Google Voice - what is it & what does it do for me?

[xjman349]

xjman, can you explain this? Doesn't "hijacking" your VM with GV simply force your cell to forward a missed call to GV for receiving the VM? When a caller misses you at your cell number your cell phone no longer has a connection while they are leaving a VM, correct? So you shouldn't be charged minutes....or am I missing something?

It doesn't actually forward a missed call. What it does instead of forwarding to your Verizon Wireless Voicemail in the switch, its sent to another phone number. Meaning, technically after your phone rings for lets say 9 rings when your VM was going to pick up, what actually happens is your phone *connects* to your google voice number and the minute counter begins. We see the exact same thing happen all the time with forwarded numbers. Did you know if you forward your cell phone number to your home line, and someone calls your cell it counts as minutes when you answer it on your home line. Its the same principal. Your phone is still making a network connection and your phone is technically making that connection with google voice.

But if you add the google number to your circle, you're fine; correct?

Yes this is correct. You also can call during the nights and weekends.

 

[xjman349]

They were slow adding the numbers, and so it did look very misleading. I've been following since yesterday two particular calls I made at 8:42 and and 10:27. I followed it all day yesterday and this morning as well. Even though the update times were showing todays update neither one of those calls showed up as being charged against my Verizon account.

Until I just looked 5 minutes ago. Both calls were on there, identical number (not the number I called) and at the correct time.


I was wrong!!


And I admit it. It seems there is no way to make a free call without using the friends and family method. So I guess we can put that issue to bed now.

I apologize for the misinformation.

No apology necessary. It happens. When you check your unbilled call detail the actual numbers you call can take up to 5 days to show. When you dial #min to see where your at it is usually pretty accurate, however seeing the exact number you're calling is sometimes a bit delayed.

 

[Bull4595]

...is that it cost minutes when people leave a VM for you AND when you then check that VM, be it through the app or by calling? Can someone who uses GV in this way (GV VM on Verizon #) please clarify.

My understanding is that it consumes minutes while someone leaves you a message. If you call in for your voice messages it will also consume minutes (whether your use GV to call in, or simply dial your GV number from the standard dialer). If you use the GV app to check your VMs though, it will only use data. So when you read your transcripts or listen to the recordings from within the app, you're good.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for clarifying Fraxinus. Once again this forum comes through with the information when needed.

 

[nighthawk700]

I'm hoping to pick up a Droid this weekend. This thread was good info, as I currently use Google Voice. One question, related to GV, but on a slightly different track...

I currently have a gmail account, with my GV number and all. But when I get the Droid, I want to use a different gmail account (with a real name rather than a nickname). I can easily export my contact list from one account to the other. But if I set up the Droid with the new gmail account, can I still use the GV from the older gmail account? Or can the Droid only use the GV from the set gmail account?

At some point in the next few months, when I move, I'll get a new GV number for the new account, but plan to keep the old GV number with my old account (to forward calls to my new location.)

Hope my question is clear. If not, let me know and I'll try to break it down better.

Thanks.

 

[DJTURNz]

You can "register" any phone number within your GV account.

 

[DJTURNz]

Either I am not doing it right, or the Friends and Family 10 trick doesn't work. When I choose to use GV for a call, it dials a different number, not my GV number. The different number is the one that shows up on my account statement online.

 

[nighthawk700]

DJTURNz, did you call the other number directly with GV, or did you use the trick mentioned in post #54,

1. Call your google voice number
2. press '2'
3. dial the number you wish to connect to
4. google voice connects you to that number

If you call directly, the call goes to a Google Voice redirector line, THEN to the number you are trying to reach.

And I'm not sure what you mean when you say: You can "register" any phone number within your GV account.

I already have the GV account. I'm asking about using the GV Application on the Droid, can I use any Google/Google Voice account, or only the one that the Droid is registered with.

 

[gruve]

If anyone has an extra invite, I would like to use google voice. PM me and I will send my email address. Thanks! :heart::motdroidvert::greendroid:

 

[mrtrumpet]

I wrestled with the decision of whether to get a number or not too. But the only downside, I think, is that if you give the number to people then they may know and use it. Other than that it's no biggie, I think. Plus, if you get on early enough you get a selection of numbers and/or acronyms in your area or zip code to use. Nice if you have a business and can get something that works, like I was able to.

One correction. I don't think all international calls are .10 as someone said earlier. It goes by country. My son is in Germany and I can call him for .02 a minute, if I read the Google Voice long distance rates correctly. They vary country by country.

 

[splittyjon]

If anyone has an extra invite that would be greatly appreciated. splittyjon@gmail.com

thanks

 

[Mr Steve]

I currently have a gmail account, with my GV number and all. But when I get the Droid, I want to use a different gmail account (with a real name rather than a nickname). I can easily export my contact list from one account to the other. But if I set up the Droid with the new gmail account, can I still use the GV from the older gmail account? Or can the Droid only use the GV from the set gmail account?

I got an invite to GV from an account other than my main/real Gmail account (aka the one I set the phone up with). No problems with setting up GV with my Droid using the non-main email address. When setting up GV it doesn't ask for an email address, just a phone number to associate with it.

Works fine for me.

 

[JRFogarty]

When using GV to SMS, is there a way to turn off the auto-forwarding to my mobile number? Right now I am receiving two messages, one to GV and one to the Droid messaging app. I've tried doing it online but cannot figure it out.

 

[thebowers]

When using GV to SMS, is there a way to turn off the auto-forwarding to my mobile number? Right now I am receiving two messages, one to GV and one to the Droid messaging app. I've tried doing it online but cannot figure it out.

On GV go to settings, phones, edit button, and uncheck sms for this phone.

 

[krise11385]

Hey wats up all my fellow droid users lol ... I have been really tryn to get a google voice invite for wat seems like foreva . Could some one please send me one I would really appreciate it thanks

 

[JRFogarty]

When using GV to SMS, is there a way to turn off the auto-forwarding to my mobile number? Right now I am receiving two messages, one to GV and one to the Droid messaging app. I've tried doing it online but cannot figure it out.

On GV go to settings, phones, edit button, and uncheck sms for this phone.

Awesome! Thanks for the help. Sometimes it's the things right in front of you that are the hardest to find.