Google Voice Update - Faster Dialing

[lexluthor]

Looks like there's a GV update just released.

Read their blog post about it here.

Google Voice Blog: Faster dialing with Google Voice on Android and Blackberry devices

Is this going to be a problem for people who have plans that allow "free" calling to a set list of numbers?

 

[Bing]

Sort of. Here's an explanation of the problems with this upgrade:

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ndroid-phone-do-not-upgrade-google-voice.html

I won't be upgrading until this is resolved. I at least want unlimited calling with my family and friends who HAVE Verizon. Upgrading for slightly faster dialing isn't worth it to me.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Sort of. Here's an explanation of the problems with this upgrade.

I won't be upgrading until this is resolved. I at least want unlimited calling with my family and friends who HAVE Verizon. Upgrading for slightly faster dialing isn't worth it to me.

I don't see any problems you listed there. Getting unlimited calling to other people on the Verizon network is a Verizon issue, not Google. Google has no say on what policies Verizon puts in place.

 

[ArXane]

Upgrading will screw up the free calling with Google Voice. The way I had mine was I added the number GV dialed out as a F&F number. Now the number is always changing when I dial a different contact. I will be putting back on the old version of GV.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

I don't see any problems you listed there. Getting unlimited calling to other people on the Verizon network is a Verizon issue, not Google. Google has no say on what policies Verizon puts in place.

I think this is the thread Bing was trying to link to: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ndroid-phone-do-not-upgrade-google-voice.html

 

[Wooby]

Is there a way to block an app from being updated? I'm not worried about myself, but I'm worried my wife will update it by accident.

 

[Bing]

I think this is the thread Bing was trying to link to: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ndroid-phone-do-not-upgrade-google-voice.html

Yes it was, thanks for that (I updated my post accordingly).

Is there a way to block an app from being updated? I'm not worried about myself, but I'm worried my wife will update it by accident.

There is in Froyo... but unless you have a Nexus One, you're probably waiting a little while for it. I'm hoping the Incredible update comes in the next week or two -- a few other apps have had bad upgrades recently too (Shazam, RockPlayer) and I'd like to block them from updating. I'm surprised (and disappointed) to see Google overlook this problematic change in their app though.

 

[Travisimo]

Yes it was, thanks for that (I updated my post accordingly).



There is in Froyo... but unless you have a Nexus One, you're probably waiting a little while for it. I'm hoping the Incredible update comes in the next week or two -- a few other apps have had bad upgrades recently too (Shazam, RockPlayer) and I'd like to block them from updating. I'm surprised (and disappointed) to see Google overlook this problematic change in their app though.

.... unless Google was pressured by the carriers to do this? I mean, the carriers certainly must not like the ability for us to make unlimited calls using Google Voice if we put the Google Voice server number on our Friends & Family list, right? Of course, you have to have a plan that has Friends & Family, which is not the cheapest plan anyway.

This really stinks. So basically, it sets up a unique phone number to call out for every contact you call? So basically, if you upgrade Google Voice, not only can you not make in-network calls (mobile to mobile on VZW), for example, but now you cannot even add the Google server number and use that?

If that's the case, then using Google Voice becomes MORE expensive to use than just using your regular carrier number without GV.

 

[A.Nonymous]

There is in Froyo... but unless you have a Nexus One, you're probably waiting a little while for it. I'm hoping the Incredible update comes in the next week or two -- a few other apps have had bad upgrades recently too (Shazam, RockPlayer) and I'd like to block them from updating. I'm surprised (and disappointed) to see Google overlook this problematic change in their app though.

I accidentally upgraded before I realized this. Now I have to track down the apk for the old version. Good times.

I'd love to be able to block updates. There's an app I use all the time that has recently added an update. The update includes ads. It pisses me off. The version I've got is free and has no ads. Now they want to include ads in their app. Well, you should've done that originally when you wrote the thing. If I had downloaded it originally with ads that's fine, but it's BS to add them later on.

 

[Travisimo]

I accidentally upgraded before I realized this. Now I have to track down the apk for the old version. Good times.

Someone is hosting the old version in the thread at Google via Dropbox.

new version of voice institutes 'direct access numbers'. can i turn this 'feature' off? - Google Voice Help

Here's a direct link, though I cannot vouch for its authenticity:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6035817/com.google.android.apps.googlevoice-1.apk

 

[Hoof]

Well I for one am not using the 'unlimited calling' hack so I welcome this new speed upgrade

 

[Tre Lawrence]

I don't use the built in GV app for call-outs at all. Like Bing pointed out, a bit longer (I use another app to call-out), but apart from that, it is seamless.

I don't like the ring in method of initiating the call, but it gets the job (free calls in and out) done.

 

[Travisimo]

Well I for one am not using the 'unlimited calling' hack so I welcome this new speed upgrade

There's no "hack" involved. It was as simple as adding the GV outgoing number to your Friends & Family list. So tell us, how do YOU use Google Voice? Do you use it for all outgoing calls? You realize that you do not get free mobile to mobile calls if you use your Google Voice number because the direct access numbers are "out of network". And now you cannot even add the GV outgoing number to F&M. So every call you make using Google Voice will use minutes, even if you're calling someone else on Verizon (or whatever network you're on).

 

[ArXane]

I don't use the built in GV app for call-outs at all. Like Bing pointed out, a bit longer (I use another app to call-out), but apart from that, it is seamless.

I don't like the ring in method of initiating the call, but it gets the job (free calls in and out) done.

What other app is that?

 

[Bing]

There's no "hack" involved. It was as simple as adding the GV outgoing number to your Friends & Family list. So tell us, how do YOU use Google Voice? Do you use it for all outgoing calls? You realize that you do not get free mobile to mobile calls if you use your Google Voice number because the direct access numbers are "out of network". And now you cannot even add the GV outgoing number to F&M. So every call you make using Google Voice will use minutes, even if you're calling someone else on Verizon (or whatever network you're on).

He means it as a "social hack" rather than a "technical hack".

To answer your question: there is the option of installing a "ring back" application on Android. When you place a call it intercepts it (before actually starting the call and costing you minutes), uses data to ping the Google Voice system, and has Google Voice call your cell phone (meaning your caller ID shows your Google Voice number). That gives you free "outbound" calling (by making them all technically inbound calls).

Then you can go into Google Voice settings and change all your (truly) inbound calls to display your caller ID. (If you want to know who is calling you, you can still have Google Voice screen your calls. Again, this is in the Google Voice settings.) This would give you free inbound calls.

Personally, I don't like either of those methods, so I don't use them. But they do work, if you really want unlimited calling, already updated and don't have the old .apk to roll back to.

 

[UncleMike]

Is there a way to block an app from being updated? I'm not worried about myself, but I'm worried my wife will update it by accident.

I recall reading somewhere that if you "side-load" an app it won't update because it wasn't installed via the Market.

If you still have the old version installed, you should be able to back it up using something like Astro, and then remove the app, and re-install from the backup, in order to get the same effect. If you you've already upgraded, you'll have to download the APK to your memory card from somewhere (there's a link above) and install it from there.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

What other app is that?

I use an app called GVcallback. It is freeware.

Bing describes how it (and other programs like it) works.

 

[Clementine_3]

+1 for GV Callback.
It's sort of a pain to answer your phone to make a call but since it is using your GV number that is all you have to add to F&F, just one number. If you are going to update the GV app and still want free calls in and out then GV Callback is the answer. There are other apps that do the same thing, but I've only used GV Callback.

 

[ArXane]

I use an app called GVcallback. It is freeware.

Bing describes how it (and other programs like it) works.

Strange, wont let me login to it.

 

[stainlessray]

I accidentally upgraded before I realized this. Now I have to track down the apk for the old version. Good times.

I'd love to be able to block updates. There's an app I use all the time that has recently added an update. The update includes ads. It pisses me off. The version I've got is free and has no ads. Now they want to include ads in their app. Well, you should've done that originally when you wrote the thing. If I had downloaded it originally with ads that's fine, but it's BS to add them later on.

I was told that if you back up with astro, you can uninstall the new version and re-install the old one from SD, is this false?

ooops typed this in haste... just realized the thread migrated to the topic sorry.

 

[A.Nonymous]

I found the previous apk and got some hot back rev action going on. Everything is right with the world once more.