So confused about google voice!

[mills23]

Is making calls in the USA free or not? Do you have to have a special dialer?

 

[Jebus]

I have Google Voice, but I only use it for my voicemail of course.
But yes. I think it is free.

 

[skilaufen]

Is making calls in the USA free or not? Do you have to have a special dialer?

Making calls in the US is free though it will use your minutes when you are calling. It only requires you to have money in your account when you make an international call. It does not require a special dialer but works through an app you can download from the market.

The app will let you set it up to use GV for 1) All calls, 2) ask everytime you make a call, 3) never use it for calls, and 4) Use only for international calls.

If you use it for all calls then it will automatically route your call like normal without any noticable difference. If you use ask when making a call it will prompt you when you hit the green dial icon and ask "make call with google voice" or "without google voice". The SMS messaging is free. So no special dialer for phone calls.

On other thing is you need to dial the number with area code for GV to recognize it and operate. It does alot more also but this hopefully answers your questions.

 

[StrifeJester]

They are correct and also when you make a google voice call from the app watch as it dials, you should also be able to see it on your bill for the special number it dials. I have a friend at corporate and will ask him about it.

 

[skilaufen]

They are correct and also when you make a google voice call from the app watch as it dials, you should also be able to see it on your bill for the special number it dials. I have a friend at corporate and will ask him about it.

Exactly right. It will show at the top of the screen what access number you are calling and that you are calling with GV. That is why it is billed for minutes because it is making a call to that access number with your phone before routing it through Google's servers. There are no additional costs other than your normal minute usage.

 

[Highland Ranger]

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/74835-google-voice-pros-cons-costs-tips.html