1. How is integration of the GV App with the OS and other functions? Is it seamless, does it replace some other apps, etc.? Is its performance better than native apps, same, or worse and why?
2. Can you use other functions like native dialer if you want instead of using the GV app?
3. Can you use the text messaging native app if you want instead of using the GV app?
4. Do you have to modify all your contacts to dial out through your GV number, i.e. do you have to add the GV number, a pause, then the number, etc?
5. Is Verizon providing tech support on this app and GV capability?
6. For others that come to this thread who may still be undecided about keeping their number or getting a GV number, if you choose to use your number do you have to get another number for your cell phone, i.e. does this option actually port your number to GV taking you off Verizon and you must get a number with your carrier?
7. Any other information you feel everyone should know concerning the GV app and its integration with OS/performance?
My update is for my experience using Google Voice (GV) with a GV number on Motorola Droid with android 2.0 and 2.0.1. Your experience may vary with other versions of the OS and phones. This is somewhat detailed for those of us that are new to android, GV, etc. and are confused by all the more informed chatter out there.
Ref questions 1, 2, and 3. I have found that
GV, as a service, integrates very nicely in android 2.0 on the Motorola Droid. My original questions, however, were somewhat misinformed as one might expect given the lack of information concerning GV and the GV application.
The GV app is really just your interface for GV visual voice mail (VVM) - albeit a far better visual voice mail app than Verizon's VVM because it provides a transcript of the message as well as the ability to listen to the message and it is free! The GV app might actually do the heavy integration lifting behind the scenes but that is transparent to the user.
Note: you must contact Verizon and ask them to stop your Verizon VVM service or you will continue to pay $2.99/month - uninstalling the Verizon VVM app is not enough.
GV does integrate very well with the native applications or applications you have downloaded from the android market seamlessly behind the scenes.
A word of caution concerning GV voice mail message notifications. I use handcent for SMS after reading about it on another thread. I get GV text messages and voice mail just fine through that application - great application by the way.
You will get multiple GV VVM messages/notifications if you are not careful with how you set your GV and application preferences. Initially, I got GV voice mail notifications and messages via gmail, handcent, the native MMS app, and the GV app. This is easily solved by changing native MMS application preferences and GV preferences on the GV google web page. Note: you can add GV VVM integration into your gmail by choosing settings, labs and enabling GV app for gmail. You can then label and filter GV VVM messages into their own area for easy reviewing and storage.
Ref question 4. GV handles everything behind the scenes. No modification to contacts is required. There used to be a problem with that but the current service does not require you to change anything. You can set GV up to be the default service for making calls or let it ask you every time. You pick which to dial out, Verizon or GV, and just place the call. Everything else is transparent to the user.
One caveat, there has been a lot of discussion in the forums and on the web about how
using GV can use up your Verizon plan minutes and
possible work arounds that involve monitoring the GV phone number for dial out and adding that to your friends and family. See this forum link for more information about that:
http://androidforums.com/lounge/24913-google-voice-mystery-phone-number.html .
One other note.
GV text messaging is free. You can dump your Verizon text messaging and save more $ if you like. I have a teenager and wife that text like crazy so I have an unlimited text messaging plan anyway and I have not used GV text messaging enough to know whether it is reliable enough.
I would try GV text messaging first to make sure you are comfortable with it before canceling your Verizon text messaging. Please post if you have had more experience using GV messaging and can add to the discussion and provide advice to new users.
Ref question 5. Probably not although I have not had a need to call Verizon and ask for assistance. The GV experience has been great!
Ref question 6. I have a GV provided number. But based on the post and my experiences thus far, I believe no further actions are required on your end other than setting up GV to get your voicemail and setting your phone to access GV voice mail. This option simply allows you to take advantage of GV voicemail. It does not "port" your number or impact your Verizon service in anyway. It just enables you to access GV voicemail. This may be a better way to go if you do not need all the other services using a GV number provides (see this link for more info on the different services provided:
Google Voice ) and you do not want to deal with the whole Verizon minutes used thing and work around discussed above.
Ref question 7. I think I have said enough so far. I will post more when I have used GV more. For great advice on transitioning to and using GV see the following links:
A Guide To Google Voice | 404 Tech Support ,
How to Ease Your Transition to Google Voice - Google Voice - Lifehacker , and
Google Voice Quick Reference Guide | Cool Geex .
Others, please add additional helpful information!
I hope this has helped you make a more informed decision and helped ease your transition!