Using Google Voice to get unlimited sms

[MisterEff]

Alright, so I have been given a Google Voice invite, I have not received it yet but he said it takes a few days, and I wanna know if I can use it to get unlimited SMS. I know that it uses actual minutes when talking to someone, but I have am on a family plan that offers me 500 messages and unlimited in messaging and I go through the 500 fairly quickly because my girlfriend does not have Verizon and unlimited messaging for the same price would be GREAT.

 

[punkzanyj]

yes, sorta.

With the GV app from the market, you can send and received SMS messages using data.

However, the app doesn't update constantly. I believe it takes up to 5 minutes to update SMS messages. So while the messages may be free, it may take longer to have a quick conversation unless you want to keep hitting the refresh option on the app.

As with most google products, this will probably change over time as users make the request to change it.

 

[MisterEff]

yes, sorta.

With the GV app from the market, you can send and received SMS messages using data.

However, the app doesn't update constantly. I believe it takes up to 5 minutes to update SMS messages. So while the messages may be free, it may take longer to have a quick conversation unless you want to keep hitting the refresh option on the app.

As with most google products, this will probably change over time as users make the request to change it.

Thanks, that makes me happy. I can't wait to get the invite.

 

[johnlgalt]

But, email does get pushed to the phone, so using the Send a copy of SMS to my email address makes sense.

Also, since you can specify another email address other than your log-in, make a new GMail address beneficially for these GV SMS only - join to it on the phone, and presto! You've got near instantaneous notification without cluttering up your regular email inbox.

Neat, huh?

 

[Crude]

IF nothing else get GV for the transcribed voicemails, the free visual voicemail or the ability to set a custom voicemail greeting for everyone in your phone book and the online sync capabilities.

I'm glad I beta'ed it. It payed off big time when I got the droid.

 

[MisterEff]

I will use it, I am just upset that I have to tell everyone to call me on a different number.

 

[Crude]

I will use it, I am just upset that I have to tell everyone to call me on a different number.

Oh but you don't the features I listed can be used with your current number.

On verizons network if you don't have the 5 favorites perk using the google voice number doesn't do you any good. All calls including those from verizon customers are billed as out of network calls. I still use my same old number. When some one calls that number and I don't answer it goes to GV voicemail. After the call is ended I have GV send me a email with the transcript so I'm not paying for a text message. I then read or listen to the voicemail via the attachment in the email.

Did you now that your voicemail is billed as an out of network call? You gets charged regular off-peak minutes to check your voicemail. So now you don't even have to call your voicemail anymore.

Once a week I'll log on to GV and go through my voicemails I delete from the server the ones I'm done with and I use the ones I still need to create a to-do list.

For international called I set up google voice to identify the number as out of country and route it through my GV account. I add $$$ to my account as needed and I can call anywhere in the world by just picking up my phone and dialing. My parents live in Frankfurt, it's $.02 a minute to call them.

It's VERY slick and hardly noticable that every one is being transfered to my GV account.

If you need help I'll be happy to assist you. I've played with it enough to a point were I feel comfortable with the service. Let me tell you...there's a learning curve with this one.

 

[MisterEff]

Ahh, I forgot about about the whole not counting as verizon thing...that sucks. I don't really use my phone for calling...I hate talking on the phone, so i guess I won't mind it too much. Besides, most of my friends do not have verizon. I will just call my family with my actual number. I have the 500 messages that I can use for voicemail, since I don't get it that often, and I won't be using those messages because I can get them free from GV.

 

[Golden Falcon]

yes, sorta.

With the GV app from the market, you can send and received SMS messages using data.

However, the app doesn't update constantly. I believe it takes up to 5 minutes to update SMS messages. So while the messages may be free, it may take longer to have a quick conversation unless you want to keep hitting the refresh option on the app.

As with most google products, this will probably change over time as users make the request to change it.

The native app itself is slow, but the SMS data itself is almost instantaneous.

If you don't want any kind of lag, go to the google voice website in your browser and you should be able to SMS at normal speed

 

[lodom]

That sounds good. I'm trying to figure a way around having to pay for texting ($10/mo unl). That X3 makes me upgrading to a data plan too expensive. My wife and son will stay on standard voice plans with text. Right now if I add a data plan I'll be paying $155 +/-.

 

[lemodular]

I also use Google Talk to chat with anyone who is able. There's an app for that both for the Android, iPhone and possibly others... of course that's just from one smart phone to another.