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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.
I looked around but couldn't find a thread on this problem.
This is my first Android phone (AT&T version), previously I had a 3GS, and I'm having trouble getting Google Voice sorted. I set up voicemail forwarding as the two thread here suggest, but I can't seem to get calling out working right. If I go into the GV app I can call people who've called me/are starred/left messages etc and it will call with my GV number, but I can't call anyone else with that number. I think I have the phone set to use GV for all calls, but it still uses my cell number if I use the phone dialer. Is there a way to/can I set it up so calls I make come from the GV number?
With the 3GS I just used the GV app for everything and that worked since my calls came from the right number, but as far as I can tell I need to use the phone app to call out with this?
Thanks.
Should be able to change this in the settings:
Settings -> Making Calls
I have mine set up to ask me every time I make a call.
Sounds like yours might be 'Do not use Google Voice to make any calls'
Try groove IP app from market.
Sent from my HTC One X on Leedroid's ROM v5.0.0.
I feel like the least technologically savvy person in the world, but I re-installed the app, restarted, and now it seems to be working.
It had been set to use google voice for all calls, but for whatever reason calls were not coming through that way.
To follow that up. Are texts managed the same way, or do I need to open the GV app to send them?
Use the GV app for texts via GV. Or you can use any other SMS app with the GV-provided phone numbers that it assigns to people that call/text you. As an example, via GV you would normally see a text from Person. If you looked in Messages or Go SMS, it would be Person - +1XXX-XXX-XXX - text. If you use that number to text Person, they will receive it as if it came from your GV #, not your cell #.
Thanks, I'm all sorted out.
Hi there, everyone! I'm a long time reader but never really get to post anything. Before I start, I hope this is the right forum and did some searching around my question and haven't found a solution - both on XDA and just searching Google itself.
I rely on Google Voice for all my voice and text needs and have multiple phones. I used and kept an old Google Voice official APK (something like 0.26 I believe) which allowed all my outgoing calls to route through the same outbound number. This number was some random phone number that wasn't my Google Voice number but required a little bit of data prior to connecting the call to tell Google "Hey, I'm about to make an outgoing call, this is the number I'm making it to" to route the call correctly. The newer versions of the Google Voice app use a different "shadow" number for each contact so no data is required. This old option was extremely important to me because I have a limited voice plan and took advantage of my carrier's unlimited calling to your favourite number option to make my calls free. That specific version of the Google Voice app doesn't work with ICS or Jellybean and I no longer have a Gingerbread phone.
Is there a third-party app that would help me dial a phone number or tap on "call" within a contact and have it route through that same Google Voice "shadow" number every time? If not, would someone consider writing up one for a bounty?
There's actually a Windows Phone 7 app called GoVoice that actually lets users choose which option they prefer. To dial all outgoing calls with the same number, small amount of data required; to assign a different shadow number to each call, no data required; or to have Google Voice phone your mobile back directly, perfect for those on legacy Free Incoming Call plans.
Your help and suggestions would be much appreciated!
Best,
Manny
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
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.