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[Q] Free Alternative to Google Voice and GrooveIP in Canada

I am with Mobilicity in Ontario which gives me unlimited local calling, text, and data when I am in one of their "unlimited zones" (major cities) but heading an hour or so out of the city I'm roaming. This doesn't pose to much of a problem for me as I live downtown and rarely leave Toronto, but I do have family and friends I visit from time to time that don't live within the "unlimited zone" which makes my phone useless to me.
From what I understand about GV and GrooveIP, it allows you to make free calls and text to anywhere in the US and Canada for free over 3G data and wifi, which is exactly what I need for when I'm not in the city. At first I thought I could use a US proxy to get a GV number then set up GrooveIP so when I am out of the unlimted zone I can still communicate over wifi using my GV number. The problem I realized is that no one I know in Canada is going to want to pay international call and text rates to reach me at a US GV number.
Is there some other free service available in Canada that allows me to send and receive texts and calls for free over wifi?

You can use grooveip in canada! I use it. Just get someone in states to make youan email and stuff. Then use it to login in canada. Ive been using it in canada for awhile now
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

jark99 said:
You can use grooveip in canada! I use it. Just get someone in states to make youan email and stuff. Then use it to login in canada. Ive been using it in canada for awhile now
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
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You're right! It does work. I can even make long distance calls for free now too. Are you able to receive calls through grooveip without a google voice number? When making a call do you know what your caller id looks like to the other person? I assumed that Grooveip also supported sms but I see now that it doesn't. Is there an app with the same functionality as grooveip but for sending and recieving texts over wifi

red_skittles said:
You're right! It does work. I can even make long distance calls for free now too. Are you able to receive calls through grooveip without a google voice number? When making a call do you know what your caller id looks like to the other person? I assumed that Grooveip also supported sms but I see now that it doesn't. Is there an app with the same functionality as grooveip but for sending and recieving texts over wifi
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When you call people it shows the US number i believe. Also i have never tried receiving calls because the ppl who would call you in canada would get charged for calling to the states as grooveip uses a US number.
For texting look up a few apps...i think textplus was one...but cant recall
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

so let me get this straight if i buy grooveip
i can use my gvoice in canada and not get charged long distance?
im not sure how grooveip works sorry

how do you even get a google voice number in canada anyways?

belovedson said:
so let me get this straight if i buy grooveip
i can use my gvoice in canada and not get charged long distance?
im not sure how grooveip works sorry
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You have to have someone in US register you an email in the states. Then use that email to use groove ip!
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

Use Fongo, which was previously Dell Voice, can let you make free Canada and US calls over wifi! The quality is even better than google voice, imo.

[Q] Life without a carrier?

I'm rarely out of wifi range,..in fact, pretty much never unless I'm walking around on the streets of the city or traveling, and even then I can find it fairly easily. I'm wondering, has anyone gone to a mobile lifestyle without using a cell carrier, using wifi only? What is your strategy? I'm wondering if Skype or a similar service would work well enough as my mobile contact number, maybe coupled with a prepaid dumb phone for the car for emergencies. Is this a realistic idea?

In an absolute emergency all cell phones can still dial 911 no matter contract status as long as they have signal

Whayle said:
I'm rarely out of wifi range,..in fact, pretty much never unless I'm walking around on the streets of the city or traveling, and even then I can find it fairly easily. I'm wondering, has anyone gone to a mobile lifestyle without using a cell carrier, using wifi only? What is your strategy? I'm wondering if Skype or a similar service would work well enough as my mobile contact number, maybe coupled with a prepaid dumb phone for the car for emergencies. Is this a realistic idea?
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Well if you have a Smartphone you should be able to port your current number to Google voice and make and receive calls and texts from it without requiring a plan
I have a android phone and I make calls on Wifi all the time and love it! Maybe I need to make a call at a friends house with no signal? Google Voice via Wifi To the Rescue!

You don't even need to port a number to Google Voice. They'll give you you're own number when you sign up.
If you're okay with not having a signal while you're out and about, then by all means go for it.

I'm sure it could be done but I doubt it would be very practical. Imagine going on a little trip or wanting to make a call but can't because you're just outside the wifi range. Even always being near a wi-fi connection doesn't guarantee you'll always be near one.

LOL I'm waiting for my unlock code to a HD2.
So far it's livable with GoVoice for texting and checking email, listening to music, and watching netflix.
Going to school and all that isn't really necessary for a data plan cause wifi is available and on top of that all around campus

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

Try netTalk from the market works good for Out going calls on WiFi.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

New Scam AT&T Customers.

Hey guys just throwing out some friendly info your way. A buddy of mine who also has a One X received a call and his caller ID showed "AT&T Customer Service" as it is programmed into our phones.
The person on the line continued to say, "We are calling from AT&T.... etc. etc.... there is a tower outage in your area you will lose service for anywhere from 2-6 hours. We will post a rebate to your account per hour of service. Please confirm the name on the account, and last 4 digits of social. [BAM, they got him!]"
Phone did go out of service and never came back on. He called AT&T and they said to replace SIM cards. Received a text message from AT&T stating he had racked up $2,600.00 in international calls. Obviously the people got hold of the name on account and last 4 digits and had access to the account to change features, activate sim cards, etc. I know this scam has been going through email but to receive a call is scary.
Fraud department is doing an investigation and will hopefully insure him.
Be careful guys. I know this is One X forums but just spreading the word to my fellow AT&T customers and anyone else.

Wow that is scary, never heard of this before.. Thanks for the heads up.

This is the exact reason I send all calls to voicemail if I don't recognize the number. And I removed all of the ATT numbers from my phone book when I first got the phone since I never use em.

I didn't know I was using so many minutes:what:

18th.abn said:
I didn't know I was using so many minutes:what:
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Lol abn
Op Thnx even tho I'm a rogers customer there's a good chance they'll try this with us too. Hope buddy gets it sorted!
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

Any time anyone calls wanting to confirm something, I make them confirm with me who they are first. With that said, I've only had 2 scam calls in my entire life, and they both hung up after I asked them to identify other info pertaining what they were calling to.
I wonder why anyone would give out their info over the phone. If it's not in person or through a legit, HTTPS site, it's surely a scam.

XNine said:
Any time anyone calls wanting to confirm something, I make them confirm with me who they are first. With that said, I've only had 2 scam calls in my entire life, and they both hung up after I asked them to identify other info pertaining what they were calling to.
I wonder why anyone would give out their info over the phone. If it's not in person or through a legit, HTTPS site, it's surely a scam.
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Yeah I guess it was a simple slip up. Call from Customer Service and sounded legitimate he said and he didn't think twice because the person didn't ask to confirm until the end of the conversation for "rebate", purposes. These scam artists are always eloving. Gotta stay on your toes.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

Happened to one of my coworker's customers yesterday, too. Be careful, people. Customer service doesn't proactively call customers out of the blue.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

I saw this happen to a kid at school yesterday. Told me right after the phonecall what happened.
Sent from my htc_evita using xda app-developers app

Since when did AT&T "proactively" do anything let alone call you to rebate you for an outage. Good AT&T customer service would have been a phone call once his bill hit say $500 if that's out of the ordinary to say "we're seeing unusual usage this month, is this intended". I don't give anything to anyone over the phone relating to social, accounts, etc. But ish happens. Hope he gets it sorted out.

derrickonline said:
Good AT&T customer service would have been a phone call once his bill hit say $500 if that's out of the ordinary to say "we're seeing unusual usage this month, is this intended".
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AT&T did text the guy about the high usage. I think AT&T simply lacks the manpower to call everyone that has unusually high usage. Although its normal for credit cards to make calls whenever suspicious activity is detected, so you may have a point.
Either way (call or text) its probably going to come too late. I racked up some high data usage while overseas, and the text didn't even come until I got home from the trip!
Anyway, thanks to the OP for the heads up.

XNine said:
Any time anyone calls wanting to confirm something, I make them confirm with me who they are first. With that said, I've only had 2 scam calls in my entire life, and they both hung up after I asked them to identify other info pertaining what they were calling to.
I wonder why anyone would give out their info over the phone. If it's not in person or through a legit, HTTPS site, it's surely a scam.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never give personal information out on an incoming call no matter who is calling. I either ask for their extension and call them back after verifying the number on google or i have them open a ticket and do live chat.
But i'm very surprised they were able to do so much damage with just the last 4 of social. This system really needs to change. Why do they use last 4 of social instead of a pin that you've created? Are people not competent enough to remember a pin? Or carriers are afraid most people just use 1234 or 1111?
I'm also surprised they didn't send your friend a text when the changes were made to the account. I usually get a free text from AT&T and sometimes even an email whenver i do anything on my account.
Anyway, i'm very curious as to the liability here. Keep us updated OP!

Sending a text to the account holder wouldn't work, because it seems the scammers are changing SIMs and redirecting the account to their own hardware, from which they make their calls.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD. In between Force Clo...

Wifi calling s3

I know this does not relate to the sgs4g and I don't want to stir anything up here, if it does I expect this thread to get deleted, I know it was brought up earlier here and just wanted to share.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1922861

Port your T-Mobile number to Google for $20 or settle for a free Google voice number. Groove IP and talkatone both are free unlimited wifi/data calling apps...I prefer talkatone myself.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app

$340 bucks so far. Looks like it's a good bounty!

Dell voice works great for me. I chose that though because it's available in Canada and in my city.

Google Voice?

I'm going to be getting a new number with the T-Mobile $30/mo plan (please if someone can clarify the easiest way to get into this plan without getting a phone at Walmart and all I'd be grateful), and I'm interested in Google Voice. I think the features are cool, but I'm worried about how it would work with other people. Can it be set up so that -as far as everyone else is concerned- I have a 'normal' phone number, nothing weird like that they call me on one and I call from another one, etc?
Thanks

adriangb said:
I'm interested in Google Voice. I think the features are cool, but I'm worried about how it would work with other people. Can it be set up so that -as far as everyone else is concerned- I have a 'normal' phone number, nothing weird like that they call me on one and I call from another one, etc?
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Yes, absolutely. You may have to install the GV software from Google Play. Once configured people will only see your GV number (if that is what you want) and it will handle your texts also. Don't forget to switch your phone to your GV voice mail in case someone calls it directly.
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Spes in virtute est. (via XDA app)

So how do I get started? I went to GV and selected new number, but how do I make that 100% my phone number? Do I just download the Google voice app? Will I still be able to place calls without data?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

adriangb said:
So how do I get started? I went to GV and selected new number, but how do I make that 100% my phone number? Do I just download the Google voice app? Will I still be able to place calls without data?
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Yes.
First,make sure you run through the GV settings online on your PC.
Next, download and configure the app for your device. Set it make all calls through GV. Will not use data as far as I know but you will see some funky numbers on your phone bill. GV uses other numbers to make the calls - totally transparent to usage except for the bill. Since most plans today include US wide calling this will not matter.
Not nearly as complicated as it sounds.
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Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have space left on their sd card ... (via Tapatalk)

Thanks a lot. Would you happen to know what the deal is with that T-Mobile plan? Maybe I should ask in the nexus 4 forums...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

adriangb said:
Thanks a lot. Would you happen to know what the deal is with that T-Mobile plan? Maybe I should ask in the nexus 4 forums...
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No idea, sorry. I refuse to update my TMO plan. I have an old Fave5 plan and all the calls I make are to 1 number (my own GV number) and all the calls I get are from the same number (my own GV number) so I use zero minutes a month..
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Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have space left on their sd card ... (via Tapatalk)

Sounds like a good setup. I'm a data guy though, so this $30/mo plan is made for me, unlimited data (5gB @ '4G', then 2G), unlimited SMS, 100 minutes. Seems hard to acquire, unfortunately.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

I just bought a SIM card from their website (99 cents), cut it to micro-sim size using a $1 sticker as a guide, put it in the phone and it worked.
If you're confident with measuring things, you can get instructions to cut the SIM card without a guide. Otherwise, there's the sticker templates and also metal stamp cutters.
Wasn't hard at all - the SIM work-around is just if you have a micro-SD device.

I thought that it had to be activated with a phone bought on Wall Mart
PS: my GSII is a normal sim //oldschool
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It's either from WAL*MART or activated on a new account on-line - it's a little buried in the site, but should be around the monthly 4G stuff. They just can't give you it in stores.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app