Google Voice (2 Viewers)

[Please See Mine]

As a note, a month or so ago they made it possible to port your number in to gv.

Any downsides to porting your number to GV?

I can't think of any. I did it back in Feb and haven't looked back. Love GV.

I am on verizon, any idea if moving your number to GV would mean that my call to other verizon phones would not be free anymore?Oh and how is the texting? I heard it was troublesome and would not show pics.

Is Verizon porting your GV number now? I thought it was Sprint only for awhile.One of the best features of GV is the notification/inbox extension via Google Chrome. I have Chrome open all day at work, so if I get any txts or VM's, I'm notified and can read/listen and respond from my browser. The person receiving my txt gets it as a normal SMS message from my phone number. Google is supposedly working on MMS for GV, but it's not available yet. I have handcent on my phone as well, so I receive/send txts with images that route.

I was looking at signing up and it gave me the option of getting a new number (really dont want to explain to the wife why i need a google number) or i could port my regular number from my carrier to GV. I just do not want to lose my free verizon to verizon calls. Are the text messages pretty much instant?

Yes, but they can be delayed based on the network connection of your phone at a given time, since they rely on over-the-air networks rather than a dedicated SMS network (I think this is how native text applications work, anyway). Sometimes I can see them in my browser (as noted above, great feature) but they haven't shown up on my phone.

 

[Jaysus]

I want in on this, but am unsure where to start... just thought I'd share.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

I want in on this, but am unsure where to start... just thought I'd share.

Seems very easy. Just gotta find out about porting my number from verizon to GV and if i lose my free verizon to verizon calls.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Is there an A-Z for dummies tutorial guide for this?

J

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Is there an A-Z for dummies tutorial guide for this?

J

Been wondering about GV as well. Found this. I have not had a chance to check it out completely though.

 

[culdeus]

Been using my OBI110 to use GV as my home phone for several months now. Works basically flawlessly.

4

The OBI teams have some new hardware out now, but I haven't looked at it. The old hardware is in the <40 range now.

 

[BeTheMatch]

 

[BeTheMatch]

I just got a Google Voice number set up. The reason I got one is because I ditched my landline but I still have only limited minutes on my cell. So I didn't port my cell # in, I just created a new one. My question is this:

I understand that if someone calls my Google Voice # that my cell phone will ring too, but if I answer it on my cell (instead of my computer), will those minutes count against my cell account?

 

[BeTheMatch]

Or can I not answer calls with my computer? I just tried calling the Google Voice number from my cel phone and nothing showed up on my computer that a call was coming in. It only allowed me to leave a voice mail.

 

[Maelstrom]

Or can I not answer calls with my computer? I just tried calling the Google Voice number from my cel phone and nothing showed up on my computer that a call was coming in. It only allowed me to leave a voice mail.

Google Voice is not a replacement for a land line, although you can make calls with your computer I believe (through GMail.) Skype has a $3/month plan that allows computer to phone calls.

 

[corpcow]

I just got a Google Voice number set up. The reason I got one is because I ditched my landline but I still have only limited minutes on my cell. So I didn't port my cell # in, I just created a new one. My question is this:I understand that if someone calls my Google Voice # that my cell phone will ring too, but if I answer it on my cell (instead of my computer), will those minutes count against my cell account?

Yes, if you answer on your cell it's still cell minutes (it's just a call from Google Voice as opposed to directly from the caller). The main reason I use is being universally available and voicemail transcription. It rings all of my numbers, and then I get a text/email with the message, etc.

 

[culdeus]

Or can I not answer calls with my computer? I just tried calling the Google Voice number from my cel phone and nothing showed up on my computer that a call was coming in. It only allowed me to leave a voice mail.

Google Voice is not a replacement for a land line, although you can make calls with your computer I believe (through GMail.) Skype has a $3/month plan that allows computer to phone calls.

not sure I agree. I make calls on regular phones using GV daily.

 

[BoltBacker]

Is there an A-Z for dummies tutorial guide for this? J

You might check to see if your local library has this book...http://www.amazon.com/Google-Voice-Dummies-Bud-Smith/dp/0470546999... in my local library they carry just about every "xxxx for dummies" book you can think of. I suppose it may be different in each local library system but you may be able to get it sent from another branch even if your specific branch doesn't carry it.

 

[BoltBacker]

The main reason I use is being universally available and voicemail transcription. It rings all of my numbers, and then I get a text/email with the message, etc.

Same here. I loathe sifting through voice mail and that's a big enough feature by itself to use google voice to me. It's not all that accurate but most of the time you can get the gist of what the message is about at a quick glance.For whatever reason when I try to use google to make calls I have a problem with automated dial-pad entries... "press '1' for" type stuff. I use google voice as my phone #, receive voice mails, receive/send texts but I still use skype for calls.

 

[datonn]

I love Google Voice too! My only (major) problem is that it won't let me port my Verizon Wireless cell phone number to it. What I'd really like to do is have incoming calls ring both my cell and have the ability to answer the call via my computer. I'm attached to my computer probably 13-14 hours/day...and being able to click a button and have a "hands-free" conversation would be wonderful. I don't use my cell for texting or web/apps. It's basically just a phone and a voicemail account for me. So if I'm around my office, and that number could port directly into Google Voice? I'd be a happy camper.

I've gotten as far as checking my number's availability, and I can either sign up for Google Voice Lite (not sure what that is), and I get the following message related to porting:

Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.

- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

If anyone has any ideas or work-arounds, I'd be grateful.

 

[grateful zed]

I love Google Voice too! My only (major) problem is that it won't let me port my Verizon Wireless cell phone number to it. What I'd really like to do is have incoming calls ring both my cell and have the ability to answer the call via my computer. I'm attached to my computer probably 13-14 hours/day...and being able to click a button and have a "hands-free" conversation would be wonderful. I don't use my cell for texting or web/apps. It's basically just a phone and a voicemail account for me. So if I'm around my office, and that number could port directly into Google Voice? I'd be a happy camper.

I've gotten as far as checking my number's availability, and I can either sign up for Google Voice Lite (not sure what that is), and I get the following message related to porting:

Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.

- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

If anyone has any ideas or work-arounds, I'd be grateful.

let me get this straight, you are on the internet most of your waking hours and your hands are busy.not gunna ask ...

 

[datonn]

I love Google Voice too! My only (major) problem is that it won't let me port my Verizon Wireless cell phone number to it. What I'd really like to do is have incoming calls ring both my cell and have the ability to answer the call via my computer. I'm attached to my computer probably 13-14 hours/day...and being able to click a button and have a "hands-free" conversation would be wonderful. I don't use my cell for texting or web/apps. It's basically just a phone and a voicemail account for me. So if I'm around my office, and that number could port directly into Google Voice? I'd be a happy camper.

I've gotten as far as checking my number's availability, and I can either sign up for Google Voice Lite (not sure what that is), and I get the following message related to porting:

Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.

- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

If anyone has any ideas or work-arounds, I'd be grateful.

let me get this straight, you are on the internet most of your waking hours and your hands are busy.not gunna ask ...

LOL. Clicking a mouse...tens of thousands of times a day while I draw (maps), code (web development) and browse. Sadly, free online research on the lat/long of a lot of buildings and roads/trails/recreational areas isn't 1% as "stimulating" as the types of browsing you're implying...but maybe Google will eventually get high enough resolution satellite imagery to catch a few people sun-bathing in their backyards?! Probably just middle-aged, overweight men though...who wouldn't mind the attention, ha! :X

 

[Jaysus]

Sooo... are Google Voice users happy with how their service has been treating them so far?I have a GV number that I only use for certain things (and rarely use). I am thinking of actually porting my cell # to GV going forward.

 

[Dentist]

Sooo... are Google Voice users happy with how their service has been treating them so far?I have a GV number that I only use for certain things (and rarely use). I am thinking of actually porting my cell # to GV going forward.

didnt use at first. now with the spare phone app it is a great way to make wifi calls with my tablet. great international rates.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Sooo... are Google Voice users happy with how their service has been treating them so far?I have a GV number that I only use for certain things (and rarely use). I am thinking of actually porting my cell # to GV going forward.

The overseas calling rate is dirt cheap (2 cents a minute). I used it mostly for that alone.

 

[Jaysus]

Does anyone have multiple Google Voice numbers associated with multiple Gmail accounts?

 

[St. Louis Bob]

You guys all got naked ladies in France or something?

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

 

[Jaysus]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

I've got to think that there is a much freeer option than that

 

[Quez]

People should just ditch fax and go with scan. It seems like it's one of those outdated forms of technology that just won't go away, like hard disc media.

I got a Galaxy Note 2 in December and completely ditched my old number. I started using google voice on my HTC Evo and got sick of people having 2 numbers saved for me. Only downside is no picture text, but it doesn't bother me. Email should be for pics anyways.

 

[(HULK)]

Sooo... are Google Voice users happy with how their service has been treating them so far?I have a GV number that I only use for certain things (and rarely use). I am thinking of actually porting my cell # to GV going forward.

I ported my main number to GV a couple of years ago. Love it.

 

[Jaysus]

Sooo... are Google Voice users happy with how their service has been treating them so far?I have a GV number that I only use for certain things (and rarely use). I am thinking of actually porting my cell # to GV going forward.

I ported my main number to GV a couple of years ago. Love it.

I am going to port my main number (to secondary gmail account) any day now... I am hopeful to just use my original GV# as I currently do, and use my current cell phone number as my main GV # just on a separate account. I hope I will be able to manage them like that.

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

I've got to think that there is a much freeer option than that

Do tell!

 

[Keerock]

People should just ditch fax and go with scan. It seems like it's one of those outdated forms of technology that just won't go away, like hard disc media.

I completely agree... but there are die-hards out there that won't make the move. Sadly, many of them are my clients I have tried to point out the ease and benefits, but they refuse...

 

[Abraham]

Do calls made through GV go over data? So, could I conceivably have a phone with no sim card and as long as I'm connected to Wifi I could make GV calls?

 

[Keerock]

Do calls made through GV go over data? So, could I conceivably have a phone with no sim card and as long as I'm connected to Wifi I could make GV calls?

Absolutely... try it on an iPad or iTouch

 

[Uwe Blab]

Sure wish I could port my land line...love everything I read about a Google Voice>Obihai 2.0 gambit.

 

[Sarnoff]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

 

[Abraham]

Do calls made through GV go over data? So, could I conceivably have a phone with no sim card and as long as I'm connected to Wifi I could make GV calls?

Absolutely... try it on an iPad or iTouch

So why do some sites say you need Talkatone or GrooveIP installed as well? I'm tempted to get another phone but don't want to pay for a plan if I don't have to - just trying to see what my options are.

 

[Keerock]

Do calls made through GV go over data? So, could I conceivably have a phone with no sim card and as long as I'm connected to Wifi I could make GV calls?

Absolutely... try it on an iPad or iTouch

So why do some sites say you need Talkatone or GrooveIP installed as well? I'm tempted to get another phone but don't want to pay for a plan if I don't have to - just trying to see what my options are.

http://lifehacker.com/5776194/get-the-most-out-of-google-voice-on-your-iphone

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

There are ways to send and receive faxes using a browser (presumably including a mobile browser) and an internet connection. I think the complaint above is that Google Voice won't do it, so you need some other service like efax or whatever.

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

There are ways to send and receive faxes using a browser (presumably including a mobile browser) and an internet connection. I think the complaint above is that Google Voice won't do it, so you need some other service like efax or whatever.

 

[Jaysus]

Do calls made through GV go over data? So, could I conceivably have a phone with no sim card and as long as I'm connected to Wifi I could make GV calls?

Absolutely... try it on an iPad or iTouch

So why do some sites say you need Talkatone or GrooveIP installed as well? I'm tempted to get another phone but don't want to pay for a plan if I don't have to - just trying to see what my options are.

I am under the impression that, unless you specifically have VOIP setup, that GV still uses airtime.

 

[Keerock]

Do calls made through GV go over data? So, could I conceivably have a phone with no sim card and as long as I'm connected to Wifi I could make GV calls?

Absolutely... try it on an iPad or iTouch

So why do some sites say you need Talkatone or GrooveIP installed as well? I'm tempted to get another phone but don't want to pay for a plan if I don't have to - just trying to see what my options are.

I am under the impression that, unless you specifically have VOIP setup, that GV still uses airtime.

Yes... that seems to be the case. I assume this is what Talkatone does. This is what my son uses to call me from his iPad using his GV number.

 

[Sarnoff]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

There are ways to send and receive faxes using a browser (presumably including a mobile browser) and an internet connection. I think the complaint above is that Google Voice won't do it, so you need some other service like efax or whatever.

I get that. Just a side rant.Right now my GV rant is that you can't send or receive pictures or videos via MMS. Just text messaging.

 

[Quez]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

There are ways to send and receive faxes using a browser (presumably including a mobile browser) and an internet connection. I think the complaint above is that Google Voice won't do it, so you need some other service like efax or whatever.

I get that. Just a side rant.Right now my GV rant is that you can't send or receive pictures or videos via MMS. Just text messaging.

In a perfect world people would use email for pics and text for basic text messages. Since text preceded internet on cells we have all kind of grown a custom to using text for pics. Email is preferable because it saves them in the cloud and has superior search functionality.

 

[Sarnoff]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

There are ways to send and receive faxes using a browser (presumably including a mobile browser) and an internet connection. I think the complaint above is that Google Voice won't do it, so you need some other service like efax or whatever.

I get that. Just a side rant.Right now my GV rant is that you can't send or receive pictures or videos via MMS. Just text messaging.

In a perfect world people would use email for pics and text for basic text messages. Since text preceded internet on cells we have all kind of grown a custom to using text for pics. Email is preferable because it saves them in the cloud and has superior search functionality.

Sure, but the point of Google Voice is to be able to give out just one number & get everything through that. Now I have to give out an email address too, and link it to the phone, which then undoes some of the convenience of GV.

 

[Quez]

Yeah, if u just want to give out your phone number and need pics from people, then GV may not be for you.

It is syncd with your google axcount so I get emails when I have missed calls which is nice because sometimes I notice those before checking my phone when it is on silent.

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

I may try this over the weekend to see if it's decent...

 

[Please See Mine]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

There should be a way to send a fax with a cell phone. Seriously. Load a PDF on your phone, have it dial the fax line and transmit it. Why hasn't this been invented yet?

There are ways to send and receive faxes using a browser (presumably including a mobile browser) and an internet connection. I think the complaint above is that Google Voice won't do it, so you need some other service like efax or whatever.

I get that. Just a side rant.Right now my GV rant is that you can't send or receive pictures or videos via MMS. Just text messaging.

In a perfect world people would use email for pics and text for basic text messages. Since text preceded internet on cells we have all kind of grown a custom to using text for pics. Email is preferable because it saves them in the cloud and has superior search functionality.

Sure, but the point of Google Voice is to be able to give out just one number & get everything through that. Now I have to give out an email address too, and link it to the phone, which then undoes some of the convenience of GV.

Plus GV is saved in the cloud. One of my favorite things about it is being able to text from the computer or any phone.

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

I may try this over the weekend to see if it's decent...

If that doesn't work... may look into buying one of these: http://www.amazon.com/OBi100-Telephone-Adapter-Service-Bridge/dp/B004LO098O/ref=pd_sim_e_1

 

[Jaysus]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

I may try this over the weekend to see if it's decent...

If that doesn't work... may look into buying one of these: http://www.amazon.com/OBi100-Telephone-Adapter-Service-Bridge/dp/B004LO098O/ref=pd_sim_e_1

My guess is that as soon as you buy something Google Voice will update to include FAX services

 

[Keerock]

Really need GV to support fax. Would LOVE to ditch my fax land line. This would essentially put the eFaxes of the world out of business, but WDIC?

Thoughts on this?https://simonics.com/services/gvfax/

I may try this over the weekend to see if it's decent...

If that doesn't work... may look into buying one of these: http://www.amazon.com/OBi100-Telephone-Adapter-Service-Bridge/dp/B004LO098O/ref=pd_sim_e_1

My guess is that as soon as you buy something Google Voice will update to include FAX services

Been waiting years... I think they are taking pity on the eFax ilk 'cause I can't believe it would be that hard to implement.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I think I remember reading that Google has no plans to ever provide fax services, or telegrams, or pigeons.