Google Voice and Gizmo5?

[droidtime]

Hey guys, I see a lot of people are looking to get invites to both of these things, but I don't know why. Can someone explain to me why these things are so great, especially when used with phones?

 

[Roman G.]

Hey guys, I see a lot of people are looking to get invites to both of these things, but I don't know why. Can someone explain to me why these things are so great, especially when used with phones?

I don't know a thing about the gizmo deal, but with google voice I just went to the market and downloaded and set it up through there market and it worked fine!
But give me VVM anyday over google voice, I thought it was just to much!

 

[neodorian]

Google Voice is fun. I have it set to ring both my work phone and my cell but you can have it so certain numbers ring certain lines and not others. Voice mails are transcribed and sent to me as a text message. I can browse an inbox of all my voice mail in a Gmail-like interface with transcriptions and audio playback. There are a few other features too but that's mainly what I use mine for.

Also my G Voice number translates to (area code) YAY-LEET (or WAY-LEET if you prefer).

 

[Deleted User]

Gizmo5 is a service that gives you a free sip account. Google bought them so currently no new registrations. The cool thing with it is you can setup an ata phone adapter and forward your google voice number to the gizmo5 sip and essentially have a free voip line for incoming calls.

 

[neodorian]

my main question... can you use the google voice features with your current number?

what i mean is the voicemail texts... i would LOVE to get voicemails as a text when i'm in class or at work as i can discretely check that and reply, BUTTTT i don't want to have to give out a new number to everyone just for that feature...

can i connect my current number to google voice and just have that work without creating a new number?

Don't quote me on this but I think you can have Sprint forward your calls to the Google Voice number. I honestly don't mind having a separate number because that way I can give my cell number to friends and family but have a more screenable number to give out for everything else.

 

[Deleted User]

I have Sprint and yes you can set it up so when your sprint number is called and goes to VM it gets forwarded to your GV VM instead of the Sprint VM system, then you can have it set to send you a text with the vm transcribed.

 

[hitekalex]

Hey guys, I see a lot of people are looking to get invites to both of these things, but I don't know why. Can someone explain to me why these things are so great, especially when used with phones?

What exactly does this have to do with EVO?

 

[neodorian]

What exactly does this have to do with EVO?

As an Android device it integrates nicely with Google Voice. The interest in Evo has prompted some current and possibly future Android users to look into this service.

 

[ImGreen]

my main question... can you use the google voice features with your current number?

what i mean is the voicemail texts... i would LOVE to get voicemails as a text when i'm in class or at work as i can discretely check that and reply, BUTTTT i don't want to have to give out a new number to everyone just for that feature...

can i connect my current number to google voice and just have that work without creating a new number?

I know a couple others have already replied, so this is no disrespect to their posts, I just want to add a little more detail...

If you have GVoice or will get it in the future you just setup GV with your cell phone number as a "mobile" device. Then GV will give you the option to enable "conditional call forwarding" on your Sprint phone (can be any Sprint phone OS.) GV will actually show you the call forwarding code and GV phone number that you must dial on your phone to activate the feature. Once you do this all your missed calls will be forwarded to your GV number without the caller know any difference. Note: There are some settings you need to change on GV to make sure that your callers do get GV call screened or delayed to getting to voice mail in any way; you will also need to set "do not disturb" so that your mobile calls don't get forwarded to some other phone. After all that you will have replaced your Sprint vm with GV and you will get a TXT every time you miss a call and someone leaves you voice-mail. Google translation works "ok" for me, but I really like getting the TXT that tells me I have a vm on GV.

Keep in mind that if you use GV this way you are basically disabling forwarding calls to other phone numbers, but this method does get you what you are asking for. You might want to look up "Sprint to Work" feature that Sprint has (they do not advertise it though.)

Hope this helps.

 

[ImGreen]

Hey guys, I see a lot of people are looking to get invites to both of these things, but I don't know why. Can someone explain to me why these things are so great, especially when used with phones?

I see that Gizmo5 was already explained... I would love to try that... hopefully soon...

I just want to add some more general information about Google Voice "GV."

First off, GV will work with any phone out there, but with Sprint, Google has a deal worked out where calls forwarded to GV will not cost the usual call forwarding fee per minute; it's free conditional forwarding. The conditional part just refers to the fact that only missed calls are forwarded; "missed call" is the condition that triggers forwarding. The code is "*23" (I think, need to look it up.)

So GV can be used as a voice-mail replacement and Sprint supports this use of GV. The other way to use GV is as a replacement number for your mobile number, work number and house number. In this case you are supposed to tell all your friends your new GV phone number and then when they call your GV number it will ring all your other phones... if you do not pick up the caller will get your GV voice-mail. This works great if you want everyone that knows you to call you at the same number. GV also offers advanced filtering features to manage who can call you when, who goes straight to vm, etc.

GV is a GREAT free service and one day may/will be combined with Gizmo5 VoIP... these should work over many smartphones, but the EVO 4G with Android will be particularly well suited for both GV and Gizmo5 features because it is Android, and because it will support 4G data speeds (which is good for VoIP.)

Hope this helps.

 

[ImGreen]

Hey guys, I see a lot of people are looking to get invites to both of these things, but I don't know why. Can someone explain to me why these things are so great, especially when used with phones?

Where are there people asking for invites?

 

[droidtime]

Google voice sounds awesome. I remember hearing that you can use GV to get free text messages? Is this true--I bought a prepaid phone in order to wait for the Evo.

 

[Deleted User]

Google voice sounds awesome. I remember hearing that you can use GV to get free text messages? Is this true--I bought a prepaid phone in order to wait for the Evo.

Yes there is a way to send free sms with it because it uses data. On a prepaid phone though don't know if there would be a way to do it. Have to use the GV app or the GV site to send them that way.

 

[earldriscoll]

Properly configured, with Google Voice, Gizmo5, and Sipsorcery (a free site) it is possible to make and receive voice calls without a voice plan. You must have either a data plan or have WiFi access. A phone capable to make and receive free calls where WiFi is available is worth writing home about!

 

[tokuzumi]

^I'm with Earl. Once Gizmo5 gets integrated into Google Voice (which I'm assuming will happen), Google Voice will become a VoIP solution. I could be in Europe, near a wi-fi connection, and make/receive calls from my Google Voice number. No one would know I'm not in my home area.

 

[andiron]

I'm a pretty non-techy guy....and yet I'm frothing at the mouth just waiting to enter the smart phone world....jumping from a Katana to the EVO 4G. A friend just sent me an invite for Google Voice. So...I got to the screen where I choose whether I get a Google Voice number...or just use my current cell phone number. Man...I'm totally locked up on the decision...but leaning hard towards just keeping my current number. I don't know if I want to try and train all my friends and family to use a new number....and not sure I really need all the functionality of the full GV experience. With this said...am I on the right track? Will I be sorry either way? I really only get calls from a few friends and family. Occasionally I get calls from people for business reasons...like the guy that's going to paint my home for example. Any thoughts to help me make this decision? Thank you!

 

[Deleted User]

I'm a pretty non-techy guy....and yet I'm frothing at the mouth just waiting to enter the smart phone world....jumping from a Katana to the EVO 4G. A friend just sent me an invite for Google Voice. So...I got to the screen where I choose whether I get a Google Voice number...or just use my current cell phone number. Man...I'm totally locked up on the decision...but leaning hard towards just keeping my current number. I don't know if I want to try and train all my friends and family to use a new number....and not sure I really need all the functionality of the full GV experience. With this said...am I on the right track? Will I be sorry either way? I really only get calls from a few friends and family. Occasionally I get calls from people for business reasons...like the guy that's going to paint my home for example. Any thoughts to help me make this decision? Thank you!

Get a new number. Doesnt mean you have to use it but then you have it if you want to use it. You can still use the google voice voicemail with your current number. Chosing to keeping your current number just limits your options.

 

[andiron]

Get a new number. Doesnt mean you have to use it but then you have it if you want to use it. You can still use the google voice voicemail with your current number. Chosing to keeping your current number just limits your options.

Wow...so what you're telling me is....I have absolutely no change in functionality if I get a GV number? I can use the new number...or not...and if I choose not to use the new number my current number will function the same as if I didn't have a GV number....correct? Did I splain myself well enough? LOL I really appreciate this clarification. It will really help me to decide. Thanks!

 

[drexappeal]

LOL...Okay, I'm almost on information overload.

Since Jackson had mentioned Google Voice with the EVO, I've been trying to learn about this.

Just a very basic question, but if I sign up for Google Voice and decide to get a Google Voice number, does it give me some generic 888 number or is it specific to my area code?...LOL...Trying to wrap my head around how that works.

If so, I think it'll be great to have some generic phone number that I can actually use for my business purposes as my "cell phone."

 

[andiron]

LOL...Okay, I'm almost on information overload.

Since Jackson had mentioned Google Voice with the EVO, I've been trying to learn about this.

Just a very basic question, but if I sign up for Google Voice and decide to get a Google Voice number, does it give me some generic 888 number or is it specific to my area code?...LOL...Trying to wrap my head around how that works.

If so, I think it'll be great to have some generic phone number that I can actually use for my business purposes as my "cell phone."

Good question....I would like to know that one too! I was just about to pull the trigger on keeping my current number...so I'm waiting on a response...and then if I decide to get a new number I would also like to know if it's some weird number unassigned to an area code...or if we choose?

 

[alillowr]

It's been awhile since I have set my GV number up. If I remember right, you first choose what area code you want and then choose available numbers with that area code.

 

[Deleted User]

Wow...so what you're telling me is....I have absolutely no change in functionality if I get a GV number? I can use the new number...or not...and if I choose not to use the new number my current number will function the same as if I didn't have a GV number....correct? Did I splain myself well enough? LOL I really appreciate this clarification. It will really help me to decide. Thanks!

Yes correct, your GV number just forwards to your numbers anyway. If you chose to keep your current number you are just getting the voicemail functionality of GV which you get anyway if you pick a new number. But if you now just chose to keep your current number you do not get the option to get a number on the account in the future (maybe that will change).

So, I recommend getting a new number. You get to chose the number, it can be a local number to your or from wherever you chose out of their list of numbers. All that number does is forwards to your current number anyway, so you don't necessarily have to use it but its nice to have if you want to give someone a number without disclosing your own.

Basically, keeping your current number limits you to only certain features of google voice. Getting a new number gives you all the features of google voice but doesnt mean you have to use them all, just use the features you want. There are no features you get in addition if you chose to keep your number.

 

[andiron]

Yes correct, your GV number just forwards to your numbers anyway. If you chose to keep your current number you are just getting the voicemail functionality of GV which you get anyway if you pick a new number. But if you now just chose to keep your current number you do not get the option to get a number on the account in the future (maybe that will change).

So, I recommend getting a new number. You get to chose the number, it can be a local number to your or from wherever you chose out of their list of numbers. All that number does is forwards to your current number anyway, so you don't necessarily have to use it but its nice to have if you want to give someone a number without disclosing your own.

Basically, keeping your current number limits you to only certain features of google voice. Getting a new number gives you all the features of google voice but doesnt mean you have to use them all, just use the features you want. There are no features you get in addition if you chose to keep your number.

Awesome! You know...you wouldn't believe it...but an hour of searching on the internet did not give me that information. You rock! Thanks for the help!

 

[Deleted User]

Awesome! You know...you wouldn't believe it...but an hour of searching on the internet did not give me that information. You rock! Thanks for the help!

Glad I could help. I've been using GV for close to a year and it is a great tool. It does have it's issues now and then but it is free

Another use for the number as in my GFs case. All her family lives downstate so it is long distance to call here. She got a number from her family's area code so they now just call a local number to them and it rings our phones at home.

 

[drexappeal]

Glad I could help. I've been using GV for close to a year and it is a great tool. It does have it's issues now and then but it is free

Another use for the number as in my GFs case. All her family lives downstate so it is long distance to call here. She got a number from her family's area code so they now just call a local number to them and it rings our phones at home.

Really appreciate the info.

So, my next question is, if I already have 2 gmail accounts, do I need a separate invite for Google Voice?