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Pay for Visual Voicemail?

A

avhokie

Newbie
Do you seriously have to pay for Visual Voicemail on VZ? I just got the Fascinate and it looks like it. I'm coming from Sprint and the HTC Hero. It was a free option there. I thought it was feature built into Android?
 
Google Voice is a great free alternative. Visual Voicemail is something Verizon has had for years on most of their devices. You can get the same (IMO better) feature using Google Voice.
 
I second the Google Voice for VM. There's a lot of other benefits with Google Voice as well. You can get a number to link to multiple phone lines and have them forwarded, you can screen calls, have certain calls sent straight to VM, use the Google number to dial out with or give out (if you don't want someone to have your real cell number), IM, etc etc.
 
I had a similar reaction when I switched from the iPhone. It was very annoying. Since then, I have become accustomed to Google Voice. It's not as streamlined imo but it works really well and the transcription can prove invaluable when you're in a meeting and can't listen to a voicemail.
 
I've never used Google Voice, but when I had my blackberry, I switched to using Youmail as my Voicemail, which was completely free and has its own Visual Voicemail app that works great.
 
Thanks folks. With Youmail/Google Voice, I'd have to port my phone number over to them right? I have to look into that solution some more...
 
avhokie said:
Thanks folks. With Youmail/Google Voice, I'd have to port my phone number over to them right? I have to look into that solution some more...
Click to expand...

No reason to port your number (whatever that means). My phone is set up to use Google Voice as its voicemail inbox, my number didn't change (although I do use the secondary GV number as a local number and for conference calling). It's about the most painless experience I've ever had dramatically altering the functionality of a Verizon phone.
 
google voice is the best.. you can buy a license or invite or whatever it is on Ebay for cheap. no monthly fees or anything, I've been happy with it.
 
My understanding is that Google currently does not let you port your number to them, you set up a separate number through which calls can be funneled to and from your other phones (mobile, home, work, etc.).

I believe that one aspect of this is that since the Google number is not "in network" or part of your Family plan you have to use airtime minutes for call that might otherwise be free. This applies for both people calling you via your Google number and you calling out though your Google number or to check voice mail. If you have 'Friends and Family' or something like that where you can include the Google number among those listed then that can address this.

If you call someone direct rather than through the Google Voice app then that may also address the "in network" aspect but then you have the scenario of effectively having two mobile numbers that others may have to address, your 'direct' number and your Google number.

Since I have been giving my cell number to clients, business associates and friends for some years it was not real practical for me to implement a new number. In addition, we typically have a large number of minutes each month that are currently in-network or within plan, with Google Voice we might have to bump up to a higher airtime Family Plan to cover those. As a result, I didn't see Google Voice as a good option for me and chose to pay for Visual Voicemail. So far have been quite happy with it, but your situation may differ.
 
I think there is confusion here. Download the Google Voice app so you can check voicemail without using minutes. The GV app also let's you see a transcript of voicemails...and it let's you send and receive free texts.

You can have your normal (non GV) number go to Google's voicemail.
 
ecpolo521 said:
Does anyone know if there's a way to change the voicemail speed dial to google voice? I can't seem to change it.
Click to expand...

I haven't tested this (don't really use GV yet, I just have it set up) but have you tried going to Phone Settings > Call settings > Voicemail service and changing it to Google Voice?
 
Moonfire said:
I haven't tested this (don't really use GV yet, I just have it set up) but have you tried going to Phone Settings > Call settings > Voicemail service and changing it to Google Voice?
Click to expand...

Thats setup. The voicemail icon and speed dial still goes to VZW.
 
ecpolo521 said:
Thats setup. The voicemail icon and speed dial still goes to VZW.
Click to expand...
The icon i don't have an answer for, but speed dial you are going to have to make a new one, or change the current one to map to the new google voice number that you got when you set it up.
 
Former Verizon visual voice mail user and now a satisfied Google voice user! Very simple to use: Just follow instructions at Google voice.

I like that you can get your VM from any computer too -- even my iPad.
 
GV certainly seems to be the way to go for almost everyone; slam dunk if you have F&F
 
I'm using Youmail on my Droid-X.

It intercepts calles when going to voicemail, Greets the user using their contact information
"hello Crystal, Justin is not available right now" etc. Can access it from any computer or your phone with their visual voicemail app etc.

I'm curious if GV does all of those things or if there is really any incentive for me to switch.

I don't think the transcripting is free with youmail, but I do like the custom greetings.
 
For the moment, I'm satisfied with "regular" voicemail. How do I remove the annoying, and very large, button inviting me to subscribe to Visual Voicemail?
 
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