Android + Google Voice = Heaven
I have been a Google Voice user back when it was Grand Central, although I didn’t use it much as Grand Central because of the stupid call announcement. Really, that is what Caller ID is for. Google buys Grand Central, and shortly afterwards – allows you to turn the feature off, or turn it on selectively. Then they rolled out with an application for Blackberry, and a mobile WAP site for cell phones. And of course with the application roll out comes one for their own phone OS – Android.
I never gave anyone my private cell phone. When I had Vonage + AT&T, I simply gave people the Vonage number, and it rang both the home, and the cell phone. When I left the stupidity of AT&T, and went to T-Mobile, I bought my Blackberry, and eventually gave people the cell phone number only because of UMA, but people got stupid, and some people I didn’t want to talk to.
I eventually made full use of Google Voice, and started to give people that number, and eventually changed my cell phone number. I did some other things, but wouldn’t get into that. Eventually, everyone ended up with one phone number, and that was my Google Voice number.
However, on a Blackberry – the Google Voice app was tedious. If you blocked you number, and used the Google Voice dialer to make a call, it almost always defeats the purpose. The CID unit on the other side would see private. The only way to get around that and keep your cell phone number private was to go to Call Log > Menu Select – Options and eventually allow your number to show. Make your call through Google Voice, and go back to block your number again.
Now when I went and bought my Android phone, I bought it for 3G, and GPS. I completely forgot that Google Voice had better support with Android until I did a little research. Well, Google Voice became another reason, but I didn’t know how easy it would have been. I assumed it would ask me all of the time which dialer I would wish, or dial my number directly, and call through the Voice System like GV Dialer would do. This is however is not the case.
Instead, you tell Google Voice to dial with all calls, anytime you make a phone call whether you manually enter the number, or if you use a number from your Contacts, it would automatically dial with the Google Voice dialer, and a slight pause is made between the dialing, and the ringing (about 2 – 5 seconds). Otherwise, it is literally transparent.
And the other side benefits as they would see my Google Voice number show up on their CID. Those who have me in their cell phone contact book would see my name as they entered it, and they would know it is me.
My cell phone number is still unblocked, but since the dialer never is used – it is not an issue. And most people are not going to ask what dialer is being used if I was to let them use the phone. This means that they would simply call and again – the Google Voice Dialer is used.
This is the way that all smart phones should be (hint Apple), where the dialer could be taken control by another dialer to make phone calls. I’m sure the phone carrier would say that this shouldn’t be because they are being bypassed. However, those saying that are either lying, or stupid.
The dialer at least in RIM dials a special gateway number (minutes used) and passes the number to be connected over. I’m not sure how it’s done with Android as my call log transparently shows the numbers I am trying to reach, so if Google Voice for Android is doing the same thing, it is unknown to me. Even if data was used (which it’s not), there is a cap on most smart phones to just 5GB.
Also, another benefit. Canada when using Google Voice is free. When using T-Mobile, it is 25¢ per minute. Since I’m using Google Voice, all of my calls to Canada which is the majority of non US NANP numbers won’t cost me anything. The most that a NANP number would cost me is 9¢ per minute such as to America Samoa (+1 684). I remember making a 4 minute call to Canada for $1 with T-Mobile, so this is icing on the cake so to speak. I might just throw $10 on my Google Voice funds.
So, if you’re a Google Voice user, and would want the perfect combination, then Android seems to be the way. Sorry AT&T users, no Android for you. I am guessing Apple and AT&T politics there.
Hello. I do not have an Android device (yet) but I am confused on one issue, mostly due to my inexperience with Google Voice. I am under the impression that Google Voice doesn’t really do outgoing calls. So what exactly is going on with your situation? This is one situation:
1) the Google Voice application contacting Google (via IP or something)
2) Google is connecting the call as if you initialized the call via the online web interface
3) Google calls your handset (again, as if you initialized the call via the web interface by clicking ‘call’)
4) The Google Voice app intercepts the call and configures it or whatever. To the user it looks like they issued the call command.
Does this sound plausible? I’m trying to build a mental model of how Google Voice works.
Thanks!
blaine
Blaine,
Google Voice doesn’t actually provide phone service. In that respect, you are not mistaken. However, when you initiate a call via the web interface, the phone provider handles the call with Google Voice as a middle man.
When you use a Google Voice app (currently on RIM and Android), the Google Voice dialer calls a special number, and sends your number that you dialed through there much like doing it web style without a call back.
In the case of Android, this is very transparent. You assign Google Voice to take over the dialer. When you make a call, there is a 3 – 10 second delay before you hear the ring. This is Google Voice using a special number that is a gateway. However, since Google Voice is the dialer, you see the number you called, and not the gateway number. The person you’re calling sees your Google Voice number rather than your cell phone number.
So, the call is being sent via cellular (your minutes used). Google uses a special phone it owns to act as a gateway (much like you using the web interface), and connects the call directly using your CID as verification. On an Android device, this is done in a manner where the Google Voice dialer becomes the default dialer (much like changing your default web browser). The interception is done at the phone level.
On a RIM device, the procedure is a bit more tedious, and you would see a number other than the number you’re calling in your call log. Think of Google voice as a calling card so to say. You would pay Google’s rates which US – US/Canada calls are always free (more beneficial than your cellular).
This transparency is only available on Android since the open platform allows for it. RIM, and Windows Mobile does not allow their dialer to be changed, and Apple has something stuck up somewhere where they want 100 fart applications, but better integration with Google is a no no.
Hope this helps? If not, let me know and I would try to clarify better.
Frank
Owner of site
Sounds great, thank you. So just to clarify – if I have Verizon and am calling a Verizon number, I would, unfortunately, be using my “non-free” minutes since I am technically calling Google’s gateway, not a verizon number. Is this the same situation if someone calls me from a Verizon number and Google Voice forwards it? If so I unfortunately cannot see the benefit to using Google Voice since I would only be using my limited peak minutes.
… second thought: What if I put the Google Voice Gateway number as one of my 10 “non-verizon” Family & Friends? This would allow me to call using my unlimited verizon minutes, right?
Thanks Frank – let me know what all I got wrong
Frank,
After some investigating it turns out that if you want to use Google Voice with Family & Friends, you simply add your Google Voice Gateway Number (which may be my personal GV number) and wa-lah. It works as an internal verizon number. Now, here is the interesting part. It appears, initially at least, that if I go this route all my outgoing calls would be seen as internal to the verizon network. This is great for me (unlimited calling!) but bad once verizon no undoubtedly figures this out. Would they block Google Voice? I hope not but only time will tell
You would be calling a gateway number, which technically isn’t your Google Voice number. It’s much like the old fashion dial up service where you called an ISP number to get on the Internet.
If you have a calling circle, you could add that number. The number that is called as according to the call log is a +1 717 number which is a Pennsylvanian number. If you add Google Voice, you may want to view your call log to look for the number you seem to be calling.
And yes, even if you call a VZW number, and it shows as your GV number, neither you nor the person you called would get the free calling. However, if a VZW customer calls your GV number, the caller would not benefit, but you would since the call forwards to you.
And yes, if you make the gateway number (not your personal GV number) as one of the numbers in the calling circle, you would benefit from theoretical unlimited outgoing calls.
As for benefits, the main benefit is that your GV number shows. This means that everyone will see that number, and know it’s you. It allows people to call the GV number which you can route to various phones such as your work number during work hours, home number during evening, and cell all of the time, and choose which one to answer. You can’t do that if people call the cell directly.
As for Verizon figuring things out, I am sure they know of this, however you still have a calling circle. VZW and ATT are the most expensive carriers, so they are making their profit. Howeveer, this is the cost that VZW makes for offering Android phones. They in turn would make out. And if they start blocking GV gateway numbers, it would be piss off customers, and while I’m no lawyer, but I would see that as a violation on their part of the TOS since they are not allowing certain numbers to be called. In addition, I think federal law prohibits them from blocking NANP general numbers.
So, my thoughts if I was you.
1. Find out the Google Voice Gateway number
2. Add it to the calling circle
3. Give your GV number exclusively to people you associate with.
4. Make sure you let those VZW who are calling you because you’re a free call that you’re not a free call.
If you would want, I would email you if you need some clarification. However, hope this enlightens some things. Look at your online call log with VZW to find out what your gateway number is. You would also have to make sure your CID isn’t blocked since GV uses CID to associate with your account.
Hope this helps.
Frank
PS, this is so transparent with Android phones. RIM devices requires a little more work, and less integration. If VZW really didn’t want this open platform, they wouldn’t be offering the Droid, and Elis