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Google Voice, What Does it Actually Do?

Digital Controller

Digital Controller

The Real Bass Creator
So I am looking into Google Voice and seeing what it does for my phone.

I had a couple questions.

People told me to download GrooveIP to work side by side Google Voice... but I was wondering, what does GrooveIP do that Google Voice can't, and vice versa.


Personally I find GrooveIP annoying because everytime i switch from mobile network to wifi i need to relog in...which is a hassle, when i call using google voice it just automatically calls using whatever, mobile network or wifi, that i am connected to and sounds good and everything.

With the GrooveIP it has some lag and is kind of static-y.

Could someone help me out with an explanation?
 
Google Voice is a phone routing service. It allows you to direct one phone number to ring multiple phones... or your computer instead (if you're logged into Gmail). It transcribes (poorly but still usefully) voicemails. It also (with some limitations) allows you to send text messages for free.

GrooVeIP is relevant to Google Voice only if you want to use Google Voice as VOIP on your phone (it can be VOIP on your computer if you're logged into Gmail).
 
Ohhh, but I am confused when the phone asks to use Google Voice to make the call isnt it already using internet not my cell phone provider?

EDIT: Like when i make the call it says GrooVeIP failed, like when im logged out, and then it just calls with Google Voice over mobile network, im guessing its using my cellular service then?
 
Okay let me clarify that i understand the need for both and when it asks me to use google voice over mobile internet, it is using my cellular service to make phone calls, so i understand that i need GrooVeIP to make phone calls and not be charged
 
If you want to make calls using strictly data and not phone minutes using Google Voice on your phone, you need GrooVeIP (or something like it, if such a thing exists).

If you use Google Voice to make calls, you are using your minutes.
 
Is Google Voice also connected to the voice mail sending capabilities of the Android phone? It would have been useful if you need not to connect to any wifi internet to access it yet it really needs a route for transfer
 
andnewbie09 said:
Is Google Voice also connected to the voice mail sending capabilities of the Android phone?
Click to expand...
You need an internet connection to access Google Voice voicemails. I do think if you've set it up to sync to your Android phone, it'll cache a certain number of voicemails offline, but you'll need a data connection to retrieve them in the first place.
It would have been useful if you need not to connect to any wifi internet to access it yet it really needs a route for transfer
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Yes, the data connection for a phone call is for routing purposes. The actual phone call uses minutes.
 
dan330 said:
i have been thinking about looking more into this
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Honestly Dan its a great idea to save money, right now im looking to cut my bill literally by about 75%.

If you just ask your carrier about some old dusty plans they have sitting in the back they can help you out, like I still have Verizon's old Unlimited Mobile Internet, and I will have it unless i change internet plans, which there is no need, and all I had to do was ask about limited my minutes/texts more so than what they had on their website, and they were more than happy to give me a plan that helped me out
 
linkinparkz0 said:
So I am looking into Google Voice and seeing what it does for my phone.

I had a couple questions.

People told me to download GrooveIP to work side by side Google Voice... but I was wondering, what does GrooveIP do that Google Voice can't, and vice versa.


Personally I find GrooveIP annoying because everytime i switch from mobile network to wifi i need to relog in...which is a hassle, when i call using google voice it just automatically calls using whatever, mobile network or wifi, that i am connected to and sounds good and everything.

With the GrooveIP it has some lag and is kind of static-y.

Could someone help me out with an explanation?
Click to expand...

Google Voice...humm, maybe googling, Google Voice....

What is Google Voice? - YouTube

Google Voice Blog
 
linkinparkz0 said:
Ohhh, but I am confused when the phone asks to use Google Voice to make the call isnt it already using internet not my cell phone provider?
Click to expand...
If you don't have GrooVeIP installed and just GV, when you first place a call it asks you to place a call with Google Voice, which means your GV number shows up on caller ID, and minutes are used; or place a call without Google Voice, meaning your old number shows up on caller ID, and minutes are used. There's an option to ask everytime, use your GV number, or use your old number (in which case you're only using the GV app for visual voicemail and potentially texting). So GrooVeIP is lets you place and receive calls via data using your GV #. The only downside is the latency in voice transmissions. It's almost as bad as satellite phone, especially if you're chatting with someone also on voip. But it's the same latency as if you voiped on a pc
 
adaaaam said:
If you don't have GrooVeIP installed and just GV, when you first place a call it asks you to place a call with Google Voice, which means your GV number shows up on caller ID, and minutes are used; or place a call without Google Voice, meaning your old number shows up on caller ID, and minutes are used. There's an option to ask everytime, use your GV number, or use your old number (in which case you're only using the GV app for visual voicemail and potentially texting). So GrooVeIP is lets you place and receive calls via data using your GV #. The only downside is the latency in voice transmissions. It's almost as bad as satellite phone, especially if you're chatting with someone also on voip. But it's the same latency as if you voiped on a pc
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Adam thanks this made it a lot clearer when i also figured out how it worked, the latency issue also was a big help, currently I am trying out a couple different VOIP's just because GrooVeIP wasn't too good over 3G
 
FYI, That is not completely correct, it needs to be set up in the USA, but I do have friends and family that live in Canada and they all have GV working there. I was able to set it up for them originally.



AlvarezLuis said:
FYI: Google Voice works inside the USA only!


Free MySMS for instance, OTOH, works everywhere...
Click to expand...
 
If you aren't happy with the call quality for GrooveIP you may want to look at TalkaTone.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talkatone.android

Since the Nexus also has built in VOIP support you could also look at getting a sip account.

http://gigaom.com/mobile/galaxy-nexus-data-plan-sip-voip-support-free-calls/

The same author also talks about Bria for Android.
http://gigaom.com/mobile/what-does-hd-voice-sound-like-on-a-mobile-voip-call/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bria.voip
 
OfTheDamned said:
If you aren't happy with the call quality for GrooveIP you may want to look at TalkaTone.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talkatone.android

Since the Nexus also has built in VOIP support you could also look at getting a sip account.

Galaxy Nexus + data plan + VoIP support = free calls! — Mobile Technology News

The same author also talks about Bria for Android.
What does HD Voice sound like on a mobile VoIP call? — Mobile Technology News
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bria.voip
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I am using Talkatone now, and it is pretty good, with this native support of SIP though, i just looked into it, and since i am already set up with GV, would i still need to get a new number and such, and is it really worth the 8$?

EDIT: And honestly, would it be more worth it to use the integrated SIP support or use talkatone? and how would i go about doing the SIP support thing?
 
linkinparkz0 said:
I am using Talkatone now, and it is pretty good, with this native support of SIP though, i just looked into it, and since i am already set up with GV, would i still need to get a new number and such, and is it really worth the 8$?

EDIT: And honestly, would it be more worth it to use the integrated SIP support or use talkatone? and how would i go about doing the SIP support thing?
Click to expand...

It is all about personal preference and where you find the best call quality. They all do about the same things, just different methods. If you have a system that works well, great. If you still have trouble then there are other options to try.
 
OfTheDamned said:
It is all about personal preference and where you find the best call quality. They all do about the same things, just different methods. If you have a system that works well, great. If you still have trouble then there are other options to try.
Click to expand...

Honestly, i like the idea of using a SIP, but a lot of them look a little sketchy haha, i think i might just stick with talkatone, its worked great so far

Also, i guess since i keep making new threads about this maybe i should just ask the question here
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/613507-carrier-questions-monthly-expenses.html

I made that thread to answer a couple more questions, i can just ask them here though.

Is there an easy way to avoid being charged minutes, like a minute here or there, or something. I mean does Google Voice forward my original calls to the GV number or vice versa when you check that box in under call setting in GV?
 
linkinparkz0 said:
Honestly, i like the idea of using a SIP, but a lot of them look a little sketchy haha, i think i might just stick with talkatone, its worked great so far

Also, i guess since i keep making new threads about this maybe i should just ask the question here
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/613507-carrier-questions-monthly-expenses.html

I made that thread to answer a couple more questions, i can just ask them here though.

Is there an easy way to avoid being charged minutes, like a minute here or there, or something. I mean does Google Voice forward my original calls to the GV number or vice versa when you check that box in under call setting in GV?
Click to expand...

You have to have all calls going through Google Voice for outgoing and people have to be using the Google Voice number for incoming calls as well. If anyone uses your Verizon number, that isn't a Verizon customer, you will use minutes. This only applies if you are using VOIP or have the 5 friends and family option on your account. If you have the friends and family option then you don't need VOIP at all.
 
DonB said:
FYI, That is not completely correct, it needs to be set up in the USA, but I do have friends and family that live in Canada and they all have GV working there. I was able to set it up for them originally.
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Last year I advised a member on here to use GrooVeIP for her calling needs in China, and it worked out brilliantly. Americans were dialing her American number and her phone was ringing overseas, and she was making free calls to America.
linkinparkz0 said:
Is there an easy way to avoid being charged minutes, like a minute here or there, or something. I mean does Google Voice forward my original calls to the GV number or vice versa when you check that box in under call setting in GV?
Click to expand...
When you signed up for Google Voice, you were given two options: keep your existing number or create a new Google Voice number, which I'm assuming you did. You then have the option of having calls placed to your GV# forwarded to 1 or more phones, or no phones (in which case your GV# is a voicemail account).

If GrooVeIP is unopen/not logged on: When callers dial your old#, your Android dialer receives it, and if you answer, it will use minutes. When callers dial your GV#, they are forwarded to your old#, so your Android dialer still receives it, and it will use minutes.

If GrooVeIP is open and logged on: When callers dial your old#, your Android dialer receives it, it will use minutes. When callers dial your GV#, GrooVeIP receives it, and no minutes are used.

If you place calls using the Android dialer, unless you tap "Use GrooVeIP", you will be tapping "Use Google Voice" or "Do Not Use Google Voice", both of which use minutes via native dialer and only affect how you are displayed on Caller ID. If you place any call using the GrooVeIP dialer it's free and your GV# is displayed on Caller ID.

So anytime you are using your native dialer to make or receive calls you are using minutes, anytime you are using GrooVeIP you are not using minutes. If you have an incoming call you can tell whether they're calling your old # (which uses minutes) or your GV # (free if GrooVeIP is open and logged in) by the graphics of the screen
 
just FYI... Sprint's account has UNLIMITED free from/to ANY cell calls. and all calls during nights and weekends are free.

so only calls to NON-mobile number is charged to your anytime-minutes.. during daytime weekdays.

i use my phone for work and personal...i have only used under 200 min each month.. last month was 35!

(i am not using any form of VOIP)
 
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