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Quick ?s about international travel w/ VZW GNex
So I'm going to Italy in a few months and I'm wondering to what extent I will be able to use my Galaxy Nexus. I don't remember seeing anything about it being a world phone so I'm assuming its not.
My main question is, is it possible to send and receive texts over wifi using your vzw phone number?
Also, any recommendations about using a GNex out of the country in general?
Thanks
Edit: this thread should have a support prefix, sorry
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Last edited by rexdog1888; March 3rd, 2012 at 01:21 AM.
Sorry, Italy is GSM only- no cdma phone or texts. Best bet is wifi... email, chat, IM, skype, fring, etc. I'm not sure if any 3rd party text apps can use wifi or not.
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as above stated it will only work in CDMA areas. Even then you wouldn't want to pay the VZW prices.
Currently i'm in South Korea. I keep mine in airplane mode/turn off all auto data syncing/ and use wifi. I sync individual apps when needed. for messaging an im service works best over wifi "google talk" works great. Skype works great as well. Also Viber will give you calls over wifi both people have to have it installed.
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Technically google voice will be able to at least make calls and texts over wifi. I don't think it will make a difference if you're out of the country. If this holds true, the only obstacle would be locating an open wifi for this.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sequre
Technically google voice will be able to at least make calls and texts over wifi. I don't think it will make a difference if you're out of the country. If this holds true, the only obstacle would be locating an open wifi for this.
Can you configure google voice to work with your current phone number or does it give you a new one to use with it?
You'll have a new one when you sign up for GV. When you make calls, it will ask you which one you would like to make the call with. Will also receive calls as normal.
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You've really got quite a few options on this. Google Voice and Skype are good options if you have wifi and the person you're talking to is connected through a phone call. With Google Voice, you get a free phone number in the area code of your choice. I think if you got a Skype number (with subscription), then they would just able to call that number, as well. And it looks like you can send texts through Skype over wifi.
Another option is to buy a cheap cell phone at the airport (or get one that is unlocked and the right frequencies stateside) and get a prepaid SIM at the airport or a store. Then you set up your Google Voice number to forward to your Skype number, and that one to forward to your prepaid Italy number. Unfortunately, GV won't forward to int'l numbers right now. Some people have gotten something called Gizmo to forward it, also.
For outbound calls, you can call a local Skype number, then have it forward to the number you want to call, and it uses your Skype minutes credit.
I haven't been abroad since 2006. At the time, I just used Skype credit to make outbound calls through my computer. It would show up as a weird, long number on their end. If I were going now, I think I'd just bring my smartphone for data-based communication over wifi; and a cheap cell phone with a good battery life-- and just carry both of them all the time.
Here's an article from 2010 that I think still applies to now.
With respect to the GV portion of this thread, you can install GV on your phone, and you can use GV to make calls, but GV will use your phones mobile network to actually place the call. Even if you were in the States, you couldn't set your phone to Airplane Mode, turn on WiFi and attempt a call on GV. Once the call is placed, GV will make it so that the other person sees your GV number, but you still need access to a network provider.
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Zetroc is correct. GV cannot make calls without a cellular connection- and it will use cellular minutes. It can however, be used to send text messages. It can only make calls over wifi when using a third party SIP provider like Gizmo.
An interesting option using Wifi would be to try one of the "walkie talkie" like apps if the parties you are calling are also using Smartphones. I like Tikl, but there are others.
in Italy you'll want a pay as you go phone anyway. cheaper and easier.
even a global nexus wouldn't get data in Italy unless you are willing to pay a fortune.
I've been to Italy.. have an apartment..
and even with a GSM nexus I would rather pick up a pay as you go from a local shop.
u can use wifi on ur nexus anyway.
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I've used Skype via WiFi frequently and it works great. Buy Skype "minutes" before you leave. I don't have anyway to directly receive calls (other than Skype but few people have that number) so I just check my regular voice mail frequently via Skype and call them back.
What I'd love to have is European GSM smartphone. Can you get those prepaid over there? I'd love to be able to use "Maps", etc.
Zetroc is correct. GV cannot make calls without a cellular connection- and it will use cellular minutes. It can however, be used to send text messages. It can only make calls over wifi when using a third party SIP provider like Gizmo.
An interesting option using Wifi would be to try one of the "walkie talkie" like apps if the parties you are calling are also using Smartphones. I like Tikl, but there are others.
Agreed. I realized this when I attempted to make a call from a spare android device over wifi.
I just started using Tango. It does video and voice calls over data. So it's good for wifi. It uses your phone number as your username more or less, so you don't have to ask and add someone's username-- rather, it looks at your contacts list and anyone in it that uses Tango will be added as a contact in Tango.
It works on Android, iOS, WinPC, and WinPhone. But you have to register a number to it. Obviously if you're using it on your phone, use that number. But if you also use it on a tablet, I'm not sure if you have to use a separate number or not. If so, a GV number should work.
So if most of the people you want to talk to are on an Android or iPhone, and you'll have wifi access some, this is a good option. And I know that a lot of military families use it, so it definitely works outside of the US.
The Galaxy Nexus is the third official phone contracted by Google and the first phone to come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Specs include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16/32GB of internal storage, a 4.65 inch 720p HD Super AMOLED... Read More
Quick ?s about international travel w/ VZW GNex
