Google Voice

[Ansextra]

My understanding is that the new version of Google Voice can choose random numbers to call. There's a fuller explanation here:
Google Voice updates for faster dialing with 'direct access numbers' | Android Central

 

[dangerous]

Quote from that link you posted. a pain but still works.:

The better way, which will still work JUST FYI, is to just add and dial your Google Voice number from a phone number associated with it. At the main menu, press 2, then dial the number you want to call. This way, you only ever have to add your own Google Voice number to your "A-List".

 

[Ansextra]

It's really an extra step. You need to call your google voice number, access your account, and then press 2. It's still a good way to use F&F though...

 

[droidx2010]

It involves changing the settings to make all voice mail and texts to go through the Google Voice interface. It is easier to follow this than explain it:

How to SMS with Google Voice from Any Mobile Phone

Thanks - but that wasn't very helpful. I'll keep looking.

 

[fish1552]

Thanks - but that wasn't very helpful. I'll keep looking.

It does leave a bit to be desired, but that was the best one I found. I couldn't find anything at the GV site, which is weird. People claim to be using it, but the only other thing I could find was other people asking and not getting a reply.
If you find something, let me know because I was thinking of trying it or setting it up for the kid.

 

[albert0306]

Quoted from another forum i posted at.


So I guess google voice is an application that you can dl on your android or iphone and get free text msg. Has anyone ever done this? Is it good? I've been really wanting to get a smartphone but with minutes, texting, and a data plan, the monthly bill discouraged me from not getting it. If I take out the texting than that significantly lowers the monthly bill, enough for me to consider getting a smartphone. And since the Droid X is only a penny, now should be the time to get a phone.

 

[harrellj]

I have Google Voice and yes, its an app for the phone but its also a website (and where you need to go initially to get the phone number). It does do texting for free, but only through its own app. Google Voice is primarily designed to handle voicemails and to be one phone number regardless of what phone is being used. Also, Google Voice does not support MMS, nor does it support those "text a phrase to a 5 digit number and get whatever" deals.

 

[albert0306]

Oh okay, so should i get a minute plan and the unlimited data plan and use google voice for texting? And when I give out my phone number should I just give out my google voice number for more convenience since they'll be able to call me also with the google voice number correct?

 

[bharrismac]

Oh okay, so should i get a minute plan and the unlimited data plan and use google voice for texting? And when I give out my phone number should I just give out my google voice number for more convenience since they'll be able to call me also with the google voice number correct?

I generally don't send mms messages and I just give out my Google voice number for texting and use Google voice to make all calls. It works pretty well and the texts are sent as part of the data plan.


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[albert0306]

oh okay, I think I'll get a Droid X with verizon wireless then. Is there a tutorial on how to set up your google voice to your phone so that when someone text you you get a notification and it doesn't charge you and when someone calls you it goes to your phone?

 

[bharrismac]

oh okay, I think I'll get a Droid X with verizon wireless then. Is there a tutorial on how to set up your google voice to your phone so that when someone text you you get a notification and it doesn't charge you and when someone calls you it goes to your phone?

After you set up your voicemail after first launch, just go to the settings (press menu and settings should be under more). That's where you'll find options for text notifications.

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[debracey]

Hello Folks,

Im trying to setup Google Voice on the droid pro ---- I set the GV app to "Use GV for all calls," but for some reason when I call using the dialer app the caller on the other end still sees my regular # (ie. not my GV #).

Has anyone else noticed this? Any fix for it?

Dan

 

[aDroidman]

I also have had trouble with this. It seems to work when im not in wifi. Also I had to manually select it every time from my contacts. Using the dialer app doesn't seem to work right with GV.

 

[debracey]

Well thats a bummer --- can anyone else confirm this?

Edit: It seems that you have to make calls from the contact list -- the dialer doesn't use your GV #. So it's better than nothing I guess

 

[takeshi]

So I guess google voice is an application that you can dl on your android or iphone and get free text msg.

It's quite a bit more than that but free text messaging is certainly a common reason for people to use GV. GV is really a service with an app. The app itself isn't sufficient for everything that GV does.

Has anyone ever done this? Is it good?

Yup. Define exactly what you mean by good. Good is really too subjective to mean anything out of context.

GV does occasionally have issues with timely delivery of SMS and voicemail notifications. You might want to at least read some of the GV threads here.

oh okay, I think I'll get a Droid X with verizon wireless then. Is there a tutorial on how to set up your google voice to your phone so that when someone text you you get a notification and it doesn't charge you and when someone calls you it goes to your phone?

The GV site will guide you through setup. There are guides and threads that you can search for if you want more resources. As for notifications, the app will notify you.

After you set up your voicemail after first launch, just go to the settings (press menu and settings should be under more). That's where you'll find options for text notifications.

Setting up text notifications is counter to what the OP is looking for. The OP is looking to avoid charges for text messaging. SMS notifications will incur charges if there is no text plan.