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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 G

by 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).
- andreyf 17y ago
  I have an unlimited text plan so there's no big issue for me That sounds backwards... your paying $20/month on top of the data plan is precisely the issue here. Unless it's your parents' money :-P
  - dkokelley 17y ago
    Well, not quite. It's $30 for unlimited texts on family plan, split between 5 people. I pay $6 for unlimited texts, not $20. Still your point is valid. It's still just data and should be charged at data rates.

by Legion 17y ago

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).
andreyf 17y ago
I have an unlimited text plan so there's no big issue for me That sounds backwards... your paying $20/month on top of the data plan is precisely the issue here. Unless it's your parents' money :-P
- dkokelley 17y ago
  Well, not quite. It's $30 for unlimited texts on family plan, split between 5 people. I pay $6 for unlimited texts, not $20. Still your point is valid. It's still just data and should be charged at data rates.