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I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
flameinthefire said:
I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
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yes, but no MMS support.
1. Download Google Voice app to Android Phone
2. Set up account/voicemail. Make sure to adjust your setting so that texts aren't forwarded to your actual phone
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!
all the texting is done within the actual Google Voice app as opposed to using the stock messaging app or an alternative like Handcent
^ pretty much nailed it. You can also send texts from your pc with GV.
Google Voice looks good on paper, but it's really not very reliable.
Texting works fine for the most part, but I've had delayed texts at times. You cannot text internationally. And surprisingly, the integration with Android is not great.
Also, Google Voice recently took one of my friend's numbers and gave to someone else.
It created a total mess for my friend, since she had been giving the GV number to everyone.
So, yeah it's free, but you will not get a very reliable service, and if you have a problem, Google will not respond.
I used Google Voice for about a year heavily, but am moving away from it now.
so with texting i will have to get a new number from google am i right?
flameinthefire said:
so with texting i will have to get a new number from google am i right?
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yes. but if google screws up, as they seem to do more than rarely, at some point someone else may be reading the texts meant for you.
MacGuy2006 said:
yes. but if google screws up, as they seem to do more than rarely, at some point someone else may be reading the texts meant for you.
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oh thats not good
I've been using Google Voice heavily for a few weeks now. It definitely has its problems. Voice quality, delayed sms, inaccurate vvm, complicated setup. It's all a bit beta-ish. I do like the capabilities when they work. I would suggest keep using it but not exclusively. Send in surveys to Google when offered. Also mark inaccurate vvm as "not helpful" and send those in to Google too. The more people use GV, the more apt Google is to improve it. If people stop using GV altogether, it will surely be canned.
"MacGuy" on here bashing a google product, shocker.
GV audio playback is low quality b/c it uses less bandwith/downloads faster. A necessary evil for having your VM sent to you via text I suppose.
The GV texting has never had an issue for me... i guess to each their own.
Stock SMS via carrier is easier, no doubt... but GV brings a lot to the table for the right price.
flameinthefire said:
I was wondering does google voice include free texting? And how does it work. If so i want to cancle my unlimited texting plan. Please give me some info
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Do a Google search for Google Voice. It tells you what the features are.
Sign up and try it. If you don't like it, don't use it. I've had it since last year and use it daily.
Give it a try!
s15274n said:
"MacGuy" on here bashing a google product, shocker.
...
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What is this supposed to mean? I use mostly Macs, true, because I like them. But my main HTPC is W7, and obviously my current cell phones are Androids. Just like my old, old phones were WM6, and before that Palms.
I've used GV for quite a while, and all I am saying is that it is unfit to be your main number, if you depend on your phone.
Call quality is marginal, and international call quality is less than marginal (yes, I actually have paid to use some GV features). Skype is much better for that, and it's often cheaper.
For texting it's fine, but at times I have experienced delivery delays, so if its important, I'd use the stock client (I have unlimited texting, so what's the point). International texting is not allowed anymore by Google.
I was all excited about GV a year ago, just like I was excited about Wave, but I am actually transitioning away from it now, because it's just not reliable.
Plus, as I said they can take your number away without warning, and without you being able to do anything about it.
Nothing to do with Macs. Just the facts....
my 2c...
GV is great, yea it's a bit beta-ish but for the functionality it can't be beat.
Not to mention free calls if you have a my circle plan, an older version of the GV app and set GV to show your number as caller id for inbound calls.
Free text, the delay is minumal and we get emails so lack of mms is a downside but I can live with it.
I do love GV and give that number out to everyone, I almost never give out my cell number unless I need some form of MMS sent to me (pictures, or some services need to send more than just text). I've rarely had issue, especially not delays, although I did have an entire day where I didn't get texts and was unable to send them. Still don't know what happened to all those texts. But call quality has been excellent on both my land/voip line and my cell going through GV. The voice call and call blocking features are worth it, too, and were the original reason I got the number 3 years ago. I certainly didn't plan on getting an Android phone back then, but the transition was great as I had started using more and more Google services.
Note that except for that one day, and probably 4-5 other days (out of over 1,000 days, and over 1600 text conversations) of minor delays, I've had zip for problems. No missed calls, and no missed texts. Highly recommended. But better integration would be nice (I just use the GV app for voicemail or to send an initial text when I don't have someone's "special" GV number).
Anyone here use it? Is it worth activating; does it drain battery significantly, etc.? (I know folks say Google Voice is better, but I'm not interested in handing out a new phone no., etc. Don't do much phoning, or need heavy features; just curious about the pre-installed VV app.) Thx.
You don't have to hand out a new number. What you do is set your phone to forward unanswered calls to your Google Voice number and then set your Google Voice number "Do Not Disturb."
That way, all unanswered call get forwarded to Google Voice which goes straight to Voice Mail. Google Voice notifies you immediately when they are done leaving their message. Cheers!
I've used T-mobiles voice mail services including visual voice mail. I have also used Google Voice. Personally I didn't like the Google voice experience.
Much happier using T-Mobile voice mail and visual voice mail through T-Mobile.
I use it, works great for me. Never tried the google voice method.
I have never really tried the visual voice mail through T-Mobile. What makes it different and don't they charge you extra for it?
kangxi said:
I have never really tried the visual voice mail through T-Mobile. What makes it different and don't they charge you extra for it?
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Visual voice mail is free with your data plan. However, if you have been a long time customer, it may not be provisioned on your account. So all you have to do is call them, tell them to please provision visual voice mail onto your account, it should be free, and then you can activate it via your phone app.
Only real difference, Google Voice will transcribe your voice mails. Besides that major difference, I found Google Voice to be unreliable and just not for me.
SamsungVibrant said:
Visual voice mail is free with your data plan. However, if you have been a long time customer, it may not be provisioned on your account. So all you have to do is call them, tell them to please provision visual voice mail onto your account, it should be free, and then you can activate it via your phone app.
Only real difference, Google Voice will transcribe your voice mails. Besides that major difference, I found Google Voice to be unreliable and just not for me.
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I see. Well have you tried any if the newer versions? They have done a lot to make it faster and big free.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Thanks to all for the replies/info...
I am using the visual voice mail and so far so good, it's free, so why not activating it?
I've been suing google voice for a while now. It works pretty good. Havent used vicual voiceail from t-mobile in a minute though. I think both work fine though, I'm just a google junkie
I found google voice is better.....for me. Just in case I don't feel my phone vibrate about a new voicemail. I also get email notifications, which is handy for me since I always use gmail notifications on my computers that I use.
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Sir Incognito said:
I've been suing google voice for a while now. It works pretty good. Havent used vicual voiceail from t-mobile in a minute though. I think both work fine though, I'm just a google junkie
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you might want to edit your post it says you have been suing google voice lol
I tried and use both. Visual vm has no negatives imo. Works wonderfully. GV transcripts are usually terrible-useless anyways. I only use google voice as a number on social networks and for texts when im in a bad reception area with wifi.
Plus it MAY not be free after the end of the year...
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I use both so.....
Tmobile vvm doesn't transcribe. They mean "visual" like you can see your vm details on the screen as opposed to calling in.
Its kinda stupid.
Google voice is nice as long as you have the right combo of app and dialer app. I place a widget from each app on the screen. I can see sms as they arrive. Automatically transcribes vm, not recommended if your callers tend to be mumblers or dRunks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I prefer visual voicemail over GV, if only cause there are too many hoops to make GV work well, and the transcription sucks in my opinion.
The only fail with T-Mobile Visual Voicemail is that it will not receive messages on WiFi, and where I live the 3g is non-existent at my house so I am always on WiFi, and if I get a voicemail I have to get of the wifi, download it and then I can switch back over.
Hope this helps.
ensonnosne said:
Tmobile vvm doesn't transcribe. They mean "visual" like you can see your vm details on the screen as opposed to calling in.
Its kinda stupid.
Google voice is nice as long as you have the right combo of app and dialer app. I place a widget from each app on the screen. I can see sms as they arrive. Automatically transcribes vm, not recommended if your callers tend to be mumblers or dRunks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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Google voice transcriptions are terrible. The widget only shows the last SMS, and callimg people with a Google voice number only causes confusion.
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ensonnosne said:
Tmobile vvm doesn't transcribe. They mean "visual" like you can see your vm details on the screen as opposed to calling in.
Its kinda stupid.
Google voice is nice as long as you have the right combo of app and dialer app. I place a widget from each app on the screen. I can see sms as they arrive. Automatically transcribes vm, not recommended if your callers tend to be mumblers or dRunks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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I like the visual because that way I can choose which message I want to listen to rather then start at message one
Ya like it too but they kinda do two different things.
And yes google voice is definitely not for you if it confuses the majority of your callers. Lol
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ensonnosne said:
Ya like it too but they kinda do two different things.
And yes google voice is definitely not for you if it confuses the majority of your callers. Lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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Some people have beyter things to do than worry about which number to call or sms. Can also make managing you sms a pain, since voice isn't intergrated into the stock messaging app.
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How many people actually use this app and is it really a good thing to use? Just wondering about it because I notice it's in most roms and launcher downloads. I've personally never tried it. What are the pros and cons?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
ive been using google voice for quite a while, both on my PC and on my phones.. works seemlessly with the SF..
its a matter of preference.. and convenience for me...i can call out using either my cell number or my google voice number.. voicemail is SO much better, and it not only translates to text, but at the bottom of the text there is a play button to hear it..
the only con i can report is that sometimes the text translation of the voicemail is a bit off..but you can still get a good idea of what the message is without actually having to listen to it..
im a huge google voice fan..
mrjake1970 said:
ive been using google voice for quite a while, both on my PC and on my phones.. works seemlessly with the SF..
its a matter of preference.. and convenience for me...i can call out using either my cell number or my google voice number.. voicemail is SO much better, and it not only translates to text, but at the bottom of the text there is a play button to hear it..
the only con i can report is that sometimes the text translation of the voicemail is a bit off..but you can still get a good idea of what the message is without actually having to listen to it..
im a huge google voice fan..
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Does it cost extra to use it?
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It's free to use, unlike Verizon's Visual Voicemail which costs X amount of dollars per month. I was skeptical of Google Voice at first but I've really liked it for the month or so I've used it.
bskidz79 said:
It's free to use, unlike Verizon's Visual Voicemail which costs X amount of dollars per month. I was skeptical of Google Voice at first but I've really liked it for the month or so I've used it.
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Thanks, I'll give it a try.
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I'm honestly not exaggerating when I say this: there are no cons to using Google Voice (I can't see how less-than-perfect voicemail transcription is a con since you don't get any voicemail transcription normally). Like Gmail, this is a service that's been universally lauded by the press and consumers alike for good reason.
BUT: it's not just an app on the phone that you run instead of Verizon's VVM app. It's a true telephony service, and if that sounds kind of complicated, well, in some ways it is, though Google makes it extremely easy to use (whether you just want to use it as a voicemail service, or to effectively replace your regular phone number(s) entirely).
Google has a great site that explains it all better than any of us can, so I'd suggest starting there:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
Or here if for whatever reason you can't watch the videos:
http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22635
I love my Google Voice. Best vm I've ever used
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The other part of the setup i have that i love is the seemless integration of computer and phone with bluetooth.
I spent about $80 on a blueant earpiece that allows multiple connections, and a $16 dongle from best buy for the computer.
When the phone rings, i can answer via the computer or the phone. I have had exactly 1 dropped call since i started using GV in July.
I was afraid of Google for the longest time because of privacy. Then i realized they know everything about me anyway from using search. Once i started trying more of their products i was hooked. Now i have everything Google on computer and obviously phone too.
My life is easier with the integration and they just plain have cool stuff Lol.
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I have used google voice since for 6 months. I started on my BB and now use it on my Fascinate. I have friends with regular phones that use it as well, all of which love it. I haven't heard of anyone complaining or going back.
Just so folks know, you can choose to only use the Voicemail portion of Google Voice. You do not have to use it to make or receive calls...
the problem I had with google voice is it wanted to take over my entire phone. their forums you're pretty much worthless. Is there a link with good setup instructions?
There is only one downside I see to Google Voice and that's the fact that it can't send or receive MMS. Is it a big deal? Not unless you exclusively use your Google voice number to call and text people.
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gv is a great product
i have my voicemails sent to my gmail account as txt
when at work my phone is on silent but I get all my personal messages
Google Voice, the entire service, is unfortnent as you must use a different number than your cell number (which if youve had for 5 years is... bad).
You CAN however use GV for voicemail with your current number, which lets you have the free visual voice mail/speech to text translations without needing a new number.
Adding your Google Voice number as one of your Friends & Family numbers equals free calls.
I love using GV for free texting. I've had my number for a few years. Worked great on AT&T/Blackberry Bold.
But with Verizon/FV I've noticed when receiving call or placing call with my GV#, there seems to be a 1/2 second delay when talking. Really started to annoy me, felt like a overseas call, so I stopped using my GV# as my everyday phone #.
Crashspeeder said:
There is only one downside I see to Google Voice and that's the fact that it can't send or receive MMS. Is it a big deal? Not unless you exclusively use your Google voice number to call and text people.
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yeah, if they get mms working, I'm dumping my texting plan.
spotmark said:
Adding your Google Voice number as one of your Friends & Family numbers equals free calls.
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Only if you actually dial your gv number and then enter the number you want to call. If you use the app, it dials another number that changes periodically. And you only get free incoming if you disable caller id pass-through.
Just jumped on the GV bandwagon after reading this thread. I've made a few calls with my sweet new Beverly Hills number. I'm sure i'll think of creative ways to use it. VVM will likely be its primary function, though. It's my understanding that GV uses your data connection for calls, correct?
PJnc284 said:
Only if you actually dial your gv number and then enter the number you want to call. If you use the app, it dials another number that changes periodically. And you only get free incoming if you disable caller id pass-through.
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Correct. The way I do it is, I access GV using my phone's browser, then I dial a number through that. It will ring my cell phone using my GV number, and then connect me to the person I'm calling.
can i use google voice on wifi.. ive tried but it just says dialing??? and how do i geta google voice number.. i have the app.. but it asks for my goolge voice number so i just type in my vzw number and i cant call
I know this is a trivial question, but I've never bought an unlocked phone and was just thinking....What voicemail app to these phones come with?
Since I'll be using it on At&t, will I be able to download the At&t VVM app....... Or will I need to use the, dying, Google Voice? Or will it have a built in Voicemail app?
Like I said, very minor question, but one I wonder about?
tele_jas said:
I know this is a trivial question, but I've never bought an unlocked phone and was just thinking....What voicemail app to these phones come with?
Since I'll be using it on At&t, will I be able to download the At&t VVM app....... Or will I need to use the, dying, Google Voice? Or will it have a built in Voicemail app?
Like I said, very minor question, but one I wonder about?
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My assumption is that you will use the voicemail of whatever service you activate it on. From there, you can dial in to listen to your voicemails or download the carrier's app to visually access it.
I still use Google Voice.
Bwangster12 said:
My assumption is that you will use the voicemail of whatever service you activate it on. From there, you can dial in to listen to your voicemails or download the carrier's app to visually access it.
I still use Google Voice.
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I like Google Voice, but it didn't play well with my M9 and the VoLTE in my area.... So I had to use the At&t VVM app.
I'll probably just switch back to GV.
tele_jas said:
I like Google Voice, but it didn't play well with my M9 and the VoLTE in my area.... So I had to use the At&t VVM app.
I'll probably just switch back to GV.
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I use and love Google Voice. Voicemails are built into my dialer, and I don't have to deal with the bull of calling a number and entering in my pin and whatnot. Plus I get an email when I get a voicemail, and a text with a decent transcription.
chris23445 said:
I use and love Google Voice. Voicemails are built into my dialer, and I don't have to deal with the bull of calling a number and entering in my pin and whatnot. Plus I get an email when I get a voicemail, and a text with a decent transcription.
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I used Google Voice since 2012 up until last month... It's always been my favorite for those reasons as well. So I'll probably go back to it.... But I did read somewhere that it was probably not going to be supported/updated for too much longer... Or may completely be integrated with Hangouts.
tele_jas said:
I used Google Voice since 2012 up until last month... It's always been my favorite for those reasons as well. So I'll probably go back to it.... But I did read somewhere that it was probably not going to be supported/updated for too much longer... Or may completely be integrated with Hangouts.
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I'd say if you like it, keep using it until we can't use it any longer! I would think if they remove Google Voice support that Hangouts would be integrated with the dialer just as well. That would be my hope at least.
tele_jas said:
I know this is a trivial question, but I've never bought an unlocked phone and was just thinking....What voicemail app to these phones come with?
Since I'll be using it on At&t, will I be able to download the At&t VVM app....... Or will I need to use the, dying, Google Voice? Or will it have a built in Voicemail app?
Like I said, very minor question, but one I wonder about?
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Yes, you can download the AT&T VVM app from the play store and it will function properly. I have done the same for the Moto G with no problems. I have been using the Unlocked Moto G and AT&T VVM all week.
Google Voice, FTW. I even use it with an Obi device for my home phone. Haven't had a a home phone bill in five years.
In my experience with an unlocked Z3 on AT&T, AT&T's voicemail will automatically take pretty much everything. I tried to setup with my Google Voice Voicemail but it never seemed to work correctly. I am hoping the Moto X Pure, being an American device wheres my Z3 was imported, will play nicer with my preferences.
I'm missing voicemails. What app are you guys using to check and get VM? I pay 2.99 a month for VVM and can't get it working
Google Voice. Visual voicemail absolutely free.
I use YouMail. Custom greetings per caller. Had it for many years.
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Would still prefer to use that old VVM app... Used it fine on Moto x pure
Any trouble migrating?
spotmark said:
Google Voice. Visual voicemail absolutely free.
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I am coming from a nexus5x and used google voice. For some reason it isn't working now. Same #.
Update: Resubmitted the forwarding requests and things are working. Might have been due to the switch to HD voice with this phone.
dpackerz said:
I use YouMail. Custom greetings per caller. Had it for many years.
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This! I have TMobile and VM is free, but if I didn't have it, I'd use YouMail. It's awesome, I used it when I had Verizon.
I've had YouMail since 2008. Elbert Fudd reads porn is my favorite greeting to use. Just have to be careful who gets that one. I pay $5/month so I don't have to delete calls (well, up to 1,000 now).
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I am on Oreo Beta 1 and when I set it up last week no Verizon Visual Voicemail. I went into phone dialer, accidentally hit the voicemail tab and was was asked to agree to Verizon's terms for voicemail. I disabled my forwarding to Google voice and tried leaving myself a message through Verizon. It worked. Phone version is 14.0.176716531.
Native vvm working on Verizon for me. Make sure it's on your account too...