:
1) If you have a VM notification on your taskbar, log into sprint voicemail once the old fashioned way, or else the notification will never go away. once it does go away...
2) Install updates to google voice from market
3) Launch GV, skip the integration step (or else SMS will be hijacked), set all the minimalist (my term) options in GV... don't let it make calls, etc... ONLY use it for VM's (I had to call a special *28 number for config but it might be because my GV #is different from sprint#... although in the end that is transparent to people calling my sprint # which was my goal).
4) In GV settings in your phone, turn on taskbar notification, but turn off SMS notification. In GV settings on PC at google.com/voice, turn off SMS notification AND email notification... but leave on transcripts (my preference... this is one place where GV is superior to sprint VVM... getting transcripts is pretty damn cool!)
When all is said and done, it seems to be mostly equivalent to old Sprint VVM, actually slightly better with the addition of transcripts as said above. My SMS works 100% normal. I don't have a lot of real world use yet, but from my tests the GV for voicemails only seems like it will work great.
Curious if anybody has figured out how to get stock visual voicemail working on Nexus S 4G. I'm hoping so!!
imekul said:
Curious if anybody has figured out how to get stock visual voicemail working on Nexus S 4G. I'm hoping so!!
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According to Sprint it is not possible to provision the Nexus S 4G to the Sprint Visual Voicemail system. Choices are GV and regular voicemail.
imekul said:
Curious if anybody has figured out how to get stock visual voicemail working on Nexus S 4G. I'm hoping so!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By "stock," you actually mean "Sprint," which isn't really stock in the sense of Google stock or Android stock.
Give GV a chance, you will see it has everything the Sprint app had and more.
Oh, no, I actually like GV myself. The only problem is I'm having an issue missing phone calls with my NS4G, and I'm thinking GV might be to blame.
Here's my thread on that for more info: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16214057#post16214057
imekul said:
Oh, no, I actually like GV myself. The only problem is I'm having an issue missing phone calls with my NS4G, and I'm thinking GV might be to blame.
Here's my thread on that for more info: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16214057#post16214057
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Click to collapse
That sucks. Hasn't happened to me yet.
Ironically it DID happen from time to time on my old Moment, which DID use the Sprint VVM.
So here's the plan....in my head at least...and I will greatly appreciate some feedback on...ummm..I guess the validity of it working:
Picked up a Plus with a new number for the data plan....gonna sign up with google voice for another number...pay the fee for keeping the number forever...searched the forums and found out that an app called groove ip to use google voice on the tablet($3.99 I believe)...and viola...keeping the tablet unrooted and my primary phone for calls and texts as I can easily carry it in my pockets.
Sadly, I can not try this out till my Plus arrives in the mail on Dec 20th. Only drawback right now....losing my number I've had since 2001.
What do you guys think?
Had same setup with Dell streak 7, with groove up and sipdroid. These apps wouldnt stay connected all the time, and call quality was good at times but mostly subpar. 7.0 plus is best out right now until 7.7 is released.
I am also thinking the lack of MMS with Google voice is gonna bother me too...I honestly use my phone for voice calling for like 30 minutes a month...mainly email and text messaging is what I use for my contact. I just wish it wasn't locked down with out the phone function.
Thanks for the input
I am using this setup but instead of two numbers, I use my google voice number as my groove IP number. One number for voice/texts.
Has anybody tried porting over their old mobile number to google? I have to pay a $50 ETF and the $20 google fee, but I am thinking that will be the way to go. I guess what I am wondering how seamless that transition would be...would it be something worth doing? How long would I be in the dark until it worked is another question I have because in reading the FAQ at Google it said at least three days sometimes.
What are you guys doing about MMS messages...as it is something I recieve quite a bit. Does it alert the you, or the person that sent it, that it was not able to go through?
How would you guys compare the experience overall with having just a regular android phone like a HTC Sensation. Although I hardly ever use the voice function, I hate that the one time I would need it, that I would be without it.
Thanks again for the help and answers.
I love my nexus S. my most major complaint is Battery life, it only last about half as long as my EVO shift did. I have to start charging around 1 or 2 pm.
My second major complaint is lack of Visual Voice mail. It feels like the dark ages having to "Call" my voice mail and listen to them one by one. I can't for the life of me figure out why they took this away.
Yes i know i know, Google voice. The problem with that is i already have a Google voice account i use for one of my business. I have it linked to three phones. It gets Text and Voice mails all day long. So i can not Use that as my primary Voice mail app for my other business and personal phone.
Some of you suggest Youmail, the issue i have had with that is every time my phone is out of service my clients and friends get a message saying the Voice mailbox is not setup. It is a flaky service.
I have also tried to get the Epics voice mail app to work and it did the the ghosting made it almost impossible to use.
Had i known about this from the start it might have influenced me to get a different phone.
So any-way if anyone has some suggestions it would appreciate it.
ch0de said:
I love my nexus S. my most major complaint is Battery life, it only last about half as long as my EVO shift did. I have to start charging around 1 or 2 pm.
My second major complaint is lack of Visual Voice mail. It feels like the dark ages having to "Call" my voice mail and listen to them one by one. I can't for the life of me figure out why they took this away.
Yes i know i know, Google voice. The problem with that is i already have a Google voice account i use for one of my business. I have it linked to three phones. It gets Text and Voice mails all day long. So i can not Use that as my primary Voice mail app for my other business and personal phone.
Some of you suggest Youmail, the issue i have had with that is every time my phone is out of service my clients and friends get a message saying the Voice mailbox is not setup. It is a flaky service.
I have also tried to get the Epics voice mail app to work and it did the the ghosting made it almost impossible to use.
Had i known about this from the start it might have influenced me to get a different phone.
So any-way if anyone has some suggestions it would appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What carrier are you with? I know AT&T offers a visual voicemail app in the app store.
Sprint
polobunny said:
What carrier are you with? I know AT&T offers a visual voicemail app in the app store.
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Click to collapse
Oh yes. I'm using Sprint. and I have the 4g.
Hi guys, after the Hangouts Google Voice merge, I've been highly tempted to port my number over to Google Voice. The main thing that attracts my attention is how all my texts will be stored on the cloud so I won't have to constantly backup and restore when flashing different ROMs (approx. once a week). What do you guys think on this? I'm hesitating right now due to the $20 fee and that if I send an MMS picture, it shows up as a link on the other side. Also, I tried calling using my current GVoice number, and my mom said its not as clear. Do you guys think it'll be worth it?
ryukiri said:
Hi guys, after the Hangouts Google Voice merge, I've been highly tempted to port my number over to Google Voice. The main thing that attracts my attention is how all my texts will be stored on the cloud so I won't have to constantly backup and restore when flashing different ROMs (approx. once a week). What do you guys think on this? I'm hesitating right now due to the $20 fee and that if I send an MMS picture, it shows up as a link on the other side. Also, I tried calling using my current GVoice number, and my mom said its not as clear. Do you guys think it'll be worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as the call quality of using the Hangouts Dialer/your Google Voice number vs. regular calls- at least over WiFi I noticed a difference, but not so much that it interfered with the call or understanding the person on the other end, for me. Haven't tried it over normal LTE data at this point.
I've used Google Voice for a long time (since my Evo 4G days, even a little before that) and having all my texts backed up was one of the big draws. I don't use Google+ Hangouts, so I also can't speak to text backups there but if your experience is that your texts are there and waiting for you right now, I can't imagine that would change.
So, in my estimation, it kind of depends on what you want more: backups vs. call quality. I don't make a lot of calls, so I'm more on the side of texting and having a single number that I can then use for multiple lines, but that's just me. Hope some of this helped!
I find the call quality to be good, the big issue is you don't get HD Voice. So if your mom is on T-Mobile with an HD Voice capable phone you will get HD Voice when making a regular T-Mobile call with your Nexus 5, while the Hangouts calling is just a standard voice quality level. I had no issue using it over LTE, but I haven't tried 3G. I would think an Edge area would definitely give you a problem.
Keep in mind that you can always continue to use the call forwarding feature rather than the VOIP functionality. This won't solve the issue of no HD voice, but it will work in Edge areas without issue.
Joshmccullough said:
As far as the call quality of using the Hangouts Dialer/your Google Voice number vs. regular calls- at least over WiFi I noticed a difference, but not so much that it interfered with the call or understanding the person on the other end, for me. Haven't tried it over normal LTE data at this point.
I've used Google Voice for a long time (since my Evo 4G days, even a little before that) and having all my texts backed up was one of the big draws. I don't use Google+ Hangouts, so I also can't speak to text backups there but if your experience is that your texts are there and waiting for you right now, I can't imagine that would change.
So, in my estimation, it kind of depends on what you want more: backups vs. call quality. I don't make a lot of calls, so I'm more on the side of texting and having a single number that I can then use for multiple lines, but that's just me. Hope some of this helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
raptir said:
I find the call quality to be good, the big issue is you don't get HD Voice. So if your mom is on T-Mobile with an HD Voice capable phone you will get HD Voice when making a regular T-Mobile call with your Nexus 5, while the Hangouts calling is just a standard voice quality level. I had no issue using it over LTE, but I haven't tried 3G. I would think an Edge area would definitely give you a problem.
Keep in mind that you can always continue to use the call forwarding feature rather than the VOIP functionality. This won't solve the issue of no HD voice, but it will work in Edge areas without issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the replies! Is HD voice a big difference compared to normal? My mom had a Moto X FYI. Can you explain more on call forwarding? I don't know how it works or what it is. Does it forward a call from your GVoice number to your regular Sim card number? If that's the case, will there be a delay?
ryukiri said:
I'm hesitating right now due to the $20 fee ...
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Click to collapse
You can avoid $20 fee by porting to Ring.to then have Ring.to forward to Google Voice totally free of charge. :highfive:
ryukiri said:
Thanks for the replies! Is HD voice a big difference compared to normal? My mom had a Moto X FYI. Can you explain more on call forwarding? I don't know how it works or what it is. Does it forward a call from your GVoice number to your regular Sim card number? If that's the case, will there be a delay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you can set it up to forward calls to your SIM number instead of using VoIP. I imagine there is a slight delay for the call to forward but there's no delay while speaking. The call gets forwarded so it is actually handed off from Google Voice to your carrier, just like when your phone forwards to voicemail.
ryukiri said:
Hi guys, after the Hangouts Google Voice merge, I've been highly tempted to port my number over to Google Voice. The main thing that attracts my attention is how all my texts will be stored on the cloud so I won't have to constantly backup and restore when flashing different ROMs (approx. once a week). What do you guys think on this? I'm hesitating right now due to the $20 fee and that if I send an MMS picture, it shows up as a link on the other side. Also, I tried calling using my current GVoice number, and my mom said its not as clear. Do you guys think it'll be worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to add a few things.
First off, remember that if you opt in for the Hangouts and Google Voice integration, the text messages will be stored in the Hangouts application, and not Google Voice. It is a plus to have the messages backed up, but I wouldn't say that was the winner for me.
The winner for me is being able to send SMS messages from the Hangouts extension for Chrome Browser on my work PC, or any other PC/Laptop for that matter. Everything is consolidated now in one app. Whereas before I would use the Google Voice extension to text, Hangouts is just nicer to use. More functional. Better user interface.
I ported my number a while back from Sprint, and I'm a Tmo subscriber as well. A few words of caution: the biggest drawback is MMS, or lack thereof. For me, I don't really use it. I send all pics and MMS content through Hangouts already. What bugs me is when people send me MMS content to my Google Voice number, and I'm never aware of it, since I can't receive it. (I can get MMS from other Tmo subscribers though).
Since I travel a lot internationally, it's nice being able to use your same number for texting and calling over data. If you make your Google Voice number your primary number, that's another perk.
I use Skype as my main calling app. (I have a yearly subscription with them to make unlimited calls to landlines and mobile in the U.S.). When I need to, I make calls through Tmo. As stated before, don't expect to be able to make calls over data if you're on EDGE. Even 3G might be skeptical. If you've got 1Mbps down/up speeds, you'll be all right. Use speedtest to check out your data speeds where you plan on making calls over data.
Overall I would recommend it. I didn't mind the $20 bucks. If you're on a budget, look into alternative means of porting, as stated above. Any other questions, ask away.
jnbanda said:
I would like to add a few things.
First off, remember that if you opt in for the Hangouts and Google Voice integration, the text messages will be stored in the Hangouts application, and not Google Voice. It is a plus to have the messages backed up, but I wouldn't say that was the winner for me.
The winner for me is being able to send SMS messages from the Hangouts extension for Chrome Browser on my work PC, or any other PC/Laptop for that matter. Everything is consolidated now in one app. Whereas before I would use the Google Voice extension to text, Hangouts is just nicer to use. More functional. Better user interface.
I ported my number a while back from Sprint, and I'm a Tmo subscriber as well. A few words of caution: the biggest drawback is MMS, or lack thereof. For me, I don't really use it. I send all pics and MMS content through Hangouts already. What bugs me is when people send me MMS content to my Google Voice number, and I'm never aware of it, since I can't receive it. (I can get MMS from other Tmo subscribers though).
Since I travel a lot internationally, it's nice being able to use your same number for texting and calling over data. If you make your Google Voice number your primary number, that's another perk.
I use Skype as my main calling app. (I have a yearly subscription with them to make unlimited calls to landlines and mobile in the U.S.). When I need to, I make calls through Tmo. As stated before, don't expect to be able to make calls over data if you're on EDGE. Even 3G might be skeptical. If you've got 1Mbps down/up speeds, you'll be all right. Use speedtest to check out your data speeds where you plan on making calls over data.
Overall I would recommend it. I didn't mind the $20 bucks. If you're on a budget, look into alternative means of porting, as stated above. Any other questions, ask away.
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Click to collapse
OK thanks! So one question regarding SMS, I already opted in for them to show up on hangouts. I'm pretty sure that even after I factory reset my phone, my texts will still be I'm hangouts after I log in and everything. Is that correct? My texts won't disappear after a full wipe or anything? (Texts are stored on the cloud rather than physically on the device right?)
Yeah I love that feature of being able to text from a computer also. Its very convenient.
Hopefully MMS gets fixed soon, I don't use it much but every once in a while, my friend sends me pictures.
ryukiri said:
OK thanks! So one question regarding SMS, I already opted in for them to show up on hangouts. I'm pretty sure that even after I factory reset my phone, my texts will still be I'm hangouts after I log in and everything. Is that correct? My texts won't disappear after a full wipe or anything? (Texts are stored on the cloud rather than physically on the device right?)
Yeah I love that feature of being able to text from a computer also. Its very convenient.
Hopefully MMS gets fixed soon, I don't use it much but every once in a while, my friend sends me pictures.
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I believe, but I am not sure, that SMS are only stored in cloud storage if they are from/to your Google Voice number. I think that texts that are sent to your carrier number are not backed up.
If you port your current telephone # to GV, T-Mobile will automatically cancel your current account. It does not automatically reassign a random number to your account once you port your mobile # out.
PaisanNYC said:
If you port your current telephone # to GV, T-Mobile will automatically cancel your current account. It does not automatically reassign a random number to your account once you port your mobile # out.
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Can we just go to a store and do it there? Like port the # to GV, and then have them assign another one to my phone?