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I've set up Google Voice so that it forwards texts to my Gmail account (which I receive via my phone's email client). While using the Google Voice app on my phone (build 0.4.0.12), I am receiving two replies for each text I send ... one into the Google Voice app's Text section and one into my Gmail account. I'm ok with this as long as they are both free. However, I suspect that's not the case. I don't really know if I'm being charged because I just started messing with this today (July 22), so my bill doesn't show anything yet.
Question is, what are the appropriate methods for sending (both initiating new texts and replying to them) and receiving texts so that they are free in both directions?
If you are using google voice sending and receiving text are free. You can go into the settings for google voice and disable emailing of text messages to your email. Try it from the computer, its a little more user friendly that way as long as you open gv to send and receive messages your fine. Also log into your at&t account just to make sure...
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Thanks. It works great actually. I confirmed via ATT records that the texts are free, and I'm also able to make free calls to Canada on my cell phone. Really nice program!
I am considering changing from Sprint CDMA Hero to the T-Mobile Vibrant, and think I saw an app once on the android market that would let me send and receive SMS/MMS messages using the Data plan and save me the $10 a month for the specific SMS plan.
I'd love to save money and hope someone can answer my question.
Thanks!
Text plus is awesome. It's free and it let's you send txts via WiFi or data plan. But no mms yet.... Who knows maybe the devs working on doing that. Heck you can even call with just a data plan. There's a bunch of texting or VoIP apps for Android which is amazing. So with the $10 data plan you should be good. Just try it out and if not you can still text via WiFi.
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Google voice does this too.
Sent from my Vibrant using xda app
Thanks for the replies.
Can you give me some help regarding how to setup google voice to handle my text messaging and ensure that I do not get charged by tmobile for texts sent AND received.
I saw a setting in Google voice where it says to notify me of voicemails via text message.......does this send a text to my cell number? If so, then tmobile will charge me for every text received.
In addition - I have many friends who will choose to text me, and I don't see how either Google Voice or Text Plus can manage the incoming new text message as default? My friends will often use my contact details in their phone to text me, so it will come directly to my cell number, so I don't see how Test Plus can intercept the text before the default phone app does? Then I get charged by tmobile (they charge for incoming and outgoing text).
Help appreciated....
I want to avoid being charged by tmobile for text messaging.
When you want to use Google Voice to text, you have to give your friends your google voice number to send their text messages to. You can text using the Google Voice app for android. Just disable notifications of voicemail via text message to avoid that problem.
Unforunately, you can't do MMS with google voice. And if they text your contact number, the regular one for your phone, you will get charged for hit.
Hope that helps.
hurrpancakes...thanks for the reply.
This clears things up nicely.
I think I will give tmobile the $10 a month for unlimited text.....I sometimes text friends overseas, so it has that benefit.
I shut my service off yesterday as I will be in Japan for a few months and the international roaming is crazy! Any options to make it work with Google voice only over Wifi? I tried calling and it says no service available.
Also, I'm in Japan, are there any other options like configuring it to work with Softbank or anything like that? Thanks.
Have you tried to download and use the skype app over wifi? It may cost you a little to call but would be better than the roaming fees.
jmd1981 said:
I shut my service off yesterday as I will be in Japan for a few months and the international roaming is crazy! Any options to make it work with Google voice only over Wifi? I tried calling and it says no service available.
Also, I'm in Japan, are there any other options like configuring it to work with Softbank or anything like that? Thanks.
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Google Voice on Android does not currently support VOIP from the handset to the server. That feature is only available through the Gmail desktop browser page on an operating system that is supported by the Gtalk voice and video chat plugin. Another way to get end-to-end VOIP with Google Voice is using Gizmo5, if you had signed up for that service before Google bought it out. That only lets you do incoming calls though.
Also, I'm in Japan, are there any other options like configuring it to work with Softbank or anything like that? Thanks.
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If you have a temp visa or better yet a coworker or friend there you could probably get month-to-month service there. That would be the best bet, but it's generally one of the more difficult countries for visitors to get a sim card in. The airport might have some rental services, but iirc they rented you the whole phone (by the day no less) and it's fairly expensive compared to regular service.
Also it goes without saying that if you want to use a Softbank sim you will need to subsidy unlock (also known as sim unlock) the phone.
Edit: it is rumored that the WiFi calling feature that T-mo is bringing to the G2 and other Android devices will allow a connection and minutes usage internationally. Personally I think this is unlikely (for a few reasons, some of which are legal/regulatory) but it would be pretty nice. Of course this would seriously short circuit the way GV for Android works. You would not be able to make outbound calls with GV in the caller ID.
If you need an unlock code for that phone. to use a japan sim. Let me know via PM
You could always install skype and set your outgoing caller id to your google voice number. Then sign up for a number at sipgate.com and add your new number to google voice. Once that's activated, download and install Fring or sipdroid and add your sipgate information. Use skype to making outgoing, take incoming calls with fring or sipdroid. Alternatively, if you don't want to pay for unlimited skype-out, you can try one of the many google voice dialer apps out there. They basically initiate calls using the google voice web interface, which you can actually do via your browser if none of the apps work out.
Edit.
Or just buy a skype number and unlimited skype out then setup skype caller id and forward your GV calls to your skype #
I'm not sure if any devs will see this here, so I will probably post in the G1 dev forum or the general android forum as well, but I wanted to do a search first and this is the only similar thread I have found. Anyway...
As some of you know, you can now place FREE calls to anywhere in the US or Canada using GMail and the "voice and video chat plugin". You can also receive calls from within GMail if you have a GoogleVoice account and you set it up to forward GoogleVoice calls to "Google Chat" as well as your phone(s).
This is awesome! I can now answer calls from GMail instead of my phone. I wish the desktop GoogleTalk app did that so I wouldn't have to always keep a webbrowser page open to GMail, but that is not what this post is about...
I got to thinking: if GMail can place and receive free phone calls, why can't I do that on my phone (or any device with internet)? I downloaded every available webbrowser for Android and tried to surf to GMail, but none of them even loaded the page (???), much less the plugin.
While searching for any possible solution, I learned that the required "voice and video chat plugin" is available for Linux. This fact makes me almost positive that it is somehow possible for someone to develop an Android app that loads that plugin, logs in to GMail (spoofing a desktop browser), and displays the Pop-out dial pad capable of placing and receiving free calls!
Is anyone up to the challenge? This is huge people! FREE phone where ever there is internet. I hope someone can make this happen.
There is a way of doing this... you ARE talking about calling and using your 3g/4g network, right?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Um... ok, what is the way of doing it?
I am talking about using the Google "voice and video chat plugin" along with the dialer in GMail to make/receive free calls anywhere with internet (WiFi/3G/4G, without using minutes) just like you can already do if you have a Windows/Mac/Linux webbrowser, but through an Android device.
Don't you have WiFi Calling?
AndroidBoston said:
Don't you have WiFi Calling?
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Do you not realize the WiFi calling app still relies on the TMO network?
rpmccormick said:
Um... ok, what is the way of doing it?
I am talking about using the Google "voice and video chat plugin" along with the dialer in GMail to make/receive free calls anywhere with internet (WiFi/3G/4G, without using minutes) just like you can already do if you have a Windows/Mac/Linux webbrowser, but through an Android device.
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No, there is no equivalent of the gmail chat plugin. You're limited to using a sip client and forwarding your GV to that number
I'm pretty sure you can't even roam in Japan anymore. Unless this phone has the UMTS frequencies for 1900, you wont get anything. Recently, Softbank shut off GSM/2G service.
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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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
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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
Hi, my phone isnt android but my tablet obviously is. I'm in the military with orders to korea and want to keep in touch with everyone, but my phone is a cheap cricket flip phone. All the apps that allow things like this that i could find require me to install the app on my tablet and phone, which obviously wont work. Is there an app (free or paid, i dont care which) that will let me plug in my phone number and send texts from it on my tablet? Skype's text rates are ridiculous, gtalk is great but i can only communicate with other gtalk users, facebook messenger will only be instant for people with smart phones or data plans, etc. A text app will allow me to text everyone that doesnt have a smart phone as well as those that do, and not have to hope they are at their computer to reply. Thanks for any help you guys can give me.
Have you tried using Google Voice app on your tablet? I have used it with mine and I was able to send/receive text messages using the Google Voice number I chose. I was connected to wifi when I did this.
i have google voice from before i canceled my smart phone plan, i love how it transcribes my voice mails. I dont see a send text option though, even with my new cricket number in it. All i have is an inbox, settings, labels, balance, search and refresh, and the inbox just seems to be call logs and voicemail transcribes. If you can tell me how to set up texting with it i will be quite grateful.
Edit- okay text is under labels, but i cant figure out how to send one.
nifterific said:
i have google voice from before i canceled my smart phone plan, i love how it transcribes my voice mails. I dont see a send text option though, even with my new cricket number in it. All i have is an inbox, settings, labels, balance, search and refresh, and the inbox just seems to be call logs and voicemail transcribes. If you can tell me how to set up texting with it i will be quite grateful.
Edit- okay text is under labels, but i cant figure out how to send one.
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Download the google voice app on your tablet, and from there you press "compose" and than just type in the number (or select a contact) and txt away .
I to have cricket .. Google voice works .. as described above.. Also two more..
PALTALK VIDEO chat has a new sms feature.. I have not used it as its brand new..
YAHOO MESSENGER NOW HAS A SIMILAR Feature. and does video chat..
Yahoo messanger for the tablet is now compatable with Crickets sms service.. IT USED to not work..
i would check them out in the order i mentioned above I do use google voice and PALTALK .. the paltalk you get from www.paltalk.com
Good Luck and STAY SAVE OVER THERE... i hear its not much better then the middle east. one of my best Girl Friends just returned from EAU .. she says they treat women over there as if they are a Possession.. i would be hung because im very independent
I have the Zio cell phone It works well well for what it is .. I love the NO contract and i get awesome signal here.. I also have a at&t cell for work and my cricket is better service ..
Something must not be compatible with my rom because there is no compose option in voice and in settings the google voice number is greyed out and i cant select it. I'll look at yahoo messenger since i have it installed and hopefully that works. Thank you both for your help.
Edit- the website for google voice has more options than the app. I thought my voicemail number i made was enough, but i made a new number thst works with texting after signing out of the app then signing back in. Just one more question, since the texts show up as from the voice number amd not the cricket number, this means i dont have to pay for the cricket service when i leave, right? I can just use this free voice number to text? It seems too good to be true.
As far as i can remember your google Voice ..must have a telephone number to be linked to.. Rather or not its just for the initial setup verification im not sure .
i Use google voice number for things i register to keep text spam off my cell phone number.. Go to CRICKETUSER FORUMS Register and ask this same Question over there. EVERYTHING you ever need to know about CRICKET Wireless is on that forum..
Cricket now offers world wide text as well.. but im not sure if it from over there to us or just from us to over seas..
Thanks again for your help, i should have everything i need to adequately keep in touch with everyone now. Seems like its a free number that can route to my existing numbers, but wont require them(aside from activation) if i just want to use the tablet or a pc. so i can cancel my cricket service for the year im gone, thanks for helping me save money.