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.
Related
This has been posted before but I thought I would do a quick and easy how to, for those that don't have this working yet.
You can use GoogleVoice and sipdroid to make free calls from your tab as long as you have either a good wifi or 3G connection.
First Download GooglVoice and set it up, if you haven't already.
Second Download SipDroid from the android market (free).
Open sipdroid, there will be an option to set up a new pbxes account linked to your google voice account. (free) Click this button. Set your google voice to forward to your gtalk in google voice settings.
3rd - Make and receive free phone calls on any Galaxy tab with a data connection!
I tried this and had no problems making outbound calls, but could not receive inbound calls. I messed around with sipdroid a bit and saw that I had to go into the account and toggle the "use 3g" and "use edge" buttons. I don't know if it's mine tab only but it worked. Also, I had the skype workaround before and this seems much cleaner.
Does this eat up a lot of data while not in a call, stand-by I guess?
Thanks for posting this by the way, I finally got tired of the skype alternative and basically gave up hope of having voice on my tab.
One more thing, sorry. Is this solution reliable enough to replace a cell phone? Or have you heard of anyone who has ditched their cell and used their tab as the replacement?
Hmm, it won't let me sign up for a pbx account. It keeps saying that i have an invalid character in my username. I am guessing that you can't have a period in your name
Any way around this so i can keep my gv #?
Looks like this method has died now as Google -> Gtalk -> SIP is not supported. Tried for almost 2 hours last night before I found this out.
Doesn't look like you're from the US as GV only works for US users.
I recently jumped from a Captivate to an Epic 4g, of course that means AT&T to Sprint, but I didn't want to sell my Captivate I love it so...
I decided it was time to manufacture an @home landline. A couple hours of fiddling have resulted in my ability to use Google Voice for free inbound and outbound on a phone with no cell service, all just over wifi. I didn't know where to stick this... so here it is.
I found this method a little bit easier than using PBXes.org as honestly I didn't find an updated guide to setting up such a thing, and I wasn't following those guides very well anyways, but wanted a project that I could grind out in an evening.
Have an Android phone without current cell service? Or just have a geek gnawing on your insides? Follow along.
Step 1, Install Google Voice, Google Voice Call Back, and Sipdroid on your Android phone, reset the phone.
Step 2, Sign up at sip2sip.info for a SIP number.
Step 3 Register that sip info (found in your email now) at www.ipkall.com, also enter that same info into your Sipdroid app in the sip account settings on said phone.
Mandatory! Test call the number ipkall assigned you from another phone, your SipDroid should ring, answer it and verify. This way if the number is not valid in Google Voice, ipkall will assign you a new number the next time you signup. If you don't test call, you will get assigned the same number, over and over.
Step 4 (possible tedium) Find a number available from ipkall that isn't already sitting registered but expired in Google Voice, this may require registering and deleting your account at IPKall multiple times to get a valid number for use at Google Voice.
Note: Ipkall gives you only Washington state numbers, I recommend the (206) area codes as I tried 12 of the (425) area codes all of which failed as they had previously been registered in Google Voice. Don't worry about what state this number is in, this number is just a go-between, you will in the end be using your Google Voice number.
Step 5 Register the inbound only washington state number ipkall assigns (the one you found that works) into google voice so that it is your forwarding number.
Test call Google Voice number, your SipDroid should ring.
Step 6 Make sure Google Voice app is used for all outbound calls on your phone, I can't guarantee this is needed, but theres no point in not having this assigned as the phone is otherwise dead to the world.
Step 7 Make sure that Google Voice Call Back is intercepting all calls.
Outbound test call... call someone who cares.
The way Call Back works in this fun little project is GVCB will intercept all calls made, call you back from your google voice number... which in turn is forwarding to your ipkall number which is forwarding to your SIP number which will cause SIPdroid to ring your phone, then when you answer the "call back," it will immediately ring the number you dialed. All free, but perhaps a bit tedious for the average phone user. This circumvents the need for a mobile number associated with the phone being used.
Awesome! this is what I need! Pbxes doesn't seem to want to let me register, and I have almost zero signal at my new place. So, I got to step 3, tried calling the number and i get a recording telling me that my call can't be completed due to network error, error #101. Not sure what that means...
edit-nevermind, bad setup. Now I've got it to ring sipdroid, but I can't hear anything. Trying to verify the number with GV, but this lack of audio is troubling.
did you reboot the phone after getting sipdroid installed?
Also try playing around with the audio codecs, limiting it to a couple at a time to see which will work. I had the same problem at first but after one of these things the audio came in clear as a bell and havent had a problem since.
sevenvt said:
did you reboot the phone after getting sipdroid installed?
Also try playing around with the audio codecs, limiting it to a couple at a time to see which will work. I had the same problem at first but after one of these things the audio came in clear as a bell and havent had a problem since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alright, i'll try rebooting and different codecs. Only problem now is that I don't have a second phone to test it with, so i'll be waiting until Monday to use the work phone.
thanks! great thread
Yes, the 2nd phone makes this process easier, otherwise you can't complete the test calls to the ipkall phone number, and you also can't test any changes or audio. I popped half a headset each on either side of my head one plugged into each phone and tested my setup that way, muting either phone and making sure audio was getting through to the opposite ear.
Edit: I also found that if i was testing the phone side by side with the phone used to call it, I had to practically yell to get my voice to register on my sipdroid. After muting the other phone, sound worked perfectly.
I am having trouble getting my Sipdroid to dial out. I have not had any issues with receiving calls either through the IPKall issued number, or through Google Voice redirected to the IPKall number.
Whenever I try to dial out using either IPKall or Google Voice it attempts to make the call and immediately ends.
Nevermind, I now realize the need/use of Google Voice Callback. Everything seems to be working just dandy now. Thanks!
Well, tried all of the different codecs, some don't allow the call to connect, but in the end, none of them allowed me to have audio either incoming or outgoing, so I guess this isn't going to work for me....can anyone that has this working, possibly with Cognition, give me their EXACT settings?
call options i have "sipdroid only"
audio video I have all gains to medium (no audio if i increase or decrease any of these)
I have pcma pcmu and bv16 codecs enabled over wlan only, others disabled.
Wifi is set to never sleep and sipdroid itself is not allowed control over power.
All other settings are stock.
Again, I noticed that if the one of the lines was not muted, my sipdroid didn't give me audio back, but would still feed my test line audio.
So I call my googlevoice, I pickup, I talk into sipdroid and hear my voice on the test phone, I talk into testphone (without sipdroid muted) and I get no audio. I mute sipdroid and talk into test phone and sipdroid picks it up just fine. Same in reverse muting.
sevenvt said:
call options i have "sipdroid only"
audio video I have all gains to medium (no audio if i increase or decrease any of these)
I have pcma pcmu and bv16 codecs enabled over wlan only, others disabled.
Wifi is set to never sleep and sipdroid itself is not allowed control over power.
All other settings are stock.
Again, I noticed that if the one of the lines was not muted, my sipdroid didn't give me audio back, but would still feed my test line audio.
So I call my googlevoice, I pickup, I talk into sipdroid and hear my voice on the test phone, I talk into testphone (without sipdroid muted) and I get no audio. I mute sipdroid and talk into test phone and sipdroid picks it up just fine. Same in reverse muting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info! I tried your settings, still no audio. Really annoyed. Oh well.
Trying calling 3333 on SipDroid. That will connect to sip2sip's audio test. If you do not hear any audio then there is something wrong with your settings to sip2sip.
Shouko said:
Trying calling 3333 on SipDroid. That will connect to sip2sip's audio test. If you do not hear any audio then there is something wrong with your settings to sip2sip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried, no audio. What should I have for settings? here's what's there now-
server - proxy.sipthor.net
Domain - sip2sip.info
username or caller ID - not entered
port - 5060
protocol - udp
and then I've only checked off "Use WLAN".
I've tried TCP for the protocol, but then the program never logs in, dot just stays yellow.
These are the same settings I have except of course with my username
One thing we haven't considered is your port handling on whatever router you have going on or firewalls.
Authorization Username
<sip2sip2 phone number>
Server or Proxy
proxy.sipthor.net
Domain
sip2sip.info
Port
5060
Protocol
UDP
Use WLAN
These were the settings I used for SipDroid. If it still does not work, you can try CSipSimple.
Shouko said:
Authorization Username
<sip2sip2 phone number>
Server or Proxy
proxy.sipthor.net
Domain
sip2sip.info
Port
5060
Protocol
UDP
Use WLAN
These were the settings I used for SipDroid. If it still does not work, you can try CSipSimple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK...so, CSsipsimple is nice, i like the interface more than Sipdroid, but it too lacks audio. Could this be a network problem? I've yet to try this on my home router, since I have no phone to test it with there. I guess I could test it over 3g?
edit- yep! 3g works...annoying. guess I can go ahead and set the rest up, and hope that I can get it to work at home. Called my GV number, Csipsimple rang, so it's routing correctly, I heard myself on both ends. Confused as to how GV call back works, and if I really need it.
ryboto said:
OK...so, CSsipsimple is nice, i like the interface more than Sipdroid, but it too lacks audio. Could this be a network problem? I've yet to try this on my home router, since I have no phone to test it with there. I guess I could test it over 3g?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using a public or work wifi, most likely some ports will be blocked.
ryboto said:
edit- yep! 3g works...annoying. guess I can go ahead and set the rest up, and hope that I can get it to work at home. Called my GV number, Csipsimple rang, so it's routing correctly, I heard myself on both ends. Confused as to how GV call back works, and if I really need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IPKall only allows incoming calls. So you would need to use Google Voice Callback to make outgoing calls. GVCB uses Google Voice to call your IPKall number. Then when you pickup (free incoming), GV will connect you to the number you want to call. When you configure GVBC, you need to set your callback number to your IPKall number.
Shouko said:
If you are using a public or work wifi, most likely some ports will be blocked.
IPKall only allows incoming calls. So you would need to use Google Voice Callback to make outgoing calls. GVCB uses Google Voice to call your IPKall number. Then when you pickup (free incoming), GV will connect you to the number you want to call. When you configure GVBC, you need to set your callback number to your IPKall number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I figured out how it worked, made some calls. There's a HUGE delay though, possibly around 1-1.5 seconds, and apparently my audio breaks up. I made some calls over wifi at home when this happened. Also, CSipsimple has trouble registering my SIP randomly, whereas Sipdroid always connects. I just need this to be a little more reliable. There's no way I can have a conversation with that much delay.
has anyone tried this over or virgin mobile? does this work over cell internet? because an optimus or intercept with this for $25 month with unlimited internet would be awesome. even better if you can get a modded epic or fascinate on virgin mobile. maybe the speeds would suck but it beats what i am paying right now.
even better, metro pcs has lte in my area (seriously, they beat verizon and att to that wtf?) and a phone that is like a galaxy s with a crappy screen and camera on it. still should be fast and cheap, just need a way to get around paying for talk minutes.
What is the voice calling capability found in Gmail (on the desktop) called officially? I've been trying to search for solutions for this, but I don't even know what to call it- Google has SO many voice services now (chat, talk, voice, etc) that all sound like the same thing, yet aren't!
Here's what I'm looking to do:
I used the phone call function in Gmail to call abroad a few weeks ago via my laptop. I put about $10 into my balance there because it was cheaper per minute to call outside the US than Skype was. Worked perfectly.
Now, I'm trying to see if I can replace my netbook with a Tablet, so I'm trying to make those same calls from Android. I'll be honest, I'm wishing I had picked Skype to put the $10 credit on! Skype seems pretty straight forward- install it on the android device, make calls. But I've already spent the $10 on Google, so I'd like to find a way to make this work!
I tried going to Gmail from the browser and seeing if there was a link to install an app or something to make calls (like there is on the desktop side of things), but there is nothing there (ok, I didn't really expect it to work like that, but worth a try).
Is this part of a google chat application or something? Or is there no way to use that calling credit on an Android device??
I don't know for sure, but here are two options:
* Change the user agent in your Android browser to "Desktop" and use that interface. Though I am not sure if there will be issues with that.
* Use Google Voice. Which I am pretty sure is part of the same service they are using for Gmail calling. I use this for everything so I can read and send texts from my computer.
Tubes6al4v said:
I don't know for sure, but here are two options:
* Change the user agent in your Android browser to "Desktop" and use that interface. Though I am not sure if there will be issues with that.
* Use Google Voice. Which I am pretty sure is part of the same service they are using for Gmail calling. I use this for everything so I can read and send texts from my computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I tried the first one, but it requires a browser plugin to work (which is windows/mac only, so I can't get past that point).
Google Voice sounds like it could be it... but as far as I know, GV on Android doesn't actually let you place calls over IP yet, does it?
I thought it requires you to have a phone number it can call and then connect you via regular cellular minutes to the other party?
The device I'm using for this is a Tablet PC, so there isn't even a cellular radio or phone call system present. I'm trying to determine if I can replace a netbook for all the functions I use it for. This is something I know I can do on the netbook over wifi using the dialer in gmail, so I'd like to know I can do it on the Tablet as well. Does GVoice do that?
It's a paid app, but download GrooVe IP. It's the same thing that you did on your laptop, but with Android.
It is a third party app. But you get free, reliable calling anywhere in the US and get to use Google Voice's cheap international calling plans. [Edit: Over wifi, of course]
Dishe said:
So, I tried the first one, but it requires a browser plugin to work (which is windows/mac only, so I can't get past that point).
Google Voice sounds like it could be it... but as far as I know, GV on Android doesn't actually let you place calls over IP yet, does it?
I thought it requires you to have a phone number it can call and then connect you via regular cellular minutes to the other party?
The device I'm using for this is a Tablet PC, so there isn't even a cellular radio or phone call system present. I'm trying to determine if I can replace a netbook for all the functions I use it for. This is something I know I can do on the netbook over wifi using the dialer in gmail, so I'd like to know I can do it on the Tablet as well. Does GVoice do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the new google talk for android 2.3.4 allows for vid chat (so probably just voice as well), over wifi or 3g. there are ways to get it on 2.3.3 devices, for some devices, maybe not all, don't know. but, i chatted with my buddy from my phone to his pc, so it's definitely a voip service
im doing google voice from my gingerbread phone (EVO 4G) as my primary line... i dont pay a monthly cell phone service... i get picture mail, txt messages, internet, and unlimited cell service.
Pbxes+Google Voice= Unlimited
I have no delay on my phone, it sounds better than sprint when i had it...
the only catch is; u have to have Wifi around... basically everywhere i go its wifi avaliable....
jojo757 said:
im doing google voice from my gingerbread phone (EVO 4G) as my primary line... i dont pay a monthly cell phone service... i get picture mail, txt messages, internet, and unlimited cell service.
Pbxes+Google Voice= Unlimited
I have no delay on my phone, it sounds better than sprint when i had it...
the only catch is; u have to have Wifi around... basically everywhere i go its wifi avaliable....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this only Google Voice for Gingerbread that supports that? Or is this a new feature in GV in general? Last I checked they didn't support it...
+1 for GrooveIP. Its much easier than the alternatives imo.
WiredPirate said:
+1 for GrooveIP. Its much easier than the alternatives imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if Google Voice has a native app that does this for free, I'm totally game! Nice to know there are choices, tho!
Dishe said:
But if Google Voice has a native app that does this for free, I'm totally game! Nice to know there are choices, tho!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Google Voice does not do what GrooveIP does. When you have no cell coverage or lose cell coverage GV will drop your call or not place it, defeating the point. Even though you are on wifi you cannot place a call with GV w/o cell coverage. With GrooveIP you dont have to have cell coverage, you dont even need a sim.
I'm trying out this Groove IP right now. I must say I'm impressed by the call quality and the seemless functionality of the program. Not a huge fan of the constant notification, but I can live with it. OP it sounds like you should use this program, it's 3.99 in the market but boy is it worth it!
jojo757 said:
im doing google voice from my gingerbread phone (EVO 4G) as my primary line... i dont pay a monthly cell phone service... i get picture mail, txt messages, internet, and unlimited cell service.
Pbxes+Google Voice= Unlimited
I have no delay on my phone, it sounds better than sprint when i had it...
the only catch is; u have to have Wifi around... basically everywhere i go its wifi avaliable....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I setup pbxes + google voice and it seems to work most of the time. I'm interested to know how you are getting picture mail though - I thought googlevoice only supported txt messages.
k4p741nkrunch said:
I'm trying out this Groove IP right now. I must say I'm impressed by the call quality and the seemless functionality of the program. Not a huge fan of the constant notification, but I can live with it. OP it sounds like you should use this program, it's 3.99 in the market but boy is it worth it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can turn off the notification in the settings :]
And OP, Android 2.3+ has built in support for SIP addresses. You register with a provider online, and they'll route your calls. It's a bit more complicated to set up, and typically costs (But sites like PBXes will give them out for free if you use them at least once a month). You typically get a US number and can set that up with Google Voice. Apps like csipsimple and sipdroid are alternatives for supporting SIP if you don't have Android 2.3+
I suggested GrooVe IP because it's a 1 step setup (Login with your Google account and you're done), and is identical quality to the calling through Gmail because there's no middleman. It's certainly possible to set it up for free using SIP instead, and there are some great guides on google.
I am getting picture mail because: I had a Google voice number before I got me Sprint number. Then I migrated my Sprint # to my Google voice acct.
Since then my Sprint service was disconnected because I recently lost my job, so I decided since I was out of contract anyway i'll say forget Sprint and use my Google voice acct. But back to how I got picture mail, when they disconnected my Sprint acct they didn't disconnect the Sprint number because it migrated over to my Google voice.
So when I call my Sprint number it forwards it to my GV number... But to get picture mail (keep in mind my Sprint acct has been disconnected for like a month) u have to have mobile network always on, and have wifi connected at the same time, if someone sends me a picture mail it'll come thru but I can't download the picture (not by Sprint network), but since I have wifi on it'll download the picture for me (Sprint can't officially cancel the number because u migrated over to GV, so now its your number for good. The only catch u can't respond to the picture mail and u can only respond thru the Google voice app.
Back in April sipdroid gave people a way to merge pbxes & Google voice... So since I upgraded to gingerbread, I no longer use sipdroid and I use the built-in internet call feature in gingerbread...
So I have service like everyone else with no problem, just no 3g or 4G service, all wifi on my phone.... Plus I can use my Bluetooth with my phone with no problem...
Hopefully talk understood that, if not PM me and i'll try to break it down...
Sent From Evo
Hey guys I’ve been looking for a good VoIP caller for my phone that uses my sprint number for a while now, and I finally found one and I would like to share it with everyone
It’s called groove ip
click up ^^ here for the market link
It is a paid app, I found it on the market and I believe it wasn’t any more than 5 dollars.
set up:
I integrated Google voice on my account keeping my sprint number
I then downloaded Google voice on my phone and set it all up.
Then I downloaded groove ip and signed in.
you have options on when to use groove ip.
i have it auto start and set to ask when placing a call.
there is no battery drain when on standby.
obviously it uses some battery when placing or receiving calls
ive used it for a few days now, and i love it.
texts also work with the google voice app
Now you can use my phone even if you don’t have service as long as there is wifi !!
What about mms? I have Grooveip as well, but I'm hesitant to port my number completely to Voice. I use Voice for the voicemail and voip only... I use my Sprint number for everyday calling to other cells and sms/mms
Mms doesn't work on just WiFi, but is does on the cell network. I have no problems with it at all. Everything works the same for me. I also installed the voice app and grooveIP on my tablet and I can now use that as a spare phone at home. I still have to set it up online to ring the tablet tho
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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
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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