Google voice for morons

[Teris]

I set up a google voice account today on my computer, which called my Inc. I set up my outgoing message, tried a test call and both my computer and phone received a message via Handcent and Gmail with the typed transcript (the gmail included the voice call to play back). Excellent, though I coukd do without it coming on Handcent if I'm already getting it via gmail.

Some questions:

1) What is the point of the google voice app on the android (as opposed to the way I set it up) if the emails come int to my google email with the transcript and voice recording already?

2) Is there something additional that the google voice app from the market does that I'm not currently getting?

3) I can't figure out how I can make calls without using my minutes. Can someone please explain to me how I go about setting that up? In particular, I'm going to Japan in June and want to be able to make calls back to the US inexpensively or for free.

4) How can I stop receiving the google voice messages in Handcent?

Thanks a lot!

 

[drhill]

You can look at your google voice inbox with the app.

 

[Deleted User]

You can also compose text messages that you send via your google voice number from the app. I believe these use data rather than a text, but you may want to verify that.

 

[Teris]

You can look at your google voice inbox with the app.

Will the app overwrite what's on my phone now? It asks me if I want to use google voice to make international calls or not when I add it to my phone. I don't even know what that means. Does that mean I'm using data and not minutes?

 

[drdoom]

You can also compose text messages that you send via your google voice number from the app. I believe these use data rather than a text, but you may want to verify that.

I can confirm that texts sent through google voice do count as data. I have texting blocked to my real number and use GV to send all of mine.

Will the app overwrite what's on my phone now? It asks me if I want to use google voice to make international calls or not when I add it to my phone. I don't even know what that means. Does that mean I'm using data and not minutes?

It won't overwrite anything. Don't worry about international calls unless you actually make them. You will have to buy credit through GV to use it anyway. You do not use data when making phone calls, it counts under your minutes. The best thing you can do is set your GV number as a friends and family if you have the option to. It will give you free outgoing calls if you do this.

 

[tudmf]

Excellent, though I coukd do without it coming on Handcent if I'm already getting it via gmail.

Some questions:

1) What is the point of the google voice app on the android (as opposed to the way I set it up) if the emails come int to my google email with the transcript and voice recording already?

Thanks a lot!

You can go into your google voice account settings and turn off SMS, and only receive the email. The app will walk you through setup again, but did not screw up any settings, I really like having the app and have it to quickly reference previous calls.

 

[Deleted User]

I don't receive emails or SMS notifying me of voicemail... the app does this in the notification bar if you tell it to under settings.

 

[jakewill]

I'm so proud.

http://androidforums.com/htc-incred...xts-visual-voicemail-calendar.html#post729598

 

[Teris]

I'm so proud.

http://androidforums.com/htc-incred...xts-visual-voicemail-calendar.html#post729598

Thanks, Jake. But now I'm confused. I downloaded the app and it gave me a second phone number through google. Which one am I supposed to use (or does it even matter)?

 

[Deleted User]

Thanks, Jake. But now I'm confused. I downloaded the app and it gave me a second phone number through google. Which one am I supposed to use (or does it even matter)?

Either. You now have two numbers. If you go into the google voice website, you can change your settings based on what you want to do with the number. You can have the second one forward to any or all phones you have, or just have it go to voicemail. You can also use it exclusively, occasionally, or never to make calls from your phone (you will still be docked minutes). Also, via the website or app, you can send/receive sms on that number.

Edit: Both numbers use the same voicemail inbox, which will show on your app.

 

[gnopgip]

You're better off using the Google phone number, at least if you plan to text exclusively through it. People will need to use that phone number when they text you, which allows you to cancel your text contract, like I did. You can still make/receive calls using either number though.

 

[rcicu]

you can use SIPDroid and Gizmo5 with Gvoice to make unlimited calls via 3G or WiFi....

 

[Teris]

you can use SIPDroid and Gizmo5 with Gvoice to make unlimited calls via 3G or WiFi....

Is this difficult to set up for a non-tech person? Can I use this to make calls from Japan to the US (I'm going there on vacation)?

 

[Teris]

You're better off using the Google phone number, at least if you plan to text exclusively through it. People will need to use that phone number when they text you, which allows you to cancel your text contract, like I did. You can still make/receive calls using either number though.

They're both google phone numbers. Do you mean the one I got from my computer versus the one from the Inc app?

 

[cth95mustang]

If anyone has any Google Voice invites, I would be very thankful for one. I sent my request to Google 7 months ago, and still haven't received it yet. Just PM me if you have one.

Thanks

Got one!

 

[gnopgip]

They're both google phone numbers. Do you mean the one I got from my computer versus the one from the Inc app?

You want to use the one that google issued you, not your voicemail number. If you login to Google voice, you'll see a number on the upper right part of the screen. That is your issued number, and will be the one you can text from, forward calls to, etc.

 

[alison03]

if I only mainly want to use Google Voice for the free texts, do I still need a new number? I only have 1 phone (no office or home phone, just my cell) so I worry that this is too much complication just to have free texts. I don't need to call internationally nor do I need free minutes since all of my friends/family are on Verizon (we use like 18 minutes a month on our 700 minute plan).

What do I need to do just to get the free texts? I've been reading up and have an invite waiting for me, but I'm so lost.

 

[drdoom]

You have to give out your Google voice number after you sign up. People will send text messages to it and they will be sent to your phone and counted as data.

 

[ghettosmurf60]

but how do you get google voice to stop forwarding the messages to your phone?

 

[gnopgip]

You can change the settings on the google voice website. Basically, you can delete the phone number association.

 

[azgunz]

pretty legit, cant wait to fully utilize GV

 

[pirate943]

where is google voice? installed it from the market and i cant find it!

 

[PossumK]

The app name is Voice.

 

[pirate943]

The app name is Voice.

cool, thanks man. but when i try and verify my number i get an error. i already set up a google voice account and can access it through the web and can acess the google voice mail on my phone, is there a reason that i shouldnt be able to verify my number through the app?

 

[Deleted User]

cool, thanks man. but when i try and verify my number i get an error. i already set up a google voice account and can access it through the web and can acess the google voice mail on my phone, is there a reason that i shouldnt be able to verify my number through the app?

Maybe make sure your cell number is associated with it through the web settings?