Nexus 4 tMobile prepaid Google Voice GrooveIP

[RaLeX]

I'm patiently waiting for my Nexus 4 to arrive. Trying to have everything ready to go when I get it. I plan on unlocking the bootloader and rooting before setting everything up. I have a tMobile prepaid microSIM, which only offers 100 minutes a month. I can normally get by with this, and if not, I still have my Verizon family line hooked to a flip phone for $10/month and a boatload of minutes.

I've been trying to understand this whole Google Voice and GrooveIP set up in order to give me extra minutes on the Nexus. I want to set all this up before I start giving out my new tMobile number to everyone. (I'm not porting my old number over because of the ETF) I'm most often connected to wifi and being able to have free calls would be great! However, I obviously still want to be able to call people and receive calls when I'm not connected to wifi. It would also be nice to be able to hook it up so that if someone calls my Verizon line- it rings on my Nexus.

Texts are not an issue, I have unlimited on both Verizon and tMobile. Consistency is my top priority. I don't want to have one number for texting and one number for calls. And I'd also prefer to still be able to choose my SMS app (GOSMS/Handcent/stock messaging/etc...) MMS is also important as I send (I know I can use email) and receive (hard to convince others to send me pics via email) a lot of picture messages.

If it makes it easier, we can ignore the Verizon line, as I was just going to leave that phone at home and use it to talk to my grandpa (who is almost the only one I ever talk to since he doesn't text) or just for extra minutes so I'm not digging into the 100tMobile. But, if there's a simple way to link it all up. I'm game for it.

Anybody have any knowledge/advice to impart via layman's terms given my situation?

 

[donec]

I don't text so can't offer much there. I have been using GV (Google Voice) for a long time almost since it came out. Some of the things I like most are I never have to change the number I give out to people, because I decided to use the GV number and just give it out. If I change phone carriers or move or anything I just change my settings in GV. I just setup GV so that when someone calls my GV # all my phones ring. Also if I don't answer for some reason GV takes a message and I will get an email saying I have a message, of course I get a (really poor) transcription of the message in the email. Sometimes I can tell enough to decide whether to check my messages via phone or online. It is very easy to block a caller by just marking the number in GV and you get no more calls from that number.

I have been trying to get rid of my landline and just use my cell phone. I got a set of bluetooth phone handsets (3) for my home so I can answer the phone in any room that has a handset. But my current setup cell is a Tracfone and I can not use it with Groove IP or Talkatone. I have my Nexus 4 but can't figure a way for the bluetooth handsets to work with it since it does not yet have a sim card (in the mail supposedly).

However! I have been using Both Groove IP free and paid for about a week along with Talkatone. Groove IP seems a little more intuitive but I found I can get clearer calls via Talkatone with less settings modification. I have changed the settings for both extensively.

BTW when trying to get your settings clear you can use 1 909 390-0003 to test your settings. When you call it it may or may not ring but no one will answer. As you talk you will hear yourself and here how you sound.

I don't know if the sound with this # is truly accurate but at least it will get you close to decent settings. Then if you use GV, have a phone that does not use minutes you can remove your phone that does not use minutes from your GV account. Send all your calls to Google Chat and answer them with your Groove IP or Talkatone settings for your final corrections. Hope this helps some.

 

[Skyroket]

since i've got $30 t-mobile 100m i started to text more than usual. I just ignore calls and replay with a message. That way i save minutes for more importation call.. usually outgoing. I use groove ip only for calls where you have to be on hold(Banks,customer support and etc.) When they need to call they just leave a message.. and get notification.
i personally talk much less on the phone.. and i'm kinda glad! Plus this groove ip inst the best option but it's the only one decent. This plan primarily for those who use internet and text mostly. I average 3.5gb of data and god knows how many sms.

 

[RaLeX]

I think I'll be fine with minutes since I still have that open Verizon line. So if it was only about that, my best scenario would be to use Google Voice and link up both my VZW and tMobile to unify one number for both. But then I would also like to use GrooveIP for wifi calls when I'm at work and don't have great service.

But now, SMS is my issue. I know there's a solution with Google Voice SMS Integration, but it was recently broken with JellyBean 4.2.1. I just have to decide if I can live with Google Voice's SMS app until they fix, if they fix it...

 

[Skyroket]

I think I'll be fine with minutes since I still have that open Verizon line. So if it was only about that, my best scenario would be to use Google Voice and link up both my VZW and tMobile to unify one number for both. But then I would also like to use GrooveIP for wifi calls when I'm at work and don't have great service.

But now, SMS is my issue. I know there's a solution with Google Voice SMS Integration, but it was recently broken with JellyBean 4.2.1. I just have to decide if I can live with Google Voice's SMS app until they fix, if they fix it...

what's wrong with gvoice and 4.2.1?

 

[RaLeX]

what's wrong with gvoice and 4.2.1?

From what I've read... I've been trying to read a lot and there seems to be varying opinion on what works and what doesnt... GVOICE SMS Integration seems to be broken on 4.2.1, as in, no notifications and people using their actual text plans...

I'm a much heavier text(er) than caller, so maybe Google Voice isn't for me. It seems to be great for syncing up phones and making calls. But it seems limiting in terms of SMS and MMS.

I may just use my tmobile prepaid number and use my verizon line for extra phone calls (grandpa, bank, ordering, etc...)

 

[tonytouch311]

I've been using the Vonage app to make outbound calls for free on my 4g data. Calls go out on YOUR number. Incoming calls use your minutes though. I'm on T-Mobile $30 100 mins 5 GB data. I make somewhere between 200- 400 mins a month with Vonage. On average, by end of the month I have about 25 mins left and used less 2 GB of data on my account. .

 

[donec]

I've been using the Vonage app to make outbound calls for free on my 4g data. Calls go out on YOUR number. Incoming calls use your minutes though. I'm on T-Mobile $30 100 mins 5 GB data. I make somewhere between 200- 400 mins a month with Vonage. On average, by end of the month I have about 25 mins left and used less 2 GB of data on my account. .

Can you provide a little more info on how you use vonage app? Do you have the regular vonage service and just add the app to your phone or is the vonage app all you need to make vonage calls?

 

[tonytouch311]

All you need is the app. No subscription is necessary.