Loophole to get more minutes on Virgin Mobile

Just a guess, but the minute counter showing on the phone and the one running in VM's computer may not be in sync. What that would mean is that even though your phone shows, say, 3 minutes used, you may have used up all your minutes for the month. Not a real problem if that's the case, since you're not stealing anything - until the moment when you absolutely positively MUST make this phone call - and you're out of minutes without knowing it.

 

I noticed the same thing a few months ago with a replacement.I thought maybe it was just a glitch at time, but I was able to use way more than my allotted minutes used each time that it happened. I've upgraded my plan to unlimited and am still seeing 0 minutes used, but I'm not sure if it does that are not with the unlimited plans as well...

 

I typically use WiFi calling via Google Voice on my VM Android when I'm at home or in the office. On the road, I typically use Cellular, unless I have a very good 3G signature, and then I use Google Voice as well. Most Google Voice Apps allow 3G or better calling on Google Voice if you purchase the app. Free apps only do WiFi. So my 300 airtime minutes are usually plenty.

 

On May 15, 2014 Google will no longer allow XMPP-based calling through Google Voice. After that date, most--if not all--of those WiFi/3G/4G calling apps will no longer make calls through Google Voice. There may be alternatives but it's unclear at this time. FYI.

 

Much too long, much too much conflicting information, but if I read it right, half my reason for GV is going to be gone. I use it as a local inbound number and, in the rare case that I'd prefer a local outbound number, I use GV to place the call (just to spoof the CID). As I read that thread, the second way is going away, So I'll have to see if my VoIP provider allows outgoing CID spoofing, and if I can access if from my cellphone without buying their app (which does a lot of things I have no use for).

 

The long and the short of it is that Android will no longer support voice over the internet come May 14, 2014. This is not fresh news, but will probably come to a surprise to most Groove IP users on May 15. My guess is most users of this type of VoIP service are the only reason they signed up for Google Voice in the first place.

It will be interesting to see whether or not if Google has planned any expansion of services for Google Voice to make it more useful.

I use Groove IP as a backup in case I should use up monthly minutes, not a as first option for phone calls, so I will not really miss it. But I am sorry to see the feature go away.

 

Actually, Google did state they plan to offer VoIP through Hangouts and Google Voice, and that functionality is currently working on iPhones. My guess is that they have the functionality ready to be added to the Android Hangouts app, though they are likely waiting until closer to the May 14 date to implement it.

 

Thank you for the update on that. I could not find anything about Google's plans.

Do you think they going to eventually charge for the service?

(BTW - I think "Hangouts" is a TERRIBLE name for this app / service.)