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I hate, hate, hate google voice!!!!

C

caneaddict

Member
I can't seem to find threads with this issue so I'm thinking GV just doesn't like me (and the feeling is very mutual at this point).

So I dial and it just says "connecting..." but it never connects. If it always did this then I would just go ahead and get rid of it. But it's sneaky, GV usually works, except anytime I actually really need to make an important call I CAN'T because that's when it won't connect. Sometimes it lasts minutes, sometimes hours. Most of my friends don't pick up unknown calls, so if i try to call w/o GV i usually won't get through.

I was one of the original beta GV users and have had it on my original Nexus and now EVO 4G, always the same. Anyone with similar experiences or suggestions?
 
so I'm on 3g when this happens and my service is good because if i call out at the same time with the same cell phone but without using GV it calls fine. Is GV using data to connect (3G etc.) or is it using straight voice like calling from the cell phone?
 
caneaddict said:
so I'm on 3g when this happens and my service is good because if i call out at the same time with the same cell phone but without using GV it calls fine. Is GV using data to connect (3G etc.) or is it using straight voice like calling from the cell phone?
Click to expand...

The GV app used to use data when you initiated a call, then dialed an access number just like a regular voice call. A couple updates ago the GV changed how it dialed out and now uses the access numbers directly. That is the description on the app.

However, I notice when I dial out using the GV app, it still uses data, then dials an access number like a regular voice call. So from what I am seeing, yes, it does use data to get the access number, contrary to the description from Google.

Hopefully someone else can chime and and correct me if I stated anything incorrectly.
 
I just turned off my data connection on my phone and tried to call a phone number via the GV app. It sat there for a few seconds, then popped up saying Google Voice could not connect, retry or cancel. So it looks like the GV app does use data when you initiate a call.
 
This may not be an option for you but I actually use the number given to me by my carrier and only use GV to forward all calls to my phone.

This keeps my outbound call from my original number but when anyone calls that number it is forwarded to my GV number and gives me free visual vmail.

Yes, I'm on one of the carriers that still charges for visual vmail.

That puts the outbound call on the responsibility of my carrier and if there are any problems they will need to fix it.

Incoming I do miss every once and awhile though b/c GV really isn't the most reliable system yet.

Good luck with it all though!
 
caneaddict, you might look around for an app that acts like a calling card. I have seen it mentioned before, but I don't remember the name of it. Basically, the way the app works, if you want to dial one of your contacts, say 123-456-7890, you dial it from your contact list like normal.

Then the app takes over and dials your GV number, enters your PIN, presses 2, then dials 123-456-7890. All of those steps are automated. You tell it to pause between the steps.

In your case, this would eliminate the need for data, since it is all done via a "normal" voice call.

In addition, if you have a "friends and family" plan where you can call a phone number for free, setup your GV number as one of your "friends and family" and you get unlimited calling out from your phone using the above method. If you set GV to display your GV number instead of the person calling you, you get free incoming calls.....
 
Google Voice Callback is the app I use for that, it works really well. It will 'answer' when it calls your GV number. I also use Voice Choice to either always use or always bypass GV. Both work nicely together.
 
looks like i will need to use a gv callback service because I just connected at home to wifi in order to test if it's a data issue. I'm scrolling internet super fast on my phone and making calls no problem. But still GV sporadically gets stuck at "connecting ..." and never connects.
 
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