Why do I want Google Voice??!!

[NightAngel79]

I signed up today, being that you no longer need an invite,

Its free now, no need for invites Google Voice Blog: Google Voice for everyone

 

[EvilPlots]

free texting, free texting, free texting.. need i say more?

Yeah, free texting as long as you don't mind getting your text messages hours after they were sent. I'm not sure if I'm the only one with this problem, but it isn't my phone. They take that long to even show up on the pc site for me... This sucks for me for a few reasons; my girlfriend is kinda needy and also my girlfriend is on AT&T and even though Verizon costs me $5 more a month than AT&T Verizon doesn't actually offer a true unlimited text package. On top of that, in my area, Verizon is garbage for service. If only I wore Ed Hardy and flat billed hats and liked iphones...

 

[bgrutter]

Yeah, free texting as long as you don't mind getting your text messages hours after they were sent. I'm not sure if I'm the only one with this problem, but it isn't my phone. They take that long to even show up on the pc site for me... This sucks for me for a few reasons; my girlfriend is kinda needy and also my girlfriend is on AT&T and even though Verizon costs me $5 more a month than AT&T Verizon doesn't actually offer a true unlimited text package. On top of that, in my area, Verizon is garbage for service. If only I wore Ed Hardy and flat billed hats and liked iphones...

Huh? My family plan of 4 people all have unlimited SMS/MMS to anyone. Is that something exclusive to Family Plans?

 

[r3d2]

is there a way to set up GV so that when I use it to text someone they see my name instead of just my GV number? How do people know who is texting them if they only see a number and not a name?

 

[Piiman]

For all those lauding free texts with GV...doesn't having a data plan for an android phone by default give you unlimited texts? I got unlimited texts with my Verizon data plan so don't see the big draw to GV for texts.

Being a college student, I got an invite but I doubt I will use it even though I like the idea of GV & am sure it would be seamless on my DInc. Buddy told me that on Verizon, the GV # is not in Verizon network so it counts against minutes when someone calls it.
I would use YouMail, but don't like the idea of ads and spam.

well my VW plan charges 10.00 for text. Not every one has a unlimited text plan. So that's 10.00 bucks saved.

 

[Marlboro]

I just started using Google Voice and im still trying to get a handle on it and figure out the best set up for me so I can make the best out of it. However, one major draw back is extensions. My office number requires and extension. And unfortunately, Googe Voice doesnt seem to support that. So that part is a big bummer for me right now.

Another thing is it looks like people have to give their name when calling you. I tried to call my new number and you have this recording asking for your name. Not sure I like that. Someone may call who knows me and get turned off by that or think they have a wrong number and hang up.

 

[bezerk19]

I just started using Google Voice and im still trying to get a handle on it and figure out the best set up for me so I can make the best out of it. However, one major draw back is extensions. My office number requires and extension. And unfortunately, Googe Voice doesnt seem to support that. So that part is a big bummer for me right now.

Another thing is it looks like people have to give their name when calling you. I tried to call my new number and you have this recording asking for your name. Not sure I like that. Someone may call who knows me and get turned off by that or think they have a wrong number and hang up.

From what I've experienced, I believe it only asks for their name if they don't appear in your contact list.

 

[jamor]

It can't verify my phone number - anyone else having this problem?

 

[bezerk19]

It can't verify my phone number - anyone else having this problem?

Not sure what you mean, are you talking about the initial setup? Did you already register with google voice? From what I've read its already available to everyone, no more invite needed.

 

[Marlboro]

It can't verify my phone number - anyone else having this problem?

I had a similar problem.

First, you have to get on the internet and pick a Google number. https://www.google.com/voice

Next, download the app. If youve already downloaded and installed the app on your phone and tried to do it before picking the number, uninstall and then reinstall.

 

[Marlboro]

The voice mail transcription needs some work. I called myself, left NO message yet it came up with this strange transcription:

Just a quick that one. So what. Cheers, press 2. Hello, Okay. But listen to your coming to present a check. Yeah, it's all open up what that is fault that one from the airport. Funny, Mr. xxxxx cost you know when this more experience in that. Yeah, just before. Okay 2 o'clock. Hey Mrs. Thanks a lot if you could com block, dot, com bye bye pre shift sheets.

 

[bezerk19]

The voice mail transcription needs some work. I called myself, left NO message yet it came up with this strange transcription:

Just a quick that one. So what. Cheers, press 2. Hello, Okay. But listen to your coming to present a check. Yeah, it's all open up what that is fault that one from the airport. Funny, Mr. xxxxx cost you know when this more experience in that. Yeah, just before. Okay 2 o'clock. Hey Mrs. Thanks a lot if you could com block, dot, com bye bye pre shift sheets.

Wow, that is a really strange transcription, could it be possible that the lines were crossed somewhere?? I've never had this happen to me. Then again i just started giving out my google number.

 

[Dsoto87]

I have a question.

Im on a family plan with the lowest amount of minutes possible. We never go over. We also have unlimited texting. Is google voice something I need?

 

[bezerk19]

I have a question.

Im on a family plan with the lowest amount of minutes possible. We never go over. We also have unlimited texting. Is google voice something I need?

Well if you are planning on saving money, Google voice really can't in my opinion, besides free texting. It uses your minutes, all its good for is for phone forwarding, you should check out the video at www.google.com/voice

Its really nice app but not really meant for a "money saver"

 

[izzy35]

Im on a family plan with the lowest amount of minutes possible. We never go over. We also have unlimited texting. Is google voice something I need?

Most ppl keep bragging about "free texting" but I'm not sure if it's "regional" or something, but here in NY, if I have unlimited data, i have unlimited text, so even the texting isn't a selling point for me. But I DID set up an account so that in the future if I need it, I'll have my nice number to use

 

[Clementine_3]

Most ppl keep bragging about "free texting" but I'm not sure if it's "regional" or something, but here in NY, if I have unlimited data, i have unlimited text, so even the texting isn't a selling point for me. But I DID set up an account so that in the future if I need it, I'll have my nice number to use

You are paying for your texts, it is not bundled with your data. You may have the 'talk & text' plan, but it's a plan and you are paying extra for it. Data is separate from voice minutes and texting and does not include anything other than data.

Mobile Service Plans: Verizon Wireless

Unless of course you have something that is no longer offered and you were never made to change...

 

[Aimy77]

Dilemma... So, I recently switched over to a google voice number. The hope was that I could ditch the text plan I'm currently on. Here's the problem...

If I give my google voice number to everyone, they start calling and texting to that number. That's fine, but I will DEFINITELY go over my minutes if I don't get free verizon-to-verizon anymore. BUT, if I don't give my google number to my verizon people, I can't ditch the text plan....

I mean, I could hypothetically give them two different phone numbers but that seems lame to me. Thoughts on how to get around this?

 

[kpantz]

So here's a question - does anyone have a GV number and still use the voicemail features they offer on your existing cell phone number? Can they co-exist? If so, would you have to dial two different access numbers to get your voicemail? When you set up voicemail only, they give you a standard number to dial to get your voicemail; if you've got a GV number, you call that one for voicemail. What if you want/need both? Would you have to be checking BOTH places for voicemail - one for folks who call your Google number and one for those who call your cell directly?

TIA!

 

[bezerk19]

Dilemma... So, I recently switched over to a google voice number. The hope was that I could ditch the text plan I'm currently on. Here's the problem...

If I give my google voice number to everyone, they start calling and texting to that number. That's fine, but I will DEFINITELY go over my minutes if I don't get free verizon-to-verizon anymore. BUT, if I don't give my google number to my verizon people, I can't ditch the text plan....

I mean, I could hypothetically give them two different phone numbers but that seems lame to me. Thoughts on how to get around this?

Have you thought about adding your GV number to friends and family? That will help keep you in the verizon to verizon "circle". The only other problem i see is perhaps in your plan you may not qualify for the friends and family.

 

[Piiman]

So here's a question - does anyone have a GV number and still use the voicemail features they offer on your existing cell phone number? Can they co-exist? If so, would you have to dial two different access numbers to get your voicemail? When you set up voicemail only, they give you a standard number to dial to get your voicemail; if you've got a GV number, you call that one for voicemail. What if you want/need both? Would you have to be checking BOTH places for voicemail - one for folks who call your Google number and one for those who call your cell directly?

TIA!

during setup GV ask you who your carrier is and they some how intercept your VM from the carrier. Don't ask me how. Once they do that you don't get VM from your carrier. At least I don't.

 

[porktorta]

If I make an outbound call using GV to a non GV number, am I using minutes from the VZW voice plan?

I know, you have to have credit in the GV account to make calls. Thx.

 

[bezerk19]

If I make an outbound call using GV to a non GV number, am I using minutes from the VZW voice plan?

I know, you have to have credit in the GV account to make calls. Thx.

From my understanding YES, you only need Google Voice credits when making international calls, and depending on what the rate is (say .5 per minute) that is when your credits come into play.

 

[bezerk19]

If I make an outbound call using GV to a non GV number, am I using minutes from the VZW voice plan?

I know, you have to have credit in the GV account to make calls. Thx.

If you really want to make it "Free" check this article out, it may have what you are looking for:

Unlimited Free Calling with Google Voice - Google Docs

 

[bezerk19]

If I make an outbound call using GV to a non GV number, am I using minutes from the VZW voice plan?

I know, you have to have credit in the GV account to make calls. Thx.

Oh I almost forgot, add your GV number to friends and family, apparently there is also a different number that is used when you dial out, you will see this (a popup with a different number than your GV number). Add both of these numbers to your friends and family and I believe that might help. Or at least that's what i've read.

 

[Aimy77]

@bezerk19, my plan doesn't qualify. I'm on the 450min individual plan.