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Google Voice = free text messaging over the data connection. That means an end to charging rates of $1000 per MB for SMS data. The biggest ripoff they've got g

by Legion 17y ago

Google Voice = free text messaging over the data connection. That means an end to charging rates of $1000 per MB for SMS data. The biggest ripoff they've got going would be gone. Of course they're in no hurry to let that gravy train come to an end.

igorgue 17y ago
also free local calls... and ultra cheap international calls
- dkokelley 17y ago
  Free local calls through your connected phones, meaning if you're on a cell phone, you still use minutes. International calls aren't billed at international rates through your carrier, since you're really only calling Google locally. Google is then dialing internationally and getting you a cheaper rate, but you're still using minutes.
dkokelley 17y ago
To clarify, it's free outgoing messages, if you're using a GV client to send them. Incoming messages to a GV number will forward to your phone(s) at whatever rate you're being charged. Or you could prohibit GV from sending the phone texts, but then you'd have to go online to check for incoming messages.
- Legion 17y ago
  Forwarding incoming SMS messages is what you do when there's no Google Voice app. With a Google Voice app, you can directly receive SMS messages sent to your Google Voice number, no forwarding (and thus, no carrier charge) needed. At least, that's how I assume it would work on the iPhone, because that's how it works on my G1 right now.
  - dkokelley 17y ago
    Really? That's great! I'm on the iPhone and that's how it works for me. I have an unlimited text plan so there's no big issue for me, but for people without unlimited texts or Android phones, your texts are forwarded to your number. Even more reason to consider an Android phone. I've been on the fence for a while.
    - Legion 17y ago
      For the record, you have to be sure to go into your GV account and uncheck "Receive SMS on this phone" for your mobile phone. That turns off the forwarding. The GV client app periodically polls GV for new messages, and will alert you when you get one. This does mean, however, that there is usually a delay of a few minutes before the GV client polls again and you get a notification of the new message. (You can force the client to update at any time by opening it and hitting Refresh, if you're expecting a message). So, there is a small catch. I use a limited texting account. People whose texts I'd want instantly text my "real" phone number. People whose texts can wait a few minutes get my GV number. :) EDIT: There's a third party Google Voice app (named simply "GV") which allows you to set the message polling as rapidly as every minute. I'm giving this a shot now. :)
      - andreyf 17y ago
        The iPhone gives apps push functionality starting with version 3, so on a native app text messages would be instantaneous.
        Legion 17y ago
        Right, but the "problem" is that unless you're using SMS forwarding (and any carrier fees that incurs), then an incoming SMS to your Google Voice number isn't arriving to your phone as an SMS message. Instead, the Google Voice app is polling the GV service, not unlike checking email, and notifying you of any new messages it finds. How instantaneous you get the message depends on how rapidly the app polls. The official Google Voice app on Android waits a few minutes between polls. The 3rd party "GV" app lets you set it more aggressively (though naturally, there's a battery trade-off that comes with doing so).
edmccaffrey 17y ago
Is it possible to add whatever number Google calls you from when connecting incoming calls to the list of numbers that you can talk to for free? Might be possible to get all calls for free if it's always the same number, until T-Mobile blocks it from those lists.
- secret 17y ago
  It is possible, I have my phone set up like this now. Use one of your MyFaves for your GV number and another one for the number GV dials out to (347-234-5001). Then just forget about it and use your phone like normal- all incoming and outgoing calls will be routed through these two if you have GV installed. It works seamlessly on the mytouch.
  - Legion 17y ago
    I would really like to know how long you've been using this. Technically, this is a violation of the MyFaves terms of use. I'm wondering if, as Google Voice becomes more popular, T-Mobile may take note of MyFaves using numbers like the GV outbound dialer number. Still, I'm signing up with T-Mobile soon and I'm likely to try this myself. :)
    - secret 17y ago
      Actually, I had no idea this violated their terms of use. It's the only reason I signed up for T-Mobile in the first place! :) I've been using it for just over two weeks now without issue.
      - Legion 17y ago
        This page has a blog post where some people pointed out the terms of use violation: http://devin.reams.me/free-google-voice-calls-with-t-mobile-myfaves/ http://devin.reams.me/free-google-voice-calls-with-t-mobile-... Apparently the text that it violates is: "Your five numbers must be US domestic numbers and must not include ... customers' own numbers; and single numbers allowing access to 500 or more persons." I think you can easily get away with having your own Google Voice number as a MyFave. That number is unique to you and shouldn't set off red flags. What I think may be a bit more sticky is the 347-234-5001 number, which, if GV continues to take off, might get noticed because a lot of people will be "fave-ing" that specific number. Just something to think about. I'm not sure yet if that thought is going to deter me or not from doing it myself. I'm leaning towards "no". :)

by Legion 17y ago

igorgue 17y ago

also free local calls... and ultra cheap international calls

dkokelley 17y ago
Free local calls through your connected phones, meaning if you're on a cell phone, you still use minutes. International calls aren't billed at international rates through your carrier, since you're really only calling Google locally. Google is then dialing internationally and getting you a cheaper rate, but you're still using minutes.

dkokelley 17y ago

To clarify, it's free outgoing messages, if you're using a GV client to send them. Incoming messages to a GV number will forward to your phone(s) at whatever rate you're being charged. Or you could prohibit GV from sending the phone texts, but then you'd have to go online to check for incoming messages.

Legion 17y ago
Forwarding incoming SMS messages is what you do when there's no Google Voice app. With a Google Voice app, you can directly receive SMS messages sent to your Google Voice number, no forwarding (and thus, no carrier charge) needed. At least, that's how I assume it would work on the iPhone, because that's how it works on my G1 right now.
- dkokelley 17y ago
  Really? That's great! I'm on the iPhone and that's how it works for me. I have an unlimited text plan so there's no big issue for me, but for people without unlimited texts or Android phones, your texts are forwarded to your number. Even more reason to consider an Android phone. I've been on the fence for a while.
  - Legion 17y ago
    For the record, you have to be sure to go into your GV account and uncheck "Receive SMS on this phone" for your mobile phone. That turns off the forwarding. The GV client app periodically polls GV for new messages, and will alert you when you get one. This does mean, however, that there is usually a delay of a few minutes before the GV client polls again and you get a notification of the new message. (You can force the client to update at any time by opening it and hitting Refresh, if you're expecting a message). So, there is a small catch. I use a limited texting account. People whose texts I'd want instantly text my "real" phone number. People whose texts can wait a few minutes get my GV number. :) EDIT: There's a third party Google Voice app (named simply "GV") which allows you to set the message polling as rapidly as every minute. I'm giving this a shot now. :)
    - andreyf 17y ago
      The iPhone gives apps push functionality starting with version 3, so on a native app text messages would be instantaneous.
      - Legion 17y ago
        Right, but the "problem" is that unless you're using SMS forwarding (and any carrier fees that incurs), then an incoming SMS to your Google Voice number isn't arriving to your phone as an SMS message. Instead, the Google Voice app is polling the GV service, not unlike checking email, and notifying you of any new messages it finds. How instantaneous you get the message depends on how rapidly the app polls. The official Google Voice app on Android waits a few minutes between polls. The 3rd party "GV" app lets you set it more aggressively (though naturally, there's a battery trade-off that comes with doing so).

edmccaffrey 17y ago

Is it possible to add whatever number Google calls you from when connecting incoming calls to the list of numbers that you can talk to for free? Might be possible to get all calls for free if it's always the same number, until T-Mobile blocks it from those lists.

secret 17y ago
It is possible, I have my phone set up like this now. Use one of your MyFaves for your GV number and another one for the number GV dials out to (347-234-5001). Then just forget about it and use your phone like normal- all incoming and outgoing calls will be routed through these two if you have GV installed. It works seamlessly on the mytouch.
- Legion 17y ago
  I would really like to know how long you've been using this. Technically, this is a violation of the MyFaves terms of use. I'm wondering if, as Google Voice becomes more popular, T-Mobile may take note of MyFaves using numbers like the GV outbound dialer number. Still, I'm signing up with T-Mobile soon and I'm likely to try this myself. :)
  - secret 17y ago
    Actually, I had no idea this violated their terms of use. It's the only reason I signed up for T-Mobile in the first place! :) I've been using it for just over two weeks now without issue.
    - Legion 17y ago
      This page has a blog post where some people pointed out the terms of use violation: http://devin.reams.me/free-google-voice-calls-with-t-mobile-myfaves/ http://devin.reams.me/free-google-voice-calls-with-t-mobile-... Apparently the text that it violates is: "Your five numbers must be US domestic numbers and must not include ... customers' own numbers; and single numbers allowing access to 500 or more persons." I think you can easily get away with having your own Google Voice number as a MyFave. That number is unique to you and shouldn't set off red flags. What I think may be a bit more sticky is the 347-234-5001 number, which, if GV continues to take off, might get noticed because a lot of people will be "fave-ing" that specific number. Just something to think about. I'm not sure yet if that thought is going to deter me or not from doing it myself. I'm leaning towards "no". :)