Database Users

Multitasking limitations of HTC Imagio?

AT&T claims that Verizon 3G doesn't permit web data searches at the same time that a voice phone connection is going on. Is that true? Why? How inconvenient is this? Is there any problem multitasking data activities, e.g., downloading email while downloading a web page?

short answer is yes
Verizon and AT&T use different technologies. Verizon CDMA. AT&T uses GSM. CDMA doesn't allow voice and data simultaneously. However, it is really a non issue as most people don't surf the web and talk on the phone at the same time. It's really not that intuitive to do. But, multitasking in general is reliant on the phone's operating system. Winmo allows for multi tasking and HTC helps it be even more managable with their task master tool and the addition of allowing the "X" to either close programs or minimize them.
Basically, AT&T is just mad about VZW's "there's a map for that" commercials and because their lawsuit was thrown out. What AT&T doesn't tell you is that their most popular phone, the iphone, doesn't allow multi tasking of any kind and that is by apple's design.
edit: To answer you about data: you can email and surf the web with no problem as they both use data connection.

I wonder if you use both the CDMA and GSM radios can you talk and surf at the same time?

Verizon is CDMA only, and ATT is GSM only. You can turn on GSM and CDMA at the same time, but only one will be used depending on the network.

Hmmm, does this mean that I need to hang up the call if I need to do a Google search? Say someone calls me and wants to meet me at a specific bar... do I need to hang up do a Google search for the bar location and call them back to tell them that I now know how to get there?... With my AT&T phone I do this without having to hang up the call. I also reference Yelp based on My GPS Location frequently as I talk to friends via speaker phone about restaurants or bars near by. I guess this requires two way data and GPS location to work simultaneously... Can the Imagio do this?

my .02 is if you are on the phone with a friend or business associate and they invite you somewhere that you dont know the location of, ask them. i would be pretty offended if on a personal or business call the other person was tapping away at their phone browsing the web. i get my texts during calls thats enough for me. and like it was said, their most popular phone, the iphone cant even multi-task.

davidstre said:
my .02 is if you are on the phone with a friend or business associate and they invite you somewhere that you dont know the location of, ask them. i would be pretty offended if on a personal or business call the other person was tapping away at their phone browsing the web. i get my texts during calls thats enough for me. and like it was said, their most popular phone, the iphone cant even multi-task.
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So, if you call someone to ask them for a phone number that's stored in their phone... you'd would rather have them hang up and call you back because you'd be "offended" by the tapping as they search for the phone number you asked for? I get a few calls a week from people asking me for phone numbers... I open my contacts list, find the number and give to them... without hanging up... so far, no one has been offended. When I do a Google search while talking, as a matter of courtesy, I let the person on the other end know what I'm doing. Btw, I don't own an iPhone.

If I make a phone call to ask specifically for information that is traditionally and typically stored in a phone, I obviously wouldnt be offended. The example regarded a very specific situation: pointless internet searches (ie: googling an address instead of asking the person who you are currently on the phone with that invited you) its simply poor conversation skills to say "hang on im going to use the internet while i keep you on the phone" instead of "wheres joes bar again?"

I hardly ever talk on my phone and I don't think I've ever even thought of using my data connection while on the phone.
Seems kinda stupid to me anywho

tamanaco said:
So, if you call someone to ask them for a phone number that's stored in their phone... you'd would rather have them hang up and call you back because you'd be "offended" by the tapping as they search for the phone number you asked for? I get a few calls a week from people asking me for phone numbers... I open my contacts list, find the number and give to them... without hanging up... so far, no one has been offended. When I do a Google search while talking, as a matter of courtesy, I let the person on the other end know what I'm doing. Btw, I don't own an iPhone.
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You neglected to add that in A LOT of cities your phone can't even get a signal to talk or go on the web to help anyone find something.

jbh00jh said:
You neglected to add that in A LOT of cities your phone can't even get a signal to talk or go on the web to help anyone find something.
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Let's no compare apples to oranges... I know and understand the shortcomings of the AT&T's network signal and the inability of some so-called Smartphones that do not multitask... For me a Smartphone is a device that allows me accomplish several tasks. Having the ability to perform some of these tasks simultaneously (assuming voice/data signal availability) is what I'm talking about. If I'm talking on the phone and the person on the other end wants a picture or a document that I have stored on my phone... I like the convenience of being able to send it without having to hang up. It's not a show-stopper for me, but it's a nice feature to have.

davidstre said:
If I make a phone call to ask specifically for information that is traditionally and typically stored in a phone, I obviously wouldnt be offended. The example regarded a very specific situation: pointless internet searches (ie: googling an address instead of asking the person who you are currently on the phone with that invited you) its simply poor conversation skills to say "hang on im going to use the internet while i keep you on the phone" instead of "wheres joes bar again?"
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I do not assume that what anyone else wants to do with their phone is "pointless". I use my phone features in certain ways and you can use yours as you please. Some devices are a better fit for you and others for me. As I look for a replacement for my AT&T phone and want to find out the +/- of the devices that appeal to me.... I ask questions about their features.
Poor conversation skills? You are assuming quite a bit about the specific situation I mentioned... The person that called me did not know how to get to the bar... I Goggled it and found the directions from the location where he originated the call. I helped him get to where we were going to meet... Poor communications skills?... Doubt it... I did it all without having to interrupt the conversation.

Totally legit scenario tamanaco, and I'm with you. I just did a quick test calling my desk phone. I was able to multitask on my Imagio while connected (e.g. was able to navigate to contacts to look up a phone #, launch apps, etc.). BUT I was not able to use a data connection. I was able to launch the Opera browser, but was not able to navigate to any web page successfully. So forget looking up directions online while talking.
FWIW, I haven't run across this issue in the real world, but none-the-less it bums me out a little that I can't do voice & data at the same time.

tamanaco said:
So, if you call someone to ask them for a phone number that's stored in their phone... you'd would rather have them hang up and call you back ...
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You _can_ launch any other application, including looking up phone numbers in your contact list, while on the Imagio.
One cute feature is that if you pull out the stylus while on the phone, it automatically launches the notepad app, with the person's name, number and time of call filled in. Then you can write notes either with the stylus or type them in. Pretty handy, especially if you're in a field that needs diagrams. You can also add a recording.
You just can't search on the internet for those numbers while talking. Well, unless you're using a VoIP app like Skype. Then you can do both voice and data simultaneously even on Verizon. I've done it.

Question about google voice

I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info

flameinthefire said:
I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
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yes, but no MMS support.
1. Download Google Voice app to Android Phone
2. Set up account/voicemail. Make sure to adjust your setting so that texts aren't forwarded to your actual phone
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!
all the texting is done within the actual Google Voice app as opposed to using the stock messaging app or an alternative like Handcent

^ pretty much nailed it. You can also send texts from your pc with GV.

Google Voice looks good on paper, but it's really not very reliable.
Texting works fine for the most part, but I've had delayed texts at times. You cannot text internationally. And surprisingly, the integration with Android is not great.
Also, Google Voice recently took one of my friend's numbers and gave to someone else.
It created a total mess for my friend, since she had been giving the GV number to everyone.
So, yeah it's free, but you will not get a very reliable service, and if you have a problem, Google will not respond.
I used Google Voice for about a year heavily, but am moving away from it now.

so with texting i will have to get a new number from google am i right?

flameinthefire said:
so with texting i will have to get a new number from google am i right?
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yes. but if google screws up, as they seem to do more than rarely, at some point someone else may be reading the texts meant for you.

MacGuy2006 said:
yes. but if google screws up, as they seem to do more than rarely, at some point someone else may be reading the texts meant for you.
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oh thats not good

I've been using Google Voice heavily for a few weeks now. It definitely has its problems. Voice quality, delayed sms, inaccurate vvm, complicated setup. It's all a bit beta-ish. I do like the capabilities when they work. I would suggest keep using it but not exclusively. Send in surveys to Google when offered. Also mark inaccurate vvm as "not helpful" and send those in to Google too. The more people use GV, the more apt Google is to improve it. If people stop using GV altogether, it will surely be canned.

"MacGuy" on here bashing a google product, shocker.
GV audio playback is low quality b/c it uses less bandwith/downloads faster. A necessary evil for having your VM sent to you via text I suppose.
The GV texting has never had an issue for me... i guess to each their own.
Stock SMS via carrier is easier, no doubt... but GV brings a lot to the table for the right price.

flameinthefire said:
I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
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Click to collapse
Do a Google search for Google Voice. It tells you what the features are.
Sign up and try it. If you don't like it, don't use it. I've had it since last year and use it daily.
Give it a try!

s15274n said:
"MacGuy" on here bashing a google product, shocker.
...
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What is this supposed to mean? I use mostly Macs, true, because I like them. But my main HTPC is W7, and obviously my current cell phones are Androids. Just like my old, old phones were WM6, and before that Palms.
I've used GV for quite a while, and all I am saying is that it is unfit to be your main number, if you depend on your phone.
Call quality is marginal, and international call quality is less than marginal (yes, I actually have paid to use some GV features). Skype is much better for that, and it's often cheaper.
For texting it's fine, but at times I have experienced delivery delays, so if its important, I'd use the stock client (I have unlimited texting, so what's the point). International texting is not allowed anymore by Google.
I was all excited about GV a year ago, just like I was excited about Wave, but I am actually transitioning away from it now, because it's just not reliable.
Plus, as I said they can take your number away without warning, and without you being able to do anything about it.
Nothing to do with Macs. Just the facts....

my 2c...
GV is great, yea it's a bit beta-ish but for the functionality it can't be beat.
Not to mention free calls if you have a my circle plan, an older version of the GV app and set GV to show your number as caller id for inbound calls.
Free text, the delay is minumal and we get emails so lack of mms is a downside but I can live with it.

I do love GV and give that number out to everyone, I almost never give out my cell number unless I need some form of MMS sent to me (pictures, or some services need to send more than just text). I've rarely had issue, especially not delays, although I did have an entire day where I didn't get texts and was unable to send them. Still don't know what happened to all those texts. But call quality has been excellent on both my land/voip line and my cell going through GV. The voice call and call blocking features are worth it, too, and were the original reason I got the number 3 years ago. I certainly didn't plan on getting an Android phone back then, but the transition was great as I had started using more and more Google services.
Note that except for that one day, and probably 4-5 other days (out of over 1,000 days, and over 1600 text conversations) of minor delays, I've had zip for problems. No missed calls, and no missed texts. Highly recommended. But better integration would be nice (I just use the GV app for voicemail or to send an initial text when I don't have someone's "special" GV number).

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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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.
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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

[Q] Someone give me a definative answer please

I keep seeing posts from various users here, as well as all over the internet, about how easy it is to get SMS up and going through WiFi and they describe various ways of accomplishing it, but none of them ever work for me. Can someone/anyone tell me once in for all rather its possible, and please describe (in detail if you please), how to do it?
Question: If I, or anyone else, was to decide to just wait for the WiFi ONLY Tabs to come out for this very purpose (texting via wifi), would we be wasting our time? I mean IF its not possible via wifi on the wifi/3G Tab, then we shouldnt expect it to work on the wifi ONLY Tab either right? Thanks in advance.

It is possible (and quite easy) to get SMS working over WiFi. If you have a google voice account, you can download the google voice app and use that to text people (or you can use other apps like textplus). That is the current setup that I have since I have no texting plan on my line.
Hope this helps,
caveman999

caveman999 said:
It is possible (and quite easy) to get SMS working over WiFi. If you have a google voice account, you can download the google voice app and use that to text people (or you can use other apps like textplus). That is the current setup that I have since I have no texting plan on my line.
Hope this helps,
caveman999
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Thanks for the reply. Google voice was one of those ways that I had read about already and for me it was not easy at all, and I could never get it to work. The last thing I read about setting that up was using le your home # for the Tab since it is not used for texting purposes...well, it didnt work for me. Maybe you could explain exactly how you set it up?
That app you mentioned I, I tried that a while back and my son told me he was flooded with advertisements...etc, so I dumped it.

Some help please....
Can't someone else give me some help here? This is driving me nuts. Why would using Google work for one and not for others? What could I be missing/doing that's possibly screwing it up?

Set up google voice and your wifi tab is ready to text. No extra ads or nothing like that.

leyvatron said:
Set up google voice and your wifi tab is ready to text. No extra ads or nothing like that.
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Thanks for the reply. I've already set up google voice but cannot get it to function properly. That's what I meant when I said in my previous post "Why would it work for one but not others, what could I be missing/doing wrong to screw it up". I have followed all of the instructions on google website, I've put in the # to be used for my device, google has verified it, I've downloaded the app for my SG Tab, but it will NOT WORK. Perhaps you could explain in detail how exactly you set it up? I really don't know what else to do.

DirtyDawgOriginal said:
Thanks for the reply. I've already set up google voice but cannot get it to function properly. That's what I meant when I said in my previous post "Why would it work for one but not others, what could I be missing/doing wrong to screw it up". I have followed all of the instructions on google website, I've put in the # to be used for my device, google has verified it, I've downloaded the app for my SG Tab, but it will NOT WORK. Perhaps you could explain in detail how exactly you set it up? I really don't know what else to do.
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unfortunately, Google voice is currently for USA ONLY, are you from us?

fastcx said:
unfortunately, Google voice is currently for USA ONLY, are you from us?
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Yes, I'm in the good ole U.S. of A. What else do you think may be going on? Thanks for your reply.

What am I to do after this point if....
I'm to this point (see attachment) and I'm trying to set everything up "for texting only" and what I've read is "use your home phone #" because it is not used for texting...etc. Well, when I get to the point of what the attachment shows, what the heck do I do? It doesn't seem like I would be able to use my voice phone line to do this, and I cannot use the SGT as I have no dialer??????

Have you tried opening google in the browser via your Tab and useing the provided dialer in google? I use it on my PC as my PC has no dialer either. I will try with my tab and edit this post if it works or not.

I know it's not quite the same, but you could try using "Whatsapp" from the market if all parties have either android or iOS devices.

I just tried your suggestion, well..I at least got on the tab and went to GV site, but then I noticed voice had been activated without me following through at that point shown in the attachment. Now I have another problem. When I sent a text to the tab from my Evo, my home phone rang and Sprint sent what's called a TTLL (Text to Land Line) call....so that's screwed up. I used my tab to try it the other way, but cannot see any way to even send a text, not online at the voice site and not on the tab with the voice app. So it looks like I'm still stuck at not being able to get this going. Really frustrating..
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

knightnz said:
I know it's not quite the same, but you could try using "Whatsapp" from the market if all parties have either android or iOS devices.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a go, and if it works, I think I can afford 2 dollars a year. I might just do that, thanks again.
EDIT: This won't work because it has to verify a number for your phone. The tab doesn't have a number.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

DirtyDawgOriginal said:
I'm to this point (see attachment) and I'm trying to set everything up "for texting only" and what I've read is "use your home phone #" because it is not used for texting...etc. Well, when I get to the point of what the attachment shows, what the heck do I do? It doesn't seem like I would be able to use my voice phone line to do this, and I cannot use the SGT as I have no dialer??????
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I have not used the setting "Forwad to Google Chat" and confirm that I'm able to send/receive text but I have my free phone number from IPKall and I'm able to send/receive text using GV account from the tab. Read the instruction in the Sprint VoIP call in Dev if you want to (find my post there).

quattr0 said:
I have not used the setting "Forwad to Google Chat" and confirm that I'm able to send/receive text but I have my free phone number from IPKall and I'm able to send/receive text using GV account from the tab. Read the instruction in the Sprint VoIP call in Dev if you want to (find my post there).
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Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately this isnt working for me either. Im at the point of giving up now and just returning the damn Tab. I did all kinds of research on this prior to even buying the tab to at least try and make sure I could accomplish it. Most of what I found was "seemingly" possitive. Everyone makes it sound sooo damned easy to set it up and get it going, well its not, and I will go as far as saying that it isnt possible at all, for at least some, me being included in that latter bunch.

Sms was designed to be sent over cellular network and being associated with the phone number.
The number is also needed for GV. You might try Skype and get phone # and etc using it but its all far from comfortable. There are other services that might work as proxies for you but all cost some money.

Adapt0r said:
Sms was designed to be sent over cellular network and being associated with the phone number.
The number is also needed for GV. You might try Skype and get phone # and etc using it but its all far from comfortable. There are other services that might work as proxies for you but all cost some money.
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Thanks for the reply. I guess then that all of those posts that I've seen here, as well as all over the net, was just "bull". I say this only because of your comment about SMS being designed for cellular network, and only because these posts I'm talking about specifically say they got things up and running and are successfully texting on their SG Tabs via WiFi/Google Voice.
I suppose then that I should just forget about waiting for that WiFi only Tab because SMS would not work on that device either. I wouldn't mind spending some money to get this going, although I don't think that I would want to get into a contract or anything like that and be stuck spending on a monthly basis, which I think all of the Wirelss companies like Sprint make you do (not sure).

For SMS and voice phone on my Tmobile Tab I use prepaid voice only Sim. The tab was flashed with Euro ROM and works very smooth and giving me ability to place voice calls and send SMS if needed. It costs me money but no monthly obligations.
BTW, I can send Sms using Sim card from my phone as well.

Adapt0r said:
For SMS and voice phone on my Tmobile Tab I use prepaid voice only Sim. The tab was flashed with Euro ROM and works very smooth and giving me ability to place voice calls and send SMS if needed. It costs me money but no monthly obligations.
BTW, I can send Sms using Sim card from my phone as well.
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I guess I couldn't do anything like that correct? Is there a difference between T-Mobile and Sprint Tabs .... besides what may be the obvious, like I know Sprint is CDMA, not sure of T-Mobile. Anyway, do you think the same type of setup is possible with my Sprint device? If so, could you please describe how I would go about setting it up? Feel free to PM me if you like/want about this topic. Thanks

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