Database Users

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.
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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

[Q] Calls from Wi-Fi Tablet.

Is it possible to make regular calls from the wi-fi Acer tablet? Like maybe from Google Voice?

I beleive the answer is Google Voice, which doesn't work on tablets, but if you google around you'll find hacked versions for Honeycomb that might work. Those allow you to do incoming calls, but for outgoing you need a dialer, and there is a program on the market called GrooVe IP which does what you need. It's cheap, about $2 or something. Your phone number would be your Google number, and you have to have it set to forward calls to Chat. I also think you have to log out of all your other Chat sessions on other computers for it to work. I played with it but gave up for now and am hoping Google will bless us with a fully functional version.

mknewman said:
I beleive the answer is Google Voice, which doesn't work on tablets, but if you google around you'll find hacked versions for Honeycomb that might work. Those allow you to do incoming calls, but for outgoing you need a dialer, and there is a program on the market called GrooVe IP which does what you need. It's cheap, about $2 or something. Your phone number would be your Google number, and you have to have it set to forward calls to Chat. I also think you have to log out of all your other Chat sessions on other computers for it to work. I played with it but gave up for now and am hoping Google will bless us with a fully functional version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, there's a way to get incoming calls to work?
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA Premium App

Technically you should be able to call with skype, need to get credit first or subscribe to premium also there is another voip app like buster which also works with credit on your account.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I will look around for the hack. I will post it here once I find it.

Forward calls and texts to Wifi tablet???

I would like to do this for free (or as cheap as possible).
When I go to the gym I bring my 10.1 Tab in with me and I watch Netflix while I work out. I hate carrying my phone in there PLUS my tab. Is there any possible way that you guys can think of where I can somehow forward my calls and text messages to my tab to come to me over the gym Wifi????
Would love to hear your thoughts.

There are three relatively popular solutions to your question.
[-] The first is SyncSMS, by d0lph1nK1ng. It syncs text messages, using a Dropbox account (you'll need to sign up for one, but it's free for the amount of space required for something like this). You don't need the phone in close proximity to the tablet, but a network connection is required on both devices. Push notifications are available, although as a 'beta' feature.
[-] The second is TexTab, by howettl. It uses Bluetooth to make the transfers, so no Dropbox-style file hosting service is required, however you need the phone to be in the tablet's Bluetooth range.
[-] The third option, which I use, is Google Voice. I prefer the integration (no relying on phone range, file sharing sites, or polling). I receive voicemail notifications and the ability to listen to them in the same inbox. I love the setup. A lot. Phone/tablet/chrome (on my docked laptop) are all notified within three seconds of each other when a new text is received. Google voice uses push notifications on all devices (incl. Chrome, although not technically a device), which has been awesome on my Tab 10.1 in my experience.
Polling is commonly used when push notifications aren't an available feature. This is when an app repeatedly checks every X amount of seconds/minutes/etc. for new messages, instead of being notified from the cloud/other device. Receiving a normal text on your phone is a push notification. It's pushed to your phone. Facebook checking for new friend requests every hour is polling.

Ferris upon has a new app called Verizon Messages that can allow you to sync text messages between your phone and tablet if they are connected too the same wifi network.
Sent from my SCH-I905 using xda premium

Thanks all!!!
This more than covers the text message part of the equation. Any good ideas how to forward phone calls???

Milkman00 said:
Thanks all!!!
This more than covers the text message part of the equation. Any good ideas how to forward phone calls???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go with Google voice and use grooveIP to make and receive calls
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

jastop said:
Go with Google voice and use grooveIP to make and receive calls
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
You would need to call forward your mobile phone to GrooveIP. This is backwards from what people normally do though(they forward calls from GV# to their phones). hehe

Wait wait wait
I love the Google voice idea for text messages but I'm assuming he wants to reply to his text messages from his phone carrier. He won't be able to do that with Google voice. He will have to use his Google voice number which is a pain.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App

shaolinx said:
You would need to call forward your mobile phone to GrooveIP. This is backwards from what people normally do though(they forward calls from GV# to their phones). hehe
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Not correct, inbound calls to my Google voice number ring on my wifi tab when I'm signed into grooveIP. I don't forward the carrier assigned cell phone number.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

seh6183 said:
Wait wait wait
I love the Google voice idea for text messages but I'm assuming he wants to reply to his text messages from his phone carrier. He won't be able to do that with Google voice. He will have to use his Google voice number which is a pain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if he has Sprint, which it looks like he does.
Google and Sprint have partnered to allow your Sprint mobile number to be your GV number. All texts I send from my 10.1 using GV come from my regular cell phone number. Super slick....

vansmack said:
Not if he has Sprint, which it looks like he does.
Google and Sprint have partnered to allow your Sprint mobile number to be your GV number. All texts I send from my 10.1 using GV come from my regular cell phone number. Super slick....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jealous.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App

I use groove ip with a Google voice assigned nbr. Used to have the gv nbr forwarded to my phone (droidx). To get the nbr working for both inbound and outbound calls on this tab I had to send the nbr to Google chat. You have to do this in a full browser in your Google account options. Of course you need connection to a Wifi network.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wifi P7510

I think people either misunderstood the question (or the answers / solutions just sucked). I am looking for the same things. When I desire, I would like to have my phone in my pocket / backpack etc, and be able to use my tablet as a phone. When somene calls my phone, I'd like it to "ring" my tablet. When some texts me, I'd like to see it on my tablet. Moreover, I'd like to be able to place calls from my tablet (using my phone number). (I know you can use google voice and skype, etc. but I want it to use my phone with my phone number and appear in my call log and my tmobile monthly bill).
1) Is this already possible? (If so, what is the software called.)
2) If this is not already possible, is it possible given the exposed APIs of android?

I use GrooveIP and Google Voice with my Sprint number.. SMS and phone work great on Tab and on my SGS2 Epic 4G Touch..

you should try skype?

jastop said:
Go with Google voice and use grooveIP to make and receive calls
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the perfect solution and good for some smiles also.
I was sitting on the couch using my laptop PC and a call came in on Google voice. It rang on my land line, it rang on my Galaxy Nexus phone, it rang on my Galaxy Tab and it also rang on my laptop via Gmail. All 4 places had a different ring tone. My wife and I just looked at each other and cracked up laughing.
---------- Post added at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 AM ----------
hmetzger said:
I think people either misunderstood the question (or the answers / solutions just sucked). I am looking for the same things. When I desire, I would like to have my phone in my pocket / backpack etc, and be able to use my tablet as a phone. When somene calls my phone, I'd like it to "ring" my tablet. When some texts me, I'd like to see it on my tablet. Moreover, I'd like to be able to place calls from my tablet (using my phone number). (I know you can use google voice and skype, etc. but I want it to use my phone with my phone number and appear in my call log and my tmobile monthly bill).
1) Is this already possible? (If so, what is the software called.)
2) If this is not already possible, is it possible given the exposed APIs of android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I do this with Google Voice and Grove IP.
When someone calls my Google Voice number it rings in 6 places: 1) Personal Cell phone, 2) Galaxy Tab, 3) Laptop PC (via Gmail), 4) Home phone land line, 5) My office desk phone, 6) Office cell phone.
The only downside to this is that I people always know they can get me on the phone.
This also presumes that people call your Google Voice number instead of your cell phone number. It takes a while to train people but after a few months everybody will be using the Google Voice number. In fact, I have no idea what the phone number of my office cell phone is. I'd have to look in settings if someone needed to know.
If you're not using Google Voice do it now. It's a little effort but the payback is BIG.
Also, this makes for some very humorous scenarios. For example, I was in San Jose visiting my daughter. We were in a crowd and got separated. She called me using my Google Voice number. It rang on all of the devices listed above but before I could answer on my cell phone my wife picked up the land line at home which was 400 miles away. My daughter was confused, "Mom? How did I get you? I was calling dad." "Just call again and I won't pick up the phone," says my wife. My daughter called again and this time I answered.
Here's a HUGE benefit of Google Voice:
You can put people into groups. Then you can handle each group differently. For example you can make it so those in the "Office coworkers" group never get passed to your cell or home phone after 8pm. I have a group called Spam. When a I find out a number calling is a telemarketer I put that number into the Spam group. When someone in the Spam group calls me it is NEVER sent to any of my phones. It's my own personal "Do Not Call" list. Google Voice is very powerful.
More Google Voice benefits:
- When someone sends a text message you can have it forwarded to all cell phones and tablets and also your gmail account.
- When someone leaves a voicemail message it will be translated into text and then sent via text messaging. It can also be sent to your email. And, by the way, an attached voice file is included. When you play the voicemail back it highlights the text like a karaoke machine. Very cool.
- ALL Of your text messages and all of your voicemail are stored in you Google Voice mail account. You'll never lose a text or voicemail again. You can log into any browser and retrieve them. And, if you get a new phone all the old text messages immediately show up.

TabGuy said:
I was sitting on the couch using my laptop PC and a call came in on Google voice. It rang on my land line, it rang on my Galaxy Nexus phone, it rang on my Galaxy Tab and it also rang on my laptop via Gmail. All 4 places had a different ring tone. My wife and I just looked at each other and cracked up laughing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I set it up so it still rings on both the tab AND the computer? I assumed this would be the default setting but since installing GrooVe IP, calls only get forwarded to my tab and cell phone but not google chat on the computer anymore. I have to log out on my tab for calls to go to my computer. Any ideas on how I can change that?
Cheers!

c_licious said:
How do I set it up so it still rings on both the tab AND the computer? I assumed this would be the default setting but since installing GrooVe IP, calls only get forwarded to my tab and cell phone but not google chat on the computer anymore. I have to log out on my tab for calls to go to my computer. Any ideas on how I can change that?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to admit that I have no idea how it rings on my laptop or what setting it takes to make it ring. I do know it's a part of Gmail. I don't think I'd ever answer a call there. It surprised me at first I had to look around to figure out that the ringing was coming from my laptop.

Hi Guys/Gals,
There is actually an app in the market that does just this.... its called tablet talk and connects over Bluetooth or wifi. Its not free but worth every penny. You only need to purchase it once and install on both devices, it will sync your txt messages and allow you to send/receive on your tablet. The best thing about this app is that it will notify you of an incoming call from you phone right on your tablet From your contacts and allow you to mute the call or hang it up.
Go check it out... you will be glad you did.
Cheers
Mark
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium

What a bout upgrading to the ICS every one saying that the SIM function activated!isnt it? if so all what you have to do is forward your calls to your tab

hmetzger said:
I think people either misunderstood the question (or the answers / solutions just sucked). I am looking for the same things. When I desire, I would like to have my phone in my pocket / backpack etc, and be able to use my tablet as a phone. When somene calls my phone, I'd like it to "ring" my tablet. When some texts me, I'd like to see it on my tablet. Moreover, I'd like to be able to place calls from my tablet (using my phone number). (I know you can use google voice and skype, etc. but I want it to use my phone with my phone number and appear in my call log and my tmobile monthly bill).
1) Is this already possible? (If so, what is the software called.)
2) If this is not already possible, is it possible given the exposed APIs of android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is called Table Talk. And you have to install it to your phone and tablet from the Market.
I can't believe you guys don't know this.

[Q] How to get Google Voice to work?

What I've been able to search for suggests that I can't use Google Voice to actually make calls from my Nook, but I can send text messages. Is this via the GV app, or via the web? If the app, how do I do it? When I try to set it up, it tells me that it wants to text my phone to activate it, but then that fails.

nookcolor isnt a phone and dosent send texts. its just a tablet

Android311 said:
nookcolor isnt a phone and dosent send texts. its just a tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true. You can send text messages over wi-fi through the GV app, as the OP originally asked...
I have the app up and running, but it was so long ago I don't remember how I set it up. I think I just put in the cell # that I had originally set my GV account up with and it just worked from there.
Sorry I can't be more helpful, but it can be done.

Wow I didn't no that,thanks for correcting me
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S using xda premium

flu13 said:
What I've been able to search for suggests that I can't use Google Voice to actually make calls from my Nook, but I can send text messages. Is this via the GV app, or via the web? If the app, how do I do it? When I try to set it up, it tells me that it wants to text my phone to activate it, but then that fails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has no microphone so can't be used as anything like calling. But works great for texting while on wifi. Just set up google voice on another device and when account is set up, just put the app on the nook and start using it.

So you're saying set the app up on the other device, then somehow transfer the settings? Or that once it's set up on one device, it will now work on the other with no setup or less setup?
Also, I thought that a bluetooth headset could be used in lieu of a microphone. Maybe that never panned out? I have been away from the site for a while, so not positive where that one went.

The NC has not audio input wired or bluetooth. so can't make voice calls, but you can set up GV for text messages. You probalby have to set it up on a phone first , then install it on the nC and it works for text

I recommend downloading and installing this version of google voice http://www.mediafire.com/?arvw2az9bpytkd9 it is an older version but it will let you set up google voice app with nothing more then a gtalk account.

Calls from tab using your phone app??

Greetings All
I have this app on my phone, which allows me to send and recieve texts via my tab and I like it alot!! http://mightytext.net/
It got me thinking.. Is an app out there or possible to accept calls or make calls in a similar manner as this app??
It would be nice and just use the phone as a ..mm..well..phone hotspot I suppose..

Easy..... first using your Google account, create yourself a Google number, its mainly used for 'Google voice'..... after you set it up, download an app called GrooveIP. Then sign in, and you're done. You can now make and receive calls and texts, get voicemail and everything. Unlimited......on your tablet.....
Sent from my GT-P7310 using Tapatalk HD

StarkCity said:
Easy..... first using your Google account, create yourself a Google number, its mainly used for 'Google voice'..... after you set it up, download an app called GrooveIP. Then sign in, and you're done. You can now make and receive calls and texts, get voicemail and everything. Unlimited......on your tablet.....
Sent from my GT-P7310 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fantastic.. I will give this a go! Thanks!! This works GREAT!!
How am I able to use my phones number though doing it this way?? Example-- Someone calls my phone and I want my tab to ring as well..

Droidnoobi said:
Fantastic.. I will give this a go! Thanks!!
How am I able to use my phones number though doing it this way?? Example-- Someone calls my phone and I want my tab to ring as well..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can push calls to either your real number, or google number you create, and receive calls and texts on multiple devices. It's all in the google settings portion of creating your number. You 'forward calls' to or from your google number, what ever device has grooveIP installed and signed into will get the call, including your real phone. I give out my 'google number' ..... Not my real one. You'll also receive your voicemails in text format, via email if you want. Google grooveIP..... Read up