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Google Voice?

Sweet Chaos

Sweet Chaos

Android Enthusiast
I've been reading these articles about how to you now port your number over to Google Voice and use that for your calls but how it isn't VoIP so it uses minutes or something like that and I'm really confused. What's the point of using it? From what I understand, you have to get a new number from your carrier to do this? So you change your number, possibly paying a cancellation fee, and pay $20 to bring it to Google Voice, just to keep using the minutes you already have?

I would understand if it used your data instead of minutes so you could drop your minutes to the lowest plan and talk using data, but I'm understanding that that isn't the situation. Can someone please explain this to me?
 
There are a couple of real world applications... depends on how you set it up.

I use GV as my main number, and use a simple program (GV Dialer) to call out and receive calls. I do need an F&F type plan for this to work.

Now... as far as the porting in goes, there are less transparent uses, but if you are looking to set up a VOIP solution with a long-established number, this could be valuable.
 
I use GV for texting. You sign up for GV and then you pick out a new number for yourself. So you end up with 2 different numbers (1 from Verizon and 1 from GV), and then you can use them how you see fit. I use my Verizon number for phone calls, and the GV number for texting. Texting is free this way, so I don't have to pay Verizon for it.
 
Sweet Chaos said:
I've been reading these articles about how to you now port your number over to Google Voice and use that for your calls but how it isn't VoIP so it uses minutes or something like that and I'm really confused. What's the point of using it? From what I understand, you have to get a new number from your carrier to do this? So you change your number, possibly paying a cancellation fee, and pay $20 to bring it to Google Voice, just to keep using the minutes you already have?

I would understand if it used your data instead of minutes so you could drop your minutes to the lowest plan and talk using data, but I'm understanding that that isn't the situation. Can someone please explain this to me?
Click to expand...

GV is only available in the US and Canada. Don't know (and doubt) if/whether it will work outside the US and Canada.
 
Hrethgir said:
I use GV for texting. You sign up for GV and then you pick out a new number for yourself. So you end up with 2 different numbers (1 from Verizon and 1 from GV), and then you can use them how you see fit. I use my Verizon number for phone calls, and the GV number for texting. Texting is free this way, so I don't have to pay Verizon for it.
Click to expand...


I had been using Google Voice for texting but noticed the texts were showing up on my Verizon bill. At least on my phone, the texts are recognized as text messages and Verizon has been charging. I called Verizon (usually an exercise in futility) and they confirmed that Google texts are recognized on the device and charged for. Searching around has found others with the same experience.
 
shrink57 said:
I had been using Google Voice for texting but noticed the texts were showing up on my Verizon bill. At least on my phone, the texts are recognized as text messages and Verizon has been charging. I called Verizon (usually an exercise in futility) and they confirmed that Google texts are recognized on the device and charged for. Searching around has found others with the same experience.
Click to expand...

How are you sending you txt messages through GV. It shouldn't be charged
 
Sweet Chaos said:
I've been reading these articles about how to you now port your number over to Google Voice and use that for your calls but how it isn't VoIP so it uses minutes or something like that and I'm really confused.
Click to expand...
The number porting option does not remove the requirement for at least one forwarding phone. It's just there to allow you to port a number that you want to use as your GV number. There are no other changes. GV still isn't VOIP and it still uses minutes.

Sweet Chaos said:
What's the point of using it? From what I understand, you have to get a new number from your carrier to do this? So you change your number, possibly paying a cancellation fee, and pay $20 to bring it to Google Voice, just to keep using the minutes you already have?
Click to expand...
It's simply there for those that don't want to have to change their number in the switch to GV. I can't comment on cancellation fees. Typically, porting a number does close out the account that the number is ported from but I haven't ported a number to GV so I don't have first hand experience with porting to GV.

Sweet Chaos said:
I would understand if it used your data instead of minutes so you could drop your minutes to the lowest plan and talk using data, but I'm understanding that that isn't the situation. Can someone please explain this to me?
Click to expand...
That's neither here nor there. Again, the only change is that you can now port a number.

shrink57 said:
I had been using Google Voice for texting but noticed the texts were showing up on my Verizon bill. At least on my phone, the texts are recognized as text messages and Verizon has been charging. I called Verizon (usually an exercise in futility) and they confirmed that Google texts are recognized on the device and charged for. Searching around has found others with the same experience.
Click to expand...
Not possible unless you're using SMS forwarding in which case your GV texts are billable both inbound and outbound but then you'd be receiving messages in messaging apps other than the GV app (e.g. the stock Messaging app, Hancent, Chomp, GoSMS, etc).

Hit the full GV site at http://www.google.com/voice and go to Settings->Voice settings. Hit the Phones tab. Click the Edit button for your phone. Make sure the "Receive text messages on this phone checkbox is unchecked" to disable SMS forwarding.

Similarly, SMS notifications are billable. Go to the Voicemail & text tab and make sure that the "Send a text (SMS) message to" check box in the Voicemail Notifications section is unchecked to disable SMS voicemail notifications.
 
I use the following features in Google Voice:

-Rings BOTH my Office phone and Cell phone during the work day. And I answer the phone that is most convenient at the time. On weekends and afterhours, only my Cell phone rings. Also, this makes it easy for my mom and family to just call ONE number whenever they want to reach me, instead of sometimes leaving two VMs--one on my cell and the other on my work phone.

-Call block some folks. Luckily they only have my GV #, so I can easily block them

-Helps me easily live within my 200 msg limit from my carrier. I text unlimitedly with friends with GV. But I have to keep my $5/200 msg carrier plan active for those times when I need verification from banks, cc's etc. These services can't verify to GV or update to GV, they need the carrier #.

-GV also lets you text from your computer, too, and retains your SMS until you delete them.
 
shrink57 said:
I had been using Google Voice for texting but noticed the texts were showing up on my Verizon bill. At least on my phone, the texts are recognized as text messages and Verizon has been charging. I called Verizon (usually an exercise in futility) and they confirmed that Google texts are recognized on the device and charged for. Searching around has found others with the same experience.
Click to expand...

Takeshi is correct. You must have SMS forwarding toggled in your "true" GV settings.
 
takeshi said:
Not possible unless you're using SMS forwarding in which case your GV texts are billable both inbound and outbound but then you'd be receiving messages in messaging apps other than the GV app (e.g. the stock Messaging app, Hancent, Chomp, GoSMS, etc).

Hit the full GV site at http://www.google.com/voice and go to Settings->Voice settings. Hit the Phones tab. Click the Edit button for your phone. Make sure the "Receive text messages on this phone checkbox is unchecked" to disable SMS forwarding.

Similarly, SMS notifications are billable. Go to the Voicemail & text tab and make sure that the "Send a text (SMS) message to" check box in the Voicemail Notifications section is unchecked to disable SMS voicemail notifications.
Click to expand...

I just checked and everything has been set as you mentioned. For some reason it is still getting picked up by Verizon. Strange :confused:
 
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