Familyguy1
Android Enthusiast
I have never quite understood Google Voice and Talk...how do you set it up and what are the good features of them.
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Help Google Voice and Talk....how do you get it to work?
- Thread starter Familyguy1
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- htc thunderbolt
ska.t73
Android Expert
Not sure how Google Voice is doing it now, but when I got it you had to be invited to join by someone that already has it. You set it up under you google account on your computer.
Google Talk is the IM client that Gmail uses, if you have a Gmail account then you can use Google Talk. I believe all the settings for it are under your Gmail preferences. I would suggest doing it from a computer.
The apps allow you to use the services from your phone with out having to use a browser.
skinien
Android Enthusiast
Google Voice has a few features:
1. Free text messaging. You text over data.
2. Free visual voice mail. You can set up your Google Voice account to "intercept" voice mails so that they are not handled by verizon. Not only does it have the regular visual voice mail features, but it transcribes the voice mails so you can see the text. You can also log in online and play/delete/read/archive voice mails.
3. You get another phone number. When you sign up for Google Voice, you can create a new phone number. You can then "link" that phone number to other phone numbers. So, if someone calls your Google Voice number, you can have it forwarded to one or more phones. You can even set up specific forwarding rules for specific people. This is also the number that can be used for the free text messaging.
Personally, I don't really use it to text or receive calls. I just use it because you get free visual voice mail.
Oh, in terms of setting it up, open the app and go through the setup process. It should be pretty easy to follow. If you want Voice to handle your voice mail, log in online and you can set that up there (it will give you a code to type in your phone's dialer).
1. Free text messaging. You text over data.
2. Free visual voice mail. You can set up your Google Voice account to "intercept" voice mails so that they are not handled by verizon. Not only does it have the regular visual voice mail features, but it transcribes the voice mails so you can see the text. You can also log in online and play/delete/read/archive voice mails.
3. You get another phone number. When you sign up for Google Voice, you can create a new phone number. You can then "link" that phone number to other phone numbers. So, if someone calls your Google Voice number, you can have it forwarded to one or more phones. You can even set up specific forwarding rules for specific people. This is also the number that can be used for the free text messaging.
Personally, I don't really use it to text or receive calls. I just use it because you get free visual voice mail.
Oh, in terms of setting it up, open the app and go through the setup process. It should be pretty easy to follow. If you want Voice to handle your voice mail, log in online and you can set that up there (it will give you a code to type in your phone's dialer).
Pretty much what skinien said. If it helps, you can think of Google Voice as a middle man that you have everything else under. So you link your phone(s) to your GV account and when people call the GV number, it'll bounce to whatever phone(s) you have linked. The app is easy to set up (just got into the settings, everything makes sense on what it does) on the phone and web based side. I'd say the most difficult part of going to GV is just getting your new number to your current contacts. Although, after they have your GV number, it'll never matter again what number your phone actually has since you can just associate the new number with your GV account.
I use it (transitioned over about a year ago when I got the Droid 1 so everyone uses my GV number now) because of the free texts (texts use data instead of whatever path it normally takes). Visual voice mail is nice too but it doesn't come up as often since I use voice less than most people.
If you're wondering, your existing number will still work so if someone doesn't have your GV number and they call your standard number, it'll go right through to your device. Oh, GV also doesn't support MMS. I don't count that as a dealbreaker though since they can just email me instead.
I use it (transitioned over about a year ago when I got the Droid 1 so everyone uses my GV number now) because of the free texts (texts use data instead of whatever path it normally takes). Visual voice mail is nice too but it doesn't come up as often since I use voice less than most people.
If you're wondering, your existing number will still work so if someone doesn't have your GV number and they call your standard number, it'll go right through to your device. Oh, GV also doesn't support MMS. I don't count that as a dealbreaker though since they can just email me instead.
WormDoes
Android Expert
Was hoping someone familiar with google voice could help me with something? I signed up for voice months ago, but just got around to installing the app and using it on my phone. I tried to setup my voicemail, but had a problem. When I hit configure it brought up a screen with "My Carrier" and "Google Voice" on it. I clicked my carrier and it had the *86 for my VM, but I didn't know what to do from there. I chose to skip this setup, but now I can't find the option to set this back up and I don't even know how to set it up, lol. This is where I need the help. Also, I chose the option to ask which number I want to use when making outgoing calls, will it show me which number is being called when I receive an incoming call? Thanks in advance
skinien
Android Enthusiast
If you want Google Voice to handle your voice mail for missed calls to your Verizon number, you have to dial a special number on your cell phone's dialer.
To get that number, log into google voice (online), click settings (top right), and then click phones.
You should have a link next to your verizon cell phone number that says something like "Activate Google voicemail on this phone". Click on it and it will give you the number to dial. It's just a code with your number appended.
WormDoes
Android Expert
Ok, I got it setup. My next question, When I receive an incoming call, will it say which number the caller called? I'm using the GV number for business so I'm hoping it will say which line is being called. Under caller ID there's an option to display the callers number or my GV number, but you can't click both.
Also, do you use chrome for your desktop browser by any chance? I was wondering if you've tried/used the goole voice extension? I just installed it and I tried to make a call from it, but couldn't get it to work?
edit: I figured out the extension..it's pure awesomeness. I wish I started using google voice sooner
LV777
Newbie
In addition to having visual voicemail, you can also set it to have the voicemail transcribed and sent to you in text messages. It is worth getting just for the voicemail. Also the actual voicemails are downloaded when you want to hear them and can be played from your phone or your computer.