Database Users

Google Voice and Skype Working on Tab

So here is what I did... I now have a working VOIP phone service via my T-Mobile Tab..
-- Get the hacked Skype App (allows 3G calling) http://www.megaupload.com/?d=156KWZVH
-- Get Google Voice from Market
-- Go to skype.com and setup an account
-- Order a Skype Internet Number (it's $30 for a year right now -- normally $60)
-- Add a Skype calling plan ( I went with $2.99 a month for unlimited calling)
-- Set Skype to display your Google Voice Number (Caller ID Settings)
-- Set Google Voice to forward all calls to your Skype number
-- Go into Google Voice App and set it up to use your Skype number for voicemail notifications.
It works and it works pretty darn well...
Pros:
--Incoming and outgoing voice capabilities
--Unlimited calling in the US and Canada for $2.99 a month
--With 3G data plan you always have phone functions to dial out and receive
--Use Google Voice for SMS messages and you only have the one number.
Cons:
--If you don't want to use the Google Voice number for SMS then you will have 2 numbers. The one that came on your Tab that is used for SMS/MMS and a number for phone usage.
--Price for this to work per year amounts to $66 ($30 for the Skype number and $36 for the unlimited plan) Not really a con if you consider this is the total cost for a year of unlimited cell (VOIP) calls from you Tab
--If you use Google Voice for SMS it does not do MMS
Here is how it works...
When someone calls your Google Voice number it forwards it to the Skype number and the Tab rings...
When you call someone it displays your Google Voice number...
COOL....

Thanks for telling step-by-step to this workaround... couple of more cons, for me anyway.
1) a big con for me is that it means I can't port my existing cell no. to my new Tab... and since I'm a consultant and it's been my phone no. for a long time... that's kind of a drag.
2) Also, I've heard Skype call quality is sketchy at times?
3) No 911 calling via Skype I beleive?
thoughts pls?
ps... I suppose if I just kept my Sprint plan and went to phone only and kept my Pre I could just call forward my cell no. to Google voice?

I ported my previous cell number to my Tab...
Skype can be sketchy if on a slow or weak 3G or Wifi connection... I have had no problems with it yet though...
Yes, no 911 calling.... But you can program your local police / fire / EMS non emergency dispatch center number as a contact... That's what I did... Granted it's not as fast to get answered as 911, but it is a suggestion...
I don't see why you could not forward the previous cell # to GV then have it forwarded to Skype. Then set the Caller ID in Skype to display your previous cell number... Should work...

I might give this a try and see how I like.... since the phone flashing seems to be stuck at 2G plus a few other problems at this point....
Thanks much for the instructions...!

I decided to do this route as opposed to flashing the other way... Flashing the Euro ROM does still have issues and even once they are worked out, I can't see a US carrier adding voice to the Tab... Even with flashing the Euro ROM you will still need another SIM card to use that has voice functions enabled on it (hence, a different number like this process requires)...
Many people already have my GV number so this was also an easy way to get phone function without much effort... And at $66 a year for unlimited voice, I don't see a carrier plan even coming close to that...

Please Elaborate
@raqball
How does it work? Is it smooth?
My wife has a Skype account, does it have to be the unlimited calls or do you use the free calls from skype?
I really would love to see a YouTube vid please, or just a demo, I need to feel confident to give back the MyTouch 4G for this
Cause if it's like that, I am going to go and give back the MyTouch and get the tab for the Both of us tomorrow!

xexes said:
Thanks for telling step-by-step to this workaround... couple of more cons, for me anyway.
1) a big con for me is that it means I can't port my existing cell no. to my new Tab... and since I'm a consultant and it's been my phone no. for a long time... that's kind of a drag.
2) Also, I've heard Skype call quality is sketchy at times?
3) No 911 calling via Skype I beleive?
thoughts pls?
ps... I suppose if I just kept my Sprint plan and went to phone only and kept my Pre I could just call forward my cell no. to Google voice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this for months on my old Milestone (Droid) due to me being in Canada and everyone I knew being back in the US (and all calls to the US are int'l long distance via cell) until I found a way to make GV work here in Canada via normal phone lines.
Yes, call quality via Skype is sketchy at times, depending on connection quality, and there's ALWAYS lag.
Call forwarding works fine.
I wouldn't sweat 911, but then again I have almost no respect for that service anyway.

How stable has this been running for the ones using it?
Sent From The Moon... With a HTC Glacier

Any way to do this without Skype? Can't pay for everything :/ Will GV just work?

You'll need some sort of VOIP to make it work, but it doesn't have to be Skype.
Keep in mind, Google Voice is NOT a VOIP service, it's a fancy call forwarding and voicemail service that also lets you pick a free US phone number for life.
And folks, there's always Sipdroid and a SIP number service (there's quite a few besides Gizmo)
http://gurnted.wordpress.com/guides/updated-guide-from-xda/

Matt4542 said:
Any way to do this without Skype? Can't pay for everything :/ Will GV just work?
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No problems here. I am using the hacked Skype app that allows 3g calling. Working great for me so far.
Sent from Samsung Tab using XDA App

raqball said:
No problems here. I am using the hacked Skype app that allows 3g calling. Working great for me so far.
Sent from Samsung Tab using XDA App
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And where do you find that pls?

xexes said:
And where do you find that pls?
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Click to collapse
I also updated the 1st post with the link... Here you go though...
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=156KWZVH

Two numbers?
raqball said:
Cons:
--You will have 2 numbers. The one that came on your Tab that is used for SMS/MMS and a number for phone usage. No worries for me though as I give out the Google Voice number as my home number anyway...
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Click to collapse
Awesome post! I will probably do this tomorrow. $60 a year is a small price to pay to finally make my Tab a phone.
I currently only have the Google Voice app installed (no hacked Skype). When I go into my contacts (app which came with Tab) and I click on a contact, and then click the message icon, a little screen pops up asking if I want to complete the action using Messaging or Google Voice. Furthermore, you can check the "Use by default for this action" to always use Google Voice for texting. When I click Google Voice the text shows up to other people as my Google Voice number.
If the trick in this thread can use your Google Voice number as what shows up to other people as your caller ID, wouldn't this simplify you down again to one number (the Google Voice number)?

the problem with this is skype doesnt work with Bluetooth headset. so you either have to get a WIRED headset or use speaker phone which means no privacy

SteveIndianer said:
Awesome post! I will probably do this tomorrow. $60 a year is a small price to pay to finally make my Tab a phone.
I currently only have the Google Voice app installed (no hacked Skype). When I go into my contacts (app which came with Tab) and I click on a contact, and then click the message icon, a little screen pops up asking if I want to complete the action using Messaging or Google Voice. Furthermore, you can check the "Use by default for this action" to always use Google Voice for texting. When I click Google Voice the text shows up to other people as my Google Voice number.
If the trick in this thread can use your Google Voice number as what shows up to other people as your caller ID, wouldn't this simplify you down again to one number (the Google Voice number)?
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It would, but GV still does not do MMS..... Plus you would loose the snazzy Tab SMS/MMS messaging app...

raqball said:
It would, but GV still does not do MMS..... Plus you would loose the snazzy Tab SMS/MMS messaging app...
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Click to collapse
Yeah, and I love that app....
About 5 minutes after I turned my Tab on I got a text asking if I wanted to buy some chronic/Mex from someone who obviously didn't know their contact's phone no. had changed!
But the app is great!

Not bad, not bad at all. Very good post.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab

raqball said:
It would, but GV still does not do MMS..... Plus you would loose the snazzy Tab SMS/MMS messaging app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, decisions decisions! For me I may be willing to sacrifice MMS for the simplicity of one phone number. I would justify it by using video calling, YouTube posting, and Facebook/Picasa pictures. I'm already giving up the native Email app because it puts weird labels on my Gmail emails instead of archiving emails like the Gmail app. So much for "native tablet optimized apps."
Cons for this route:
No 911 support
Two phone numbers or no MMS
Complicated calling procedure through Skype
Pros:
Delicious Galaxy Tab

so is everyone just got to use there tab with speaker phone ? because unless u use a wired headset that what u get since the TAB only has a speaker on the bottom.
if I could only get a Bluetooth headset to work with skype

Do You Use Google Voice?

In reading the forums here for a while now, it seems like hardly anyone uses Google Voice for anything. This surprises me, since I've always used GV and I can't imagine not using it. I mean, it lets you read/write/manage your SMS messages on your computer (ie I don't have to pull out my phone to text people if I'm at my computer), lets you make/receive calls straight to your computer (ie I don't have to pull my phone out necessarily if I want to make/receive a call and I'm at my computer), calls made/received on your computer don't count against your minutes, and if you happen to still have a MyFaves plan (and I know several of you do) you can set GV as one of your Faves and have all calls made/received with your handset free as well. The only problem I've ever had with it is that it sends/receives SMS messages over your data network, so if you're somewhere where the data connection is clogged (like I was when I was at a music festival recently), you can't send/receive texts. Even so, with all these advantages (some of them pretty huge IMO), why does it seem like no one uses it?
So, do you? If not, why not?

I use it and have regularly text/mms blocked.
Use it for texting and voice mail.
Not perfect, many things I would like improved, but definitely worth it for me.

I only use it for voicemail

beren28 said:
I use it and have regularly text/mms blocked.
Use it for texting and voice mail.
Not perfect, many things I would like improved, but definitely worth it for me.
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Click to collapse
I'm curious, what would you like to see improved? Personally, I'd like to be able to send mass texts from my phone, and to be able to send/receive MMS. I know you can send "mass" (to like five recipients, which, I mean, I've never needed to send a text to more than five people, so that's worked fine for me) texts through GV on a computer, but I can't get it to work on my phone.

I use it for international calls, international TXTing (no longer avail.), and craigslist or similar type of communication with people I don't want to share my real phone no. with.
I also use it in conjunction with Gizmo5 when I'm overseas. Sometimes I use this method when my minutes approach the limit.

MMS please! It's about time. This is the only reason why I still have to use my actual phone number.

gongonzabarfarbin said:
MMS please! It's about time. This is the only reason why I still have to use my actual phone number.
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Or you could use email. Or you could upload the picture to dropbox and SMS a dropbox link. Or you could share on any of the other numerous photoshare sites. There's a million ways around the MMS issue if you need to send some crucial media message, but I agree that it would be nice to have the functionality regardless.

We need pitcher messages, at least pitcher hosting so other people can just click the link. I use Google Voice but it's not perfect, it's not that fast.. it needs to be faster.

I just use it for the vm to text. That's pretty handy. I don’t have to talk to or even listen to people anymore!

opiomorph said:
I'm curious, what would you like to see improved?
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First I love GV. I have it routed to my home via sip, my cell with the GV app and when I'm traveling with the client built into gmail.
Improvement:
1. MMS would be great. Yes, I could use the cell or gmail but... it would be nice if it were incorporated into GV.
2. The GV organization for messaging (both the app and website) is well, basic. I don't get why all texts from one person can not stay in one convo. Makes it harder to find old text messages.
3. I would like to see more way to initiate conference calls
4. international calls could be cheaper. Yes they are cheaper than skype but that is not cheap... On my phone I use the voxofon app and at home voip with callwithus.
5. petty maybe, but I wish I could adjust the time before VM kicks in.

SykesAT said:
First I love GV. I have it routed to my home via sip, my cell with the GV app and when I'm traveling with the client built into gmail.
Improvement:
1. MMS would be great. Yes, I could use the cell or gmail but... it would be nice if it were incorporated into GV.
2. The GV organization for messaging (both the app and website) is well, basic. I don't get why all texts from one person can not stay in one convo. Makes it harder to find old text messages.
3. I would like to see more way to initiate conference calls
4. international calls could be cheaper. Yes they are cheaper than skype but that is not cheap... On my phone I use the voxofon app and at home voip with callwithus.
5. petty maybe, but I wish I could adjust the time before VM kicks in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also *love* to have all my texts from a single person organized into per-person threads, and wonder why there's not a simple way to do this.

This is kind of interesting...
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/google-voice-now-lets-you-port-your-own-phone-number/

Need MMS and also we REALLY need an alternative GV app.
Maybe one day Go SMS, Chomp or Handcent will support GV. That would be nice.

I love it and use it for my voicemail.
I have a Seattle number that most of my friends know, but upon moving to Arizona, being able to have an AZ local number was a big plus. Now I can have 2 numbers on one cell and not have to update any of my long-term contacts of a number change or any of that nonsense.

I use it, but I don't really love it.
I do not like their voicemail service AT ALL, however I like the convenience of giving people my google voice number, people whom I don't necessarily like

I use it for all my vmails, and for texting. I may even lower my texting package from tmo soon to save a few bucks. I can block people easily, can set custom greetings for different groups of people, and I can even use my bluetooth to make phone calls via my PC bypassing the need for a big voice package.

I use it for voicemail primarily and its the number I give out to businesses and people I don't really care to talk to so I can screen the calls. I also use it more when I don't have my phone on me or im on the computer
Sexy Vibrant featuring Nero V3 w/Voodoo, and FFC installed

I use it all the time. I like how I can screen my calls with it
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I used to use it but I found it redundant and some people didn't appreciate having to keep up with so many phone numbers (GV, Business, Real Vibrant number). It doesn't support MMS so that made it hard to use exclusively.
Plus, I could do without those services running in the background.
It's nice for when you're selling stuff on CraigsList and don't want to give your real number, though.
I do hate Google for making it impossible for us to take our numbers off without giving another real number, or removing Google Voice from our Google Account.
But a quick phone number change took care of that.

I use it for texting some people that i dont want to have my real tmo number.I still have the unlimited texts....i've been thinking of dropping unlimited texting from my plan. I wish I had myfaves so I could have unlimited free calling with it...gotta find a way to get myfaves...hope tmo brings it back.
Its also great for using online,for example, Craigslist etc. Overall I think its great and I can't wait for more innovative features to be added.
*** Sent from my Samsing Vibrant (Axura 2.2.5.7) using xda app

Google Voice

How many people actually use this app and is it really a good thing to use? Just wondering about it because I notice it's in most roms and launcher downloads. I've personally never tried it. What are the pros and cons?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

ive been using google voice for quite a while, both on my PC and on my phones.. works seemlessly with the SF..
its a matter of preference.. and convenience for me...i can call out using either my cell number or my google voice number.. voicemail is SO much better, and it not only translates to text, but at the bottom of the text there is a play button to hear it..
the only con i can report is that sometimes the text translation of the voicemail is a bit off..but you can still get a good idea of what the message is without actually having to listen to it..
im a huge google voice fan..

mrjake1970 said:
ive been using google voice for quite a while, both on my PC and on my phones.. works seemlessly with the SF..
its a matter of preference.. and convenience for me...i can call out using either my cell number or my google voice number.. voicemail is SO much better, and it not only translates to text, but at the bottom of the text there is a play button to hear it..
the only con i can report is that sometimes the text translation of the voicemail is a bit off..but you can still get a good idea of what the message is without actually having to listen to it..
im a huge google voice fan..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it cost extra to use it?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

It's free to use, unlike Verizon's Visual Voicemail which costs X amount of dollars per month. I was skeptical of Google Voice at first but I've really liked it for the month or so I've used it.

bskidz79 said:
It's free to use, unlike Verizon's Visual Voicemail which costs X amount of dollars per month. I was skeptical of Google Voice at first but I've really liked it for the month or so I've used it.
Click to expand...
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Thanks, I'll give it a try.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

I'm honestly not exaggerating when I say this: there are no cons to using Google Voice (I can't see how less-than-perfect voicemail transcription is a con since you don't get any voicemail transcription normally). Like Gmail, this is a service that's been universally lauded by the press and consumers alike for good reason.
BUT: it's not just an app on the phone that you run instead of Verizon's VVM app. It's a true telephony service, and if that sounds kind of complicated, well, in some ways it is, though Google makes it extremely easy to use (whether you just want to use it as a voicemail service, or to effectively replace your regular phone number(s) entirely).
Google has a great site that explains it all better than any of us can, so I'd suggest starting there:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
Or here if for whatever reason you can't watch the videos:
http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22635

I love my Google Voice. Best vm I've ever used
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

The other part of the setup i have that i love is the seemless integration of computer and phone with bluetooth.
I spent about $80 on a blueant earpiece that allows multiple connections, and a $16 dongle from best buy for the computer.
When the phone rings, i can answer via the computer or the phone. I have had exactly 1 dropped call since i started using GV in July.
I was afraid of Google for the longest time because of privacy. Then i realized they know everything about me anyway from using search. Once i started trying more of their products i was hooked. Now i have everything Google on computer and obviously phone too.
My life is easier with the integration and they just plain have cool stuff Lol.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

I have used google voice since for 6 months. I started on my BB and now use it on my Fascinate. I have friends with regular phones that use it as well, all of which love it. I haven't heard of anyone complaining or going back.

Just so folks know, you can choose to only use the Voicemail portion of Google Voice. You do not have to use it to make or receive calls...

the problem I had with google voice is it wanted to take over my entire phone. their forums you're pretty much worthless. Is there a link with good setup instructions?

There is only one downside I see to Google Voice and that's the fact that it can't send or receive MMS. Is it a big deal? Not unless you exclusively use your Google voice number to call and text people.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

gv is a great product
i have my voicemails sent to my gmail account as txt
when at work my phone is on silent but I get all my personal messages

Google Voice, the entire service, is unfortnent as you must use a different number than your cell number (which if youve had for 5 years is... bad).
You CAN however use GV for voicemail with your current number, which lets you have the free visual voice mail/speech to text translations without needing a new number.

Adding your Google Voice number as one of your Friends & Family numbers equals free calls.

I love using GV for free texting. I've had my number for a few years. Worked great on AT&T/Blackberry Bold.
But with Verizon/FV I've noticed when receiving call or placing call with my GV#, there seems to be a 1/2 second delay when talking. Really started to annoy me, felt like a overseas call, so I stopped using my GV# as my everyday phone #.

Crashspeeder said:
There is only one downside I see to Google Voice and that's the fact that it can't send or receive MMS. Is it a big deal? Not unless you exclusively use your Google voice number to call and text people.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
yeah, if they get mms working, I'm dumping my texting plan.
spotmark said:
Adding your Google Voice number as one of your Friends & Family numbers equals free calls.
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Click to collapse
Only if you actually dial your gv number and then enter the number you want to call. If you use the app, it dials another number that changes periodically. And you only get free incoming if you disable caller id pass-through.

Just jumped on the GV bandwagon after reading this thread. I've made a few calls with my sweet new Beverly Hills number. I'm sure i'll think of creative ways to use it. VVM will likely be its primary function, though. It's my understanding that GV uses your data connection for calls, correct?

PJnc284 said:
Only if you actually dial your gv number and then enter the number you want to call. If you use the app, it dials another number that changes periodically. And you only get free incoming if you disable caller id pass-through.
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Click to collapse
Correct. The way I do it is, I access GV using my phone's browser, then I dial a number through that. It will ring my cell phone using my GV number, and then connect me to the person I'm calling.

can i use google voice on wifi.. ive tried but it just says dialing??? and how do i geta google voice number.. i have the app.. but it asks for my goolge voice number so i just type in my vzw number and i cant call

Anybody ported their number to Google Voice yet?

And also what is the point of doing it and paying 20 dollar?
sent from My HTC Evo,hoe!

JUST2SUAVE said:
And also what is the point of doing it and paying 20 dollar?
sent from My HTC Evo,hoe!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its in case you want to save your cell number you have had for a long time. I haven't ported my number to Google, but I >DID< change my google number when I moved to a totally different state and wanted a new number... it cost me 15 or 20 bucks and was well worth it. I dont give out any number but my Google number and I freaking love it.

Yes, I did and began to experience this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=956753&highlight=cricket
Sprint DID cancel my account even though I begged them not to. I then signed up for service again (new 2 year contract) to test google voice on Sprint.
Needless to say I canceled the new contract sold the evo on ebay and just got an atrix. Too bad because I loved that phone.
There is no lag on ATT or T Mobile
I do not recommend Sprint w/ google voice under any circumstance.
From Wikipedia:
Features of Google Voice, many retained from GrandCentral, include:
A single Google forwarding number to all of the user's phones
Unlimited free calls and SMS within the US and Canada, up to three hours in individual length.
Calling international phone numbers with rates starting at US$0.02 per minute
Call screening. Announcement of callers based on their number or by an automated identification request for blocked numbers
Listening in on someone's recording of a voice message before taking a call (press 2 while answering, * to "pick up")
Blocking calls from specified numbers
Send, receive, and store SMS online
Answering incoming calls on any configured phone
Call routing. Selection of phones that should ring based on calling number
Voicemail transcripts. Reading of voicemail messages online
Listening to voicemail online or from a phone
Notification of voicemail messages via email or SMS
Personalized greetings based on calling number
Forward or downloading of voicemails
Conference calling (press 5 when answering call)
Call recording and online archiving (press 4 while on a call)
Switching of phones during a call
Viewing the web inbox from a mobile device/phone
Customize preferences for contacts by group
Ability to change your number for a fee
Ability to port your mobile number for a fee
Specifying an existing phone number instead of the Google Voice number on initial setup for use with limited functionality, such as some voicemail functions.[28] and using the voice mail system for the user's phone number (mobile devices only

Google already has too much information Im not about to give them my phone also.

ResidentEvo said:
...Im not about to give them my phone also.
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Click to collapse
The "phone" is just a drop in the bucket compared to what they already have anyway.

I did it and love it so far. I can change carriers every month and people have my number....Its my work number so I have to have it. If your a phone freak like me and are not under contract, its great! I have had simple mobile, Virgin and Sprint in a little over a month but still have my main number. So far so good...

main thing that kept me from doing it is the fact that google voice doesn't support MMS

mrfuzzie23 said:
main thing that kept me from doing it is the fact that google voice doesn't support MMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wonder if the pic messages would come in if the texts were forwardd through email? probably not

No, because I already have enough voice latency.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1621673-Voice-Latency-Test-Results
land line to Sprint: 149ms
land line to ATT: 162ms
landline to Google Voice to Sprint: 279ms (google voice adding 130ms)

I really don't care about mms so thats not an issue for me.

alnova1 said:
I did it and love it so far. I can change carriers every month and people have my number....Its my work number so I have to have it. If your a phone freak like me and are not under contract, its great! I have had simple mobile, Virgin and Sprint in a little over a month but still have my main number. So far so good...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in a couple of months I am going to drop sprint(only cause I want a real google phone al la nexus series) port my number into google voice and get a data only sim from tmobile with no contract. I rarely make calls and was checking my boys nexus s out, and throught our travels in the day i made him do a speed test like everywhere we went and he was getting 3-4 mbps down everywhere we went. I can do quite fine by that

agentphantom said:
The "phone" is just a drop in the bucket compared to what they already have anyway.
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Seriously man now they are about to take over our TV's. I wonder whats next for them.

And it requires data, 3G, 4G, etc. reception, which is even more obscure than regular voice reception. Pass!

akarol said:
And it requires data, 3G, 4G, etc. reception, which is even more obscure than regular voice reception. Pass!
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Havent had a problem yet...and I think its just getting started...

I use my google voice number as my main number. The only problem I have is with mms. Google voice doesn't support mms. Yet.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

david279 said:
I use my google voice number as my main number. The only problem I have is with mms. Google voice doesn't support mms. Yet.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right it doesn't but if I want a stupid joke or a picture just email me...if you have a phone that can't email..upgrade! I do understand that its an issue with some but I can live with out it...for now.

Android and Texting

This isn't so much a Nexus 4 question than an android, however it does somewhat affect my decision on purchasing one.
I am currently an iPhone user wanting to move over to Android at some point, however am still reluctant due to my situation at work.
Currently where my cube is, I get no cellular service but I do get a strong wifi. iMessages works no problem and I'm able to send and receive them without issues. Problem of course is non-iPhone users get left in the dust and I have to step outside to receive their messages.
Now with the release of the Nexus 4 tomorrow, I can buy one, but am hesitant because I will get no messages until I'm out of the building. While this is fine for productivity, I'm often forced to use email instead for planning lunches with non-coworkers instead of just sending texts.
I'm sure this question has been asked before, but as a new user wanting to go android, is there a way to push my texts from my phone number to some kind of text messaging app, without porting my number? (I just renewed my contract so early termination is not an option for Google Voice).
I really do want to go to android but iMessages does have its perks for being wifi.

Argenist said:
This isn't so much a Nexus 4 question than an android, however it does somewhat affect my decision on purchasing one.
I am currently an iPhone user wanting to move over to Android at some point, however am still reluctant due to my situation at work.
Currently where my cube is, I get no cellular service but I do get a strong wifi. iMessages works no problem and I'm able to send and receive them without issues. Problem of course is non-iPhone users get left in the dust and I have to step outside to receive their messages.
Now with the release of the Nexus 4 tomorrow, I can buy one, but am hesitant because I will get no messages until I'm out of the building. While this is fine for productivity, I'm often forced to use email instead for planning lunches with non-coworkers instead of just sending texts.
I'm sure this question has been asked before, but as a new user wanting to go android, is there a way to push my texts from my phone number to some kind of text messaging app, without porting my number? (I just renewed my contract so early termination is not an option for Google Voice).
I really do want to go to android but iMessages does have its perks for being wifi.
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Apply a GV number and give it to your friends. It's just 1 txt away.

Did you try WhatsApp, Viber or KikMessenger?
I don't have mobile connection inside the buildings in my university but WiFi works great.

Try Jaxtrsms

@wngmv So you're saying to just have the Google Voice number forward the text to my current number? I'm wondering if that could work the other way around...
@brom25 I'd rather not go the App way because not everyone I know uses those apps, esp people with iPhones. My situation is somewhat unique because I don't have cellular service in the building whereas most people do.

Argenist said:
@wngmv So you're saying to just have the Google Voice number forward the text to my current number? I'm wondering if that could work the other way around...
@brom25 I'd rather not go the App way because not everyone I know uses those apps, esp people with iPhones. My situation is somewhat unique because I don't have cellular service in the building whereas most people do.
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Not really. When you apply Google Voice you can have a new number. Google just link the GV number to your phone number so if people call your GV, you can get the call. But if people txt you, you'll be getting the text message using data instead of mobile network. So if you tell your friend to text you at your GV number, you'll be receiving messages. But it's not any kind of forwarding. You'll only be getting txt in your GV application.
At least that is my experience.
But if all your friends use iMessage they can't txt you using your Apple account. It is basically a messaging service shared only among Apple products. But they can txt you by your GV number or phone number.

wngmv said:
Not really. When you apply Google Voice you can have a new number. Google just link the GV number to your phone number so if people call your GV, you can get the call. But if people txt you, you'll be getting the text message using data instead of mobile network. So if you tell your friend to text you at your GV number, you'll be receiving messages. But it's not any kind of forwarding. You'll only be getting txt in your GV application.
At least that is my experience.
But if all your friends use iMessage they can't txt you using your Apple account. It is basically a messaging service shared only among Apple products. But they can txt you by your GV number or phone number.
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Gotcha, my concern is just getting texts while I'm in this "non-cellular" area. It'd be nice to just push the text to the app without having a new number, but this may be easier said than done.

Argenist said:
Gotcha, my concern is just getting texts while I'm in this "non-cellular" area. It'd be nice to just push the text to the app without having a new number, but this may be easier said than done.
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Yeah. I understand what you want but am not sure if such a thing exist. To push text messages to another app requires reading your text message content. I'm not sure if you want any app to be able to do that.

There are many cross platform alternatives to iMessage, such as WhatsApp, Kik, Viber etc... mentioned in this thread. If you can convince your friends to switch, that would probably be the easiest way. I've only used WhatsApp extensively, but it worked well as an alternative to SMS/MMS. WhatsApp also has the best device support, so if you have friends on Windows Phone, Blackberry or Symbian you can connect with them as well.
If that's not an option, then Google Voice is really your only alternative. However, you would have to start giving out a different number, and there are some side effects of it. Google Voice uses data for all your text messages, so if you are in an area with poor data service you cannot send or receive text messages even if you're still getting signal. Google Voice also does not support MMS. Last, if your plan includes free calling to other mobile phones, but still has a minute allotment for land lines, all of your calls received through your Google Voice number will use minutes.
---------- Post added at 10:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------
wngmv said:
Yeah. I understand what you want but am not sure if such a thing exist. To push text messages to another app requires reading your text message content. I'm not sure if you want any app to be able to do that.
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Apps like Handcent and other alternative SMS/MMS apps can read and write to the SMS database on your phone. The issue isn't allowing access to your text message content, it's that there's no way for an app to receive an SMS sent to your phone number except through your phone. They are delivered over the mobile network on your phone and not available anywhere else. AT&T has launched an "AT&T Message" app that allows you to view your SMS/MMS on your computer or tablet, but unfortunately it's a) terrible and b) only available on AT&T branded phones.

If you have T-Mobile, pray that somebody could port Wi-Fi calling in no time

As a side question, can you route gvoice texts to the standard mms app or does everything need to be done through gvoice?
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lnfound said:
As a side question, can you route gvoice texts to the standard mms app or does everything need to be done through gvoice?
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You need to use the Google Voice app. There is an app that claims it will allow integration, but YMMV.

lnfound said:
As a side question, can you route gvoice texts to the standard mms app or does everything need to be done through gvoice?
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You definitely can make them come directly to your standard mms app because thats how I have it right now