Help Another Google Voice Question

[rldev]

I am getting my Droid today and trying to decide if I should send my friends and family my new GV number. My question is, if you use GV to send and receive calls, it would seem that mobile to mobile calls becomes irrelevant. I assume this would mean I must have a calling plan with free outside networks calls. It amazes me that I would actually have to spend more money to use GV, but it is what it is I guess.

Please tell me if I am misinformed. Also how often does the GV routing number change? I suppose I could offset the costs of a higher plan by using GV for sms, but that option seems like a mess right now. Thanks.

 

[JoeC]

No, you're on track with that assessment.

To get the most out of it, it's best to use GV in a hybrid state, meaning that there's a place for still using your direct number (friends and family) so you could take advantage of the mobile-to-mobile. But, use GV to call businesses or people that you don't contact on a routine basis.

GV has it's advantages but really can't replace your main line entirely.

 

[Granada]

I just signed up for Google Voice and I have one important question. Is there any way to change the settings so that when someone calls me they don't have to enter my number to get to my voicemail message. I'm afraid that most of my friends and family call me from a contact list and don't have my number memorized I don't want them to have to remember my number just so they can leave me a message.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Justin

 

[jhat3k1]

Also, you will still get billed for incoming texts even if you use GV. I just went through this over the last few days and there is no way around it.

 

[JoeC]

Also, you will still get billed for incoming texts even if you use GV. I just went through this over the last few days and there is no way around it.

Yes there is, as GV is completely configurable with text messages.

You can choose to forward your texts to your cell phone(s)--this will use standard SMS charges as you indicated above

You can choose to forward your texts to your GMail account--this circumvents additional messaging charges while still having the push-type notification

You can choose not to forward your texts at all--this allows you to use the GV app for notifications, but they will be on a refresh interval; also you can you the GV website

 

[rldev]

Sounds like a hassle to me and no savings. I don't use the phone itself to warrant this I suppose. Maybe I will just use GV Voicemail for now and see how it progresses.

 

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a hassle to me and no savings. I don't use the phone itself to warrant this I suppose. Maybe I will just use GV Voicemail for now and see how it progresses.

I wouldn't be so quick to sign off on the convenience of having a google voice number. Just like any new product, it might take a few minutes to get set up and to identify its practical application in your own life, but GV is a pretty remarkable product. I'm not familiar with Verizon's calling plans, but I've been using the 'myfaves' plan with tmobile, and when I got a google voice number, I made the number one of my five faves.

JoeC is right on, in my opinion. Google Voice is a great thing to use in conjunction with your direct number. Family members get my direct number and businesses get my GV number. If I start getting calls from those business that I don't want to get, I can block them on the Voice web page. And if you have the GV application (which you should, if you have an android phone of any kind), then texting is 100% free with your GV number.

Really, it's not a hassle at all. But even if there was an upfront hassle, the convenience that comes with using it outweighs that hassle pretty quickly.

 

[rldev]

I wouldn't be so quick to sign off on the convenience of having a google voice number. Just like any new product, it might take a few minutes to get set up and to identify its practical application in your own life, but GV is a pretty remarkable product. I'm not familiar with Verizon's calling plans, but I've been using the 'myfaves' plan with tmobile, and when I got a google voice number, I made the number one of my five faves.

JoeC is right on, in my opinion. Google Voice is a great thing to use in conjunction with your direct number. Family members get my direct number and businesses get my GV number. If I start getting calls from those business that I don't want to get, I can block them on the Voice web page. And if you have the GV application (which you should, if you have an android phone of any kind), then texting is 100% free with your GV number.

Really, it's not a hassle at all. But even if there was an upfront hassle, the convenience that comes with using it outweighs that hassle pretty quickly.

I do not take business calls on my cell phone. So this does not help. I wasn't impressed enough with Droid so I am back to Sprint, which doesn't have a my faves program. S I'm not sure how I can use GV with it, although I probably have enough minutes anyway. I think GV is great and intend to use it. I just have to see how it fits in with Sprint now.

 

[karimarie]

I just signed up for Google Voice and I have one important question. Is there any way to change the settings so that when someone calls me they don't have to enter my number to get to my voicemail message. I'm afraid that most of my friends and family call me from a contact list and don't have my number memorized I don't want them to have to remember my number just so they can leave me a message.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Justin

You can set GV up so that it's your voicemail when people call your cell phone number. Check out these instructions.

 

[syntrix]

I do not take business calls on my cell phone. So this does not help. I wasn't impressed enough with Droid so I am back to Sprint, which doesn't have a my faves program. S I'm not sure how I can use GV with it, although I probably have enough minutes anyway. I think GV is great and intend to use it. I just have to see how it fits in with Sprint now.

Good for you!

Did anyone not see the voip acquisition by google today?

If they enable it all, it WILL be your BUSINESS application. But google is laying low for now.

GV can still ring your sprint number, it just won't be as convenient

 

[e39e60]

Good for you!

Did anyone not see the voip acquisition by google today?

If they enable it all, it WILL be your BUSINESS application. But google is laying low for now.

GV can still ring your sprint number, it just won't be as convenient

What I want out of that buyout s for Gizmo to forward voice calls to GM for international calls for free. I mean for an international # u get from Gizmo.

I really liked how Vonage had local #s you could rent in other countries. also think GV will offer this too soon. Virtual #s in other countries for a fee.

 

[FireChief]

You can choose to forward your texts to your GMail account--this circumvents additional messaging charges while still having the push-type notification

I was hoping this would work (as you describe above), in hopes of dumping my unlimited text charge, BUT, after setting it up in GV, I have experience a significant delay in receiving the email. Several minutes.. So, this defeats the purpose of using the email to 'push' a text right through..

I suspect this is the Google Voice servers, not Gmail.. ??

If it gets 'fixed' I'll dump my unlimited text plan FOR SURE..

FC

 

[JoeC]

I was hoping this would work (as you describe above), in hopes of dumping my unlimited text charge, BUT, after setting it up in GV, I have experience a significant delay in receiving the email. Several minutes.. So, this defeats the purpose of using the email to 'push' a text right through..

I suspect this is the Google Voice servers, not Gmail.. ??

If it gets 'fixed' I'll dump my unlimited text plan FOR SURE..

FC

There should not be a delay in the reception of messages in GV. The GMail pushing should be as effective with the texts as with any other e-mail message.

 

[FireChief]

There should not be a delay in the reception of messages in GV. The GMail pushing should be as effective with the texts as with any other e-mail message.

So, after your post I decided to run a test:

Here is what I did-- I sent an text from another phone to MY GOOGLE VOICE NUMBER: It came into my Droid at 3 mins AFTER sending. It came as an email because I have that option selected in my GV account (send SMS as email). About 4 mins AFTER that, the same SMS came in through Google Voice.

Next, I used the same phone that sent the text to my GV number and sent a text to my cell phone number. (instead of the GV number this time)..

That text arrived in about 10 seconds to my phone.

Sorry Joe, it just doesn't work as you describe. I wish it would, believe me.. It just doesn't. I can only guess it's taking a few minutes in Google's hands.

A few minutes isn't that big a deal I guess, but it isn't fast enough for me to dump my texting plan with Verizon.

Does anyone else have a different experience?

I will run the test more times to see if it is different at other times of the day..

And Joe, if you come up with a reason you think it's slower on my set up, I am listening..

FC

--

When Seconds Count, the Police are Only Minutes Away.

 

[JoeC]

Interesting. I do know that the Google app push isn't always perfect. But, I'm curious..

Could you do that test with a standard email message and then with another forwarded GV text message to Gmail?

I wonder if it truly is the GV or the Google app. sync. in general.

 

[FireChief]

Interesting. I do know that the Google app push isn't always perfect. But, I'm curious..

Could you do that test with a standard email message and then with another forwarded GV text message to Gmail?

I wonder if it truly is the GV or the Google app. sync. in general.

I sent a standard email (several times) from one gmail account to another.. Came to the Droid in less than 1 minute.. once as fast as about 15 seconds, another time in about 45...

The SMS (sent from another cell phone) to my GV number came in, as the forwarded email, at just over 2 minutes.. Just a little better than the 3 mins before..

Maybe the 2 to 3 minute lag is a combination of various delays in all involved systems.. ??

FC

 

[JoeC]

Well, I'm with you in that I haven't dispensed with my text messaging plan, as it's still the fastest response. With other aspects related to GV, I still have to use it as a complement to things that I do, rather than a replacement for them.

Thanks for doing that little test.

 

[Douglas Hughes]

since you guys sound very informed on this topic, I have a droid and want to only get texts through my gmail. In Google Voice I have it set to forward to Gmail but still get a text as well. And a notification sound for the text and another for the mail. can I stop the reception of texts for my droid and then they will only come in my gmail?

 

[JoeC]

Yes you can.

On the GV website, go to Settings - Phones...
Edit the cell phone # on which you receive the texts...
Uncheck the "Receive SMS on this phone" checkbox

 

[Douglas Hughes]

I did that and it seems to have helped. but when I get a text I get it in "voice" and emial which does not bother me. what I wonder is if the "voice" sms is going to be considered a text by verizon and there by charge me for it. That would defeat part of the purpose of the GV for me. Sory if the question sounds dumb, i am a newbie if that is what you call it.

 

[JoeC]

I did that and it seems to have helped. but when I get a text I get it in "voice" and emial which does not bother me. what I wonder is if the "voice" sms is going to be considered a text by verizon and there by charge me for it. That would defeat part of the purpose of the GV for me. Sory if the question sounds dumb, i am a newbie if that is what you call it.

Well I'm not sure what you mean by getting a text in "voice." That only seems like a contradiction to me. Voice is making and receiving phone calls. Text messages use SMS, for which carriers charge. MMS is not compatible with Google Voice, but is really a hybrid of data usage and messaging plan (instances are deducted from messaging plan, but require an APN/data connection for use.

You can get two types of alerts from GV: voicemails and texts. As long as you have both options unchecked within GV settings, you won't be charged for messaging by the carrier.

 

[Douglas Hughes]

I guess that my problem is that I do not understand something; when someone texts me in voice on the motorola droid and I get the little cartoon bubble in the top left corner of my phone, is that a text alert or a data alert from voice. I have not seen a way on my voice settings to uncheck whatever makes the alert show up that way then again by email. I am sorry if I am frustrating you but I just don't get how to set this correctly. Thanks in advance for your help and wanting to deal with people like me that are "challenged".

 

[JoeC]

OK I think I got it. When you say "voice" you're talking about the Google Voice app on the phone. I forgot that Google removed the Google in Google Voice.

When you get an alert from "Voice," it uses your data connection completely. You can configure the app's polling interval under settings. If you don't want it to alert you at all, you can do that too.

 

[Douglas Hughes]

I knew it was the way that I was explaining it and not your knowledge! That is the answer that I was looking for on the question that you stated more clearly than I could. Thanks so much. I love the phone and having people like you out there that take the time to help, makes it even better.

 

[JoeC]

I'm glad I could help and I'm glad that you like your phone! All of us here don't start out as experts, we just gain experience and share it.