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Lower your bill w/ Llama, location based voip over wifi, + googlevoice, automatically

Hi All! This is my first guide/thread so be kind. I was looking for a way to conserve money... I am on boost prepaid and it gets quite expensive when talking, or sending a few txt messages. I found there is a way to activate unconditional call forwarding which, now unfortunately does use up minutes, once activated (*72XXXXXXXXXX for boost) calls are automatically forwarded to a google voice number, and can be deactivated (*720 on boost). There maybe many ways to call forward depending on your carrier; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_forwarding... EDIT: now boost is charging me for forwarded calls, so I just call back with groove... the automation is still helpful though:
I think I have finally found the easiest most reliable method; you will need to enter your forwarding codes if you aren't on boost:
Needed items:
Android phone on carrier of your choice. Or you can use a tablet for wifi only calls, if your tablet doesn't have a mic, then try using a bluetooth headset.. maybe even a usb dongle if there is no bluetooth, but usb is available
Google voice (from market), and a google voice account (to send free SMS messages)
Groove IP ($4.99 one time in market to make/receive free voip calls)
LLama app (free, but we need this test version: http://www.mediafire.com/?qp5dfbqsc8ci88g) This version of LLama includes permission to dial #s, this is needed for forwarding #s, so don't use the one from the market.
In theory, groove IP can work over 3g, but in reality it doesn't for me. A short call to someone on the same cell network works at times, but calling anywhere else results in a choppy frustrating mess... therefore this guide assumes groove only works for you over wifi.
1) Get your apps installed.
2) Open Google voice, login, choose never use google voice to make calls, I had to skip the part where it asks you to setup voicemail because this requires conditional call forwarding (rings phone first then forwards to voicemail) which my carrier doesn't support. Your miles may vary here, but I recommend skipping this for now. When responding to, or sending text messages check the box 'always perform this action' and choose voice. Ask the people who txt you to now txt your google voice number. They will figure this out if you always respond to their messages via the google voice app.
3) Connect to wifi, run Groove IP, and login. Groove can be tricky to get working perfectly, but with some tweaks it works great for me. Here's my grooveIP settings:
uncheck 3g/4g calling, check accept calls on answer, under native dialer options-built in dialer preference- choose wifi only, under native dialer-exclusion numbers, enter your forwarding and 'disable' forwarding codes (dependent on carrier) separated by commas. Under audio/echo settings lower your mic gain, mine is set at -8, but yours may be different. Under miscellaneous check autostart and enter your default area code for easier dialing. Now verify calls are working by dialing the google voice test number: 9093900003. This will echo back everything you say so listen for echos/distortion, then make adjustments necessary. Use the 'troubleshooting' section under settings as a last resort, as you *should* be able to get everything working better if it is working at all at this point... tested on an evo 3d and an evo shift.
4) Run the LLama app. This will take the longest to configure of the three, click through the app and read the little one time dialogue boxes. This is a great free app, so if you find it useful, please donate some money to the developer. The configuration here may take some tweaking depending on your personal lifestyle, but I will share my current configuration(s):
a) Under Areas, I have Home, work, etc, anyplace there is a reliable wifi connection. Locations are based on cell towers and will need to be 'learned'
b) Under events: I deleted all the defaults and created:
* 'Near Hotspot': At 'locations' home, work, friends, family, school, etc (fill these in with your wifi enabled locations), delay for 4 minutes cancelling delayed if false, then turn on wifi.
* 'Wifi connected' When wifi is connected to <Any Wifi network> run Groove IP, run shortcut 'Forward' (direct dial to contact 'Forward' - *72XXXXXXXXXX), queue another event; wait one minute, disable mobile data (optional)
* 'Wifi Disconnected' When the phone is disconnected from <Any Wifi network> delay for one minute and enable mobile data
(disabling/enabling mobile data are optional but help conserve battery)
* 'Away from hotspot': When the phone disconnects from <Any Wifi network> delay for 2 minutes cancelling delayed if false, then disable Wifi, run a direct dial shortcut 'unforward' (*720), then run an android intent com.gvoip.STOP_GROOVE_IP. For this intent, choose custom, broadcast for the intent send mode, the package name is 'com.gvoip', and the action is 'com.gvoip.STOP_GROOVE_IP', leave everything else blank. This is needed because simply killing groove IP will result in it restarting automatically.
c) leave profile tab alone for now
d) troubleshoot to work out glitches... you can use the little clock icon in LLama to see history and what triggered last events
This does take some initial configuration/tweaking, but once everything works, it's just awesome. Now whenever I'm nearby a wifi hotspot I don't have to pay for minutes when making calls, and SMS through google voice is free always. Best of all, everything happens automatically so you don't forget about connecting wifi, forwarding/unforwarding, or starting/stopping groove IP. Remember to hit thanks if this helps you lower your phone bill.
**Edit**
This guide may still be helpful for a quite a few people, but unfortunately Boost is now using minutes on forwarded inbound connections... which sucks, because they weren't for about 2 months, and nothing changed. What you can do though, is leave out the forwarding aspect of this automation sequence. When people call, just don't answer and call them back right away via groove, or sms from google voice, this way you will still be able to conserve your minutes while on wifi. You still must use minutes both calling and receiving a call while driving or in motion, and google voice is always free for sms.

Terrific guide. Very detailed, thanks button pressed. Quickie question: If I begin a call on WiFi, but wander away from the hotspot coverage, it will drop correct?
Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey KidFromBigD, like your logo, I am a fellow boilermaker
To answer your question: you would drop the call if you were to disconnect from wifi or leave the area. This is why it's important to stay in range of the wifi hotspot, make sure there is no interference by doing a scan initially and setting your router to a channel not occupied. Also make sure transmission or your other torrent client isn't running full throttle, otherwise voice will sound all garbled. In terms of QoS voip should be prioritized, but I don't think all home routers treat groove with priority.

q-killer said:
Hey KidFromBigD, like your logo, I am a fellow boilermaker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, since I installed llama, I've been obsessed with making it work for me. Truly haven't even scratched the surface of what this thing can do. Of course your original post described how to make VoIP calls with Groove, but running out of minutes hasn't been a problem for me. This is why I like the forums: You never know what you'll see and how you can improve your smartphone experience with a simple app.
PS: Earned my BSEE from Purdue in 1992.

You could port your number to google voice to get around forwarding
I am using GrooveIP and Llama as well, I ported my number to google voice and i have all calls go to 'chat'. when I am on Wifi, I will receive calls, but when I have data turned off (when I am not on wifi I usually do) it goes to voice mail. The fact that Google Voice is involved is transparent to people calling me. I don't think you have anything to lose if you port your number to google voice, because then it can follow you across any carrier, sim card or phone.
If I am expecting an important call I will forward to both my mobile number (sim card number) and to chat. So I can pick up if I need to.
This is not perfect but it saves a ton of minutes.
I would like to have llama change my GV to forward calls only to chat during wifi connections, and then forward to my mobile number when not on wifi. anyone know how to do this?
Thanks for the tutorial

[Q] Reliable VoIP over 4G/LTE

Hello all. I created this thread to get ideas and solutions to a big problem that I am having.
I need to have RELIABLE VoIP over 4G/LTE. By reliable, I mean I will ALWAYS receive my call, and I don't have any difficulties MAKING my calls (like the registration dropping without notice). As I also need SMS across the same number that I am using, the only solution I have found is Google Voice, so that has to be integrated as well.
I think I have tried just about every solution out there to utilize SIP with GV. Either my settings suck on every app I've tried, the app drains power like no tomorrow, or the connection says it's there, but I don't receive my calls. There are only two methods I have found that work great with GV.
1) GrooveIP works great, but only when I first turn it on and sign in, and don't turn off the screen. Once the phone tries to sleep once, my reliability goes way down. In addition, GroovIP doesn't work so well when on the move. Says it is logged in, but doesn't actually work until logged out and back in again.
2) The GV app. This work perfectly, every time, and probably because by its nature it doesn't use SIP at all. The CAVEAT here is, it only intercepts an outgoing "mobile" call. If all you have is a data plan, it won't work.
I want (2) from above to work. I can get a reliable SIP connection from my paid SIP provider, Anveo. What I need is a way to get Android to think my SIP connection IS my mobile connection, so that the GV app will intercept it and call my incoming SIP trunk so that I can make the call.
Any solutions to this that anyone knows of?

bump!

You can use CSipSimple + PBXes.org as a 3rd option. Read this thread for some good information!
The reason for the poorer performance when the screen is off is because Android lowers the wifi power level when in sleep mode to prolong battery, which makes for worse SIP performance. This is also discussed in the thread I linked.

I would like to note here, I do not use WiFi. My setup is strictly high-speed 4G+LTE on AT&T. My ping times are typically very low and data is at least 3 Mbps. That should be plenty to get WiFi like quality, and the phone does not power down the cellular radio (at least, I've never heard of it).
Unfortunately, as far as I can make it work, CSIPsimple can not substitute as a "mobile' network, and therefore make use of the GVoice bridging.

Same situation here with GrooveIP. I am on Prism phone with T-Mobile (don't actually ever get 4G (even though both, the phone and the plan are advertized as 4G, and people right next to me do get 4G from T-mobile), but get stable 3G.
I also noticed it has something to do with Wi-Fi. I think GrooveIP actually prefers Wifi over data connection, because it would be happily green, until I walk into a wifi area and then it goes red and back to green. I didn't know that WiFi gets powered down during sleep. Since it does, then there is no reason keeping in on. Thank you for the tip!
I will have it strictly on data tomorrow (WiFi off), and see if GrooveIP ever disconnects.
Another weird thing about GrooveIP is that when you use it to call you t-mobile message box, the t-mobile system is not able to read your numerical commands, as if it was missing a random number. Say your pin is 1234, then it will "hear" 123, or 234, or 134 and so on.
But, as far as my own search, this is the only app that allows both incoming and outgoing calls and doesn't trigger minutes count as GV does.

OK, today, I changed some more options in GrooveIP, those having to do with GrooveIP staying on, including having my wifi off all day.
Results are negative, still goes red from time to time, but much less often.
Further options include activating the auto renew option (timed resign-on every hour or so).
I believe this should be possible to do.

bluespire said:
What I need is a way to get Android to think my SIP connection IS my mobile connection, so that the GV app will intercept it and call my incoming SIP trunk so that I can make the call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 100% sure what you meant by GV app intercepting SIP connection.

acegolfer said:
Not 100% sure what you meant by GV app intercepting SIP connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GV app can intercept a call, and then alters the call log DB and some other things. It sends, via data, a request to GV to have GV bridge the call, thereby using the celluar network to make the call. As I understand, GV calls the number I want using my GV #, then GV calls my cell, bridging the call. Unfortunately, GV will ONLY intercept a call made using the "mobile" connection, and won't intercept my SIP (or "internet") calls.

bluespire said:
As I understand, GV calls the number I want using my GV #, then GV calls my cell, bridging the call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand bridging is how Google voice website works. Google will call you and then connect to the recipient. But I doubt that's how the android gv app works.
Even with GV app, the phone is initiating the call. All android gv app does is to spoof the caller id (CID) as gv number. So the recipient sees your GV number not the mobile number.
I'm still confused what you are trying to do. Because in the OP, you wrote
"I need to have RELIABLE VoIP over 4G/LTE"
"I can get a reliable SIP connection from my paid SIP provider, Anveo." These 2 are contradictory.
Are you trying to display your GV number as CID when making internet calls? If so, you have 3 options.
1. Ask whether Anveo (whoever your VSP) can spoof your CID. Some allow this.
2. Use pbxes and spoof CID as GV number.
3. Use pbxes with gtalk trunk.
Hope this helps.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

acegolfer said:
I understand bridging is how Google voice website works. Google will call you and then connect to the recipient. But I doubt that's how the android gv app works.
Even with GV app, the phone is initiating the call. All android gv app does is to spoof the caller id (CID) as gv number. So the recipient sees your GV number not the mobile number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are correct in that my phone makes the call. However, when I look at my bill, I am calling a few specific numbers. Which means GV is still bridging the call. What the APP does is tell GV to expect my call, and then route me to my actual caller. The GV app then spoofs/alters my call log.
I'm still confused what you are trying to do. Because in the OP, you wrote
"I need to have RELIABLE VoIP over 4G/LTE"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant this is my goal.
"I can get a reliable SIP connection from my paid SIP provider, Anveo." These 2 are contradictory.
Are you trying to display your GV number as CID when making internet calls? If so, you have 3 options.
1. Ask whether Anveo (whoever your VSP) can spoof your CID. Some allow this.
2. Use pbxes and spoof CID as GV number.
3. Use pbxes with gtalk trunk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 1) I'll have to check into this.
For 2) Am I using pbxes for only this purpose? Or am I routing my call via them? So far, I have ONLY been able to get reliable SIP via Anveo. I've tried a number of carriers.
For 3) I tried this. I used SIP Sorcery to bridge IPKall with GVoice. Strangely, the only time I got it to work was in India. Since I got back to the states it hasn't worked, and nothing I do seems to get it to work right. I consider myself very capable at troubleshooting these problems. Therefore, I consider it unreliable. Also, GVoice only allows 1 codec, which from my reading is NOT the best for 4G use.

bluespire said:
For 2) Am I using pbxes for only this purpose? Or am I routing my call via them? So far, I have ONLY been able to get reliable SIP via Anveo. I've tried a number of carriers.
For 3) I tried this. I used SIP Sorcery to bridge IPKall with GVoice. Strangely, the only time I got it to work was in India. Since I got back to the states it hasn't worked, and nothing I do seems to get it to work right. I consider myself very capable at troubleshooting these problems. Therefore, I consider it unreliable. Also, GVoice only allows 1 codec, which from my reading is NOT the best for 4G use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2. Pbxes is not a VoIP provider. It's a system to manage your VoIP accounts. You can link your reliable anveo within pbxes and have pbxes initiate the call with your gv number showing as cid. You don't need to route the incoming calls.
3. I have used sipsorcery in the past, which is known for its flaky behavior. I agree its completely unreliable. But pbxes with gtalk trunk has been rock solid for me.
If you go to nexus 4 forum, I posted a method to make free VoIP calls using ilbc codec, which is the best codec for mobile data connection. My call quality is often better than tmobile's gsm calls.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

acegolfer said:
2. Pbxes is not a VoIP provider. It's a system to manage your VoIP accounts. You can link your reliable anveo within pbxes and have pbxes initiate the call with your gv number showing as cid. You don't need to route the incoming calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought PBXes has a 1000 minute limit or something like that. Would I have all the same features as Sip Sorcery?
3. I have used sipsorcery in the past, which is known for its flaky behavior. I agree its completely unreliable. But pbxes with gtalk trunk has been rock solid for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know I am not the only one.
If you go to nexus 4 forum, I posted a method to make free VoIP calls using ilbc codec, which is the best codec for mobile data connection. My call quality is often better than tmobile's gsm calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post the link, please?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35701104
Not easy to do while on the phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

acegolfer said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35701104
Not easy to do while on the phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, when you say "reliable", what caveats are there to that? For instance, have you noticed problems with the phone picking up the call? Ever bad audio, or one-way audio, etc. See here's the thing, I can cope with many problems, but I have to pass the WAD (wife acceptance factor). On top of that, I WANT it to be reliable enough to set up her phone with it. Since both will be on a well-covered AT&T LTE network with low population, the network should not be an issue. I get 4G at my house, but it's good signal. I get up the hill and I'm golden.

bluespire said:
Now, when you say "reliable", what caveats are there to that? For instance, have you noticed problems with the phone picking up the call? Ever bad audio, or one-way audio, etc. See here's the thing, I can cope with many problems, but I have to pass the WAD (wife acceptance factor). On top of that, I WANT it to be reliable enough to set up her phone with it. Since both will be on a well-covered AT&T LTE network with low population, the network should not be an issue. I get 4G at my house, but it's good signal. I get up the hill and I'm golden.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I passed WAF. Good luck!
Most of your issues are answered on that thread.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

SIP Trunk anyone?

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.

[HOW TO] Use Xperia Tablet Z as Telephone via WiFi (US Only)

You can use an Xperia Tablet Z as a telephone via WiFi after setting up the tablet as described below.
Notes:
1. Doing this will not be free, it will cost $4.99 USD, the price of GrooVe IP app. This is a one-time cost.
2. This will only work in the United States of America, a limitation of Google Voice.
3. This will enable you to make and receive telephone calls and send and receive SMS text messages. Calls and text messages should be free; however, read Google Voice Terms.
4. I have tested this on my XTZ and STS only. It should also work on other tablets.
5. This is based on information found at THIS POST.
Requirements:
1. WiFi access at home, work, wherever.
2. A Gmail account.
3. GrooVe IP app available from Google Play Store for $4.99 USD.
4. Google Voice app available from Google Play Store for free.
5. Google Hangouts (replaced Google Talk) app available from Google Play Store for free, but it should already be installed on your tablet.
Instructions:
1. Install GrooVe IP, Google Voice, and Google Hangouts (should already be installed) onto your tablet.
2. Go on-line to www.google.com/voice and sign in using your Gmail address, then follow the on-line instructions to setup a Google Voice account and get a Google Voice telephone number. Next, go into the on-line Google Voice account settings and set Forward calls to Google Chat to ON (checked).
3. On your tablet, open Google Hangouts and sign in using your Gmail address. Exit Google Hangouts.
4. On your tablet, open GrooVe IP and sign in using your Gmail address. Go into GrooVe IP settings, select Miscellaneous, then select Startup and set Autostart to ON (checked). Exit GrooVe IP.
5. On your tablet, open Google Voice and sign in using your Gmail address. Go into Google Voice settings, select Sync and notifications, then select Select ringtone and pick a ringtone sound. Exit Google Voice.
6. On your tablet, open GrooVe IP and make a telephone call or call your tablet from a real telephone using the Google Voice telephone number.
I recommend you read all information provided on-line for GrooVe IP, Google Voice, and Google Hangouts. I also recommend you go through the settings for GrooVe IP, Google Voice, and Google Hangouts and set them to meet your needs.
Feedback is appreciated. Good luck.

thx for tutorial
Being an avid Twit.tv follower, and hearing Leo extol the virtues of a set up like this with an ooma, or an obi phone, I figured this could be tackled. I recently bought into the Ting network (another twit network advertiser), and got a 3g<wifi access point device to make playing Ingress more palatable on my STS. I'll give this a shot when it arrives next week, and give a little feedback. I don't really plan to use it, but always wondered if I could get it all to work right when I heard him talk about the advantages of it. With Ting being an extreme pay-as-you go option, and the perks that google voice provides, it could become a viable alternative to my tracfone - as long as google voice stays free (no reason it shouldn't, but you never know). Thx again for the stepxstep.

grrrrrrrr.
everything installed well, things went smooth, but cannot get audio out to anyone - whether I initiate the call, or they do. Tried numerous settings in GrooveIP, but nothing helped. May dig further in GVoice settings, after I recharge everything. Audio in, no problem. Calls outgoing, and incoming, no problem. Just no audio out. Strange. Wonder if it has anything to do with my GVoice account being tied to my home phone? Hard to say at the moment. Updates to come. Tips and tricks (possibilities) accepted gratefully

LNRrgB said:
everything installed well, things went smooth, but cannot get audio out to anyone - whether I initiate the call, or they do. Tried numerous settings in GrooveIP, but nothing helped. May dig further in GVoice settings, after I recharge everything. Audio in, no problem. Calls outgoing, and incoming, no problem. Just no audio out. Strange. Wonder if it has anything to do with my GVoice account being tied to my home phone? Hard to say at the moment. Updates to come. Tips and tricks (possibilities) accepted gratefully
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you used or tested the tablet's microphone with any other apps to make sure the microphone is working? Is your tablet in a case that may be covering the microphone? Have you tried adjusting GrooVe IP's Microphone Volume setting? Mine is set to the default value of -2.
The only problem I experienced was with echoing, but that was solved by enabling echo cancellation and adjusting the echo tail time.

Covered the basics
It works with stock camera app. I adjusted the mic volume, and tested a couple options alluded to in their troubleshooting section. It is hard for me to test things out, until I get somewhere with a separate landlines. I bet it is something simple. Just have to hit some forums. Hopefully, I shall prevail!

update
The positive: This actually works, and possibly was working, when I last posted.
The negative: Depending on how I am using it, access to the microphone breaks, but is recoverable with a reboot.
So I made progress, kinda. What I found was that upon a reboot, my microphone functions system wide until I use grooveIP to make an outbound call. Once that call is over, my microphone is no longer useable by any application, until I reboot the system. I can recieve calls all day long, without losing access to my microphone, but once I initiate a call, grooveIP, or some part of the process involved, doesn't release access to the microphone.
Now that I have figured this much out, I may be able to troubleshoot some more, and figure out a better solution than a full reboot. I have not contacted grooveIP either, yet, though maybe they could suggest an easy fix.
Kinda cool getting/making calls with this thing. Bit of a lag issue, but I may be able to attenuate that some.

VOIP on the Nexus 5

My fiancée and I got ourselves a pair of Nexus 5's a couple of weeks ago, switched from Verizon to the T-Mo $30 100/Unlimited/5GB(Unlimited) plan and are now happily saving over $100 a month in the process. Yay us!
However, I've been struggling with VOIP with varying degrees of success. I've spent a considerable amount of time researching and configuring and tweaking, and I'd like to share my findings, as well as get some feedback on some things I may have missed.
One of the first things I tried was the Google Voice/PBXes/CSipSimple method, which produced terrible call quality. Everything from echo to background noise. No matter what I did (and believe me, I tried everything I could find) the call quality was just terrible. Changing the mic source, enabling mode audio API, changing the SIP audio mode, changing codecs, nothing really helped. Battery life was great, but the call quality was pretty much unusable. I could hear myself echoing, the other party could hear their own voice echoing, and/or there'd be too much background noise, or I'd be too quiet, etc.
Next, I tried Talkatone (paid for premium). Connection problems galore! I'd have several "lag fests" over WiFi (never tried it on LTE) even when I was sitting right at the router. Everything would cut out for about 30-45 seconds and then resume as if nothing happened, and this occurred 2-3 times over the course of a 10-15 minute call. Yes, I ruled out a connection/router issue. Battery life was "OK" but it wasn't as good as it was with CSipSimple.
I then tried GrooveIP (paid). Lots of echo here. Again, no setting or combination of settings really seemed to get rid of it. Tried as I might, the echo was always there. Battery life was on par with Talkatone.
Next, I decided I'd go a different direction and tried Skype. The voice quality was much improved, with no echo, but complaints of background noise, especially while on speakerphone. This has been passable, though not "ideal" (I know, VOIP isn't perfect). The big issue with Skype has been the absurd battery drain. A 30 minute call drained my battery by almost 20% and Skype was topping the charts by a long shot on the battery usage.
I know there are other options out there such as Viber, but I've not seen a whole lot out of them in terms of reviews, etc. I may just end up trying Viber and seeing how it pans out, but the options are starting to run out.
I know part of the problem is the same one the Nexus 4 had with the microphone(s) but, I'd like to think I just might be overlooking something. If anyone feels they've "solved the problem" please share your settings, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels as though they're banging their head against a wall here.

Fenuxx said:
I know there are other options out there such as Viber, but I've not seen a whole lot out of them in terms of reviews, etc. I may just end up trying Viber and seeing how it pans out, but the options are starting to run out.
I know part of the problem is the same one the Nexus 4 had with the microphone(s) but, I'd like to think I just might be overlooking something. If anyone feels they've "solved the problem" please share your settings, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels as though they're banging their head against a wall here.
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Viber works well for me and I only hear a slight echo if I'm talking with Nexus 4 users. Give it a shot. Tango might be worth a try, too. Good luck.

Well, I believe Csipsimple is the best voip client available. So, you'll most likely want to go back to your first solution, but replace pbxes with Callcentric, voip.ms or another voip provider. I've tried everything you did as well (plus a few more options) and with the exception of Skype, found the quality to be unacceptable. What I'm suggesting won't be free, but the cost is extremely low. Actually, voip.ms could be a very good solution for you. You would establish and fund one "account", but set up separate "sub-accounts" for yourself and your fiance. If you wanted to use GV exclusively, you could then purchase a couple of DIDs and set up GV to forward to them. I use an app on my phone called Groove Forwarder that changes my GV forwarding settings based on my data connection. If I'm on LTE, etc..., it forwards to my T-Mobile number. When I'm connected to Wi-Fi though, it switches to my Flowroute (another voip provider) number. Also fwiw, you can use voip over LTE if you want. Being in a moving vehicle set up that way will cause issues however.

adrman said:
Well, I believe Csipsimple is the best voip client available. So, you'll most likely want to go back to your first solution, but replace pbxes with Callcentric, voip.ms or another voip provider. I've tried everything you did as well (plus a few more options) and with the exception of Skype, found the quality to be unacceptable. What I'm suggesting won't be free, but the cost is extremely low. Actually, voip.ms could be a very good solution for you. You would establish and fund one "account", but set up separate "sub-accounts" for yourself and your fiance. If you wanted to use GV exclusively, you could then purchase a couple of DIDs and set up GV to forward to them. I use an app on my phone called Groove Forwarder that changes my GV forwarding settings based on my data connection. If I'm on LTE, etc..., it forwards to my T-Mobile number. When I'm connected to Wi-Fi though, it switches to my Flowroute (another voip provider) number. Also fwiw, you can use voip over LTE if you want. Being in a moving vehicle set up that way will cause issues however.
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Yeah, I also tried the Callcentric+PBXes route for the iLBC codec, which didn't seem to help. I'm not entirely convinced it's the PBX provider that's at fault, as I don't have these weird audio issues with CSipSimple+PBXes/Callcentric on my "home phone" (separate Google Voice account) which is an old DROID Incredible 2. Voice quality there is fine.
I did look into voip.ms, but when I signed up (late at night), they forced a "manual authentication" on me (why, I don't know) and I needed to contact support. I tried logging in the following morning, only to be greeted with a message about my IP address not being whiteflagged and not being authorized to access the account. Being that my IP address is dynamic, I don't think I want to constantly fight that battle about "approving" my IP address whenever it changes.

Create a ticket with voip.ms support to inquire. I've only good things to say about their response times and help.

Does anyone have bluetooth headsets working with csipsimple? On my nexus 5 I've yet to find a sip phone that works correctly with a headset.

Fenuxx said:
I then tried GrooveIP (paid). Lots of echo here. Again, no setting or combination of settings really seemed to get rid of it. Tried as I might, the echo was always there. Battery life was on par with Talkatone.
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groove and google voice gave me no echo when calling a landline from my wifi connection. i think this has to be your internet access that would be messing this up. . .or maybe it's just bad for voip to voip calls

I can personally attest to voip.ms + csipsimple + g729 codec ($10 dollars in the playstore) reliability as a voip setup for my Nexus 5. My set up is basically that GV forwards to my voip.ms DID which rings directly to my Nexus 5's csipsimple app. In the event that im not registered in csipsimple (e.g. lose connection, servers go down, etc) I have failover set up w/ voip.ms to ring to my real tmobile phone number. I have zero issues with call quality or echo and I have had full conversations with people on the phone even while driving. I also used this guys tip when first setting up, these may or may not change a thing but Ive had my csipsimple configured with these settings since day 1 also.
1. Go to settings
2. Click the menu button -> Expert Mode
3. Go to “media” -> select echo mode and choose WebRTC (probably already chosen)
4. In “media” go to “Audio troubleshooting” -> “Mic source” -> Voice call
5. in “Audio troubleshooting” -> “Audio implementation” -> Java

I use flowroute + csimpsimple (G729). Call quality is excellent and low latency on WiFi and LTE, and not bad over HSPA/HSPA+.
My main issue at the moment is bluetooth. I cannot get it to work with the bluetooth in my car (only bluetooth I have). I can get incoming audio OK, but it appears to be using the phone microphone for outgoing audio instead of the car microphone and it's very garbled and noisy.

There was a software issue in 4.2 regarding inline mic gain, 4.2.2 fixed it. GroovIP free worked fine for me after the update. There is only a few months left of google voice as they are shutting it down on May 15, 2014.

I have been using Viber for over two years. Works perfectly fine. Try it.
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