Develop Bugs

How is Google voice on the Evo?

Hi,
I keep reading threads about using Google voice on the evo instead of the sprint visual voicemail. How are you guys using it (I hate to ask a really basic question)?
Do you just get an email in your inbox & check it? Is there a way to get a notification of an email? Is there an Evo app to use it?
I hate how I keep losing my voicemails when trying out roms.
Plus the new Cyan Froyo has that visual voicemail bug which keeps a perm notification. So if I cant beat them, how do I join them?
Thanks,
Rich

It integrates really well. The only thing missing is mms support.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

I'm an Android AND Google Voice newb, but I use it for voicemail and love it. As you described, your voicemail is totally independent of Sprint and you can flash ROMs to your heart's content and always be able to read and listen to your messages from any PC with hiccups or issues. I also love the fact that you can have different greeting for different callers. You can send specific callers straight to VM, dial numbers from your computer, and other stuff I haven't really had the time to discover yet. Since it's free, why not give it a shot? You have nothing to lose.

Is there a specific app for it on android? Does a new voicemail pop into the notification area?

Have not set it up on my EVO, however on my Nexus I had Google Voice transcribe the voicemail and text me. Transcription was marginal, but 90% of the time I could get the gist if not I just listened to it.

RichTJ99 said:
Is there a specific app for it on android? Does a new voicemail pop into the notification area?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and yes. There's a Google Voice app in the Market which is free (Check the publisher, too) and integrates perfectly with Android. It gives you notifications for SMS, Voicemail, missed calls, the works.
The only downside, is if you're using AnyMobile AnyTime, incoming calls from cellphones show up as cellphones and are then charged as cellphones, BUT, outgoing calls go to a Google Voice access number, and are then charged as landlines. My work-around has been to use Sipgate ONE with Fring or another softphone; set Google Voice to ring your Sipgate number, then add your Sipgate account to Fring's SIP profile. Since Sipgate ONE has unlimited free incoming calls, and even Google Voice outbound calls are really billed as incoming (GVoice makes a call to you, and then makes a call to the target phone number), you get free unlimited calls over VoIP on 3G, 4G, and WiFi.
The only downside to this method, is you have to use a computer to initiate the Sipgate/GVoice calls, as the GVoice app for Android *only* manages Google Voice for the Android phone via normal calls, and not other phones, and unlike the iPhone, there's no web interface (you just get a web page telling you to download the app from the market).

I have set up Sprint to forward to Google Voice instead of my Sprint VM. I don't use it for making calls but more as a forwarding and management service. I like having a second number to give out to people other than friends and family where I can screen calls easier. The only downside is that Sprint rings like 6-8 times and then forwards to Gvoice which rings another few times. People get tired of waiting and often don't leave a message.

The Google voice app is awesome. You can also send/receive free text messages on the phone.

Google Voice is one of the best apps you can get on android. it completely replaces your text/voicemail apps. you can READ voicemail messages, have custom voicemail greetings for every caller, text from any browser, and so much more. It is a must have if you own an Android phone in my opinion

full Google Voice on WP7

I have always been an android fan since the G1, but REALLLY interested in WP7, thinking of buying the htc arrive on sprint but theirs ONE thing holding me back. And thats Google Voice.
I use GV for my main number for texitng AND calling.
I know they have some GV apps but can never seem to get a clear answer. I need to be able to receive and make calls along with texting and receiving. any WP7 GV app for that?

There are a couple of GV apps but I still use the actual website because I think it works better.
If you download zune I believe you can download the WP7 Marketplace still if you wanted to look for yourself.

well I use zune and looked. but wasnt sure if I can call on those. Like of course android GV app will be better. but say someone calls my GV number I want my WP7 to ring just like normal

i use google voice on android and it rocks

well I know its awesome on android thats what I use. I just want the baic features to work if im gonna get a WP7 device like texting and making and receiving calls to my GV number

It works on wp7. Its not quite as fully integrated as there is no official app, and there is no socket API as of yet. This means the 3rd party apps have to send you notifications directly from their own servers for true notifications, otherwise it will load when you open the app and check for new messages.
I use the GoVoice application on wp7 and it notifies me (through 3rd party) of sms messages ect, and gives me my google voice mails/translations/playback just fine. It works, you can make calls, receive calls, texts, get transcripts/playback just like on android, its just a little bit more limited than the Android version. When the sockets api comes out for dev's this will quickly be addressed with true notifications and be more similar to what you are used to.
http://www.wpcentral.com/wp7-google-voice-clients-–-review-roundup

hmm thanks. I think im gonna try the HTC Arrive on sprint. I looove android, but sometimes just want a phone thats very quick. simple and looks great. plus I love Zune Pass. The only thing holding me back was using GV. but GoVoice seems great

samrozzi said:
hmm thanks. I think im gonna try the HTC Arrive on sprint. I looove android, but sometimes just want a phone thats very quick. simple and looks great. plus I love Zune Pass. The only thing holding me back was using GV. but GoVoice seems great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah I'm pretty heavily tied in to Google Voice. Use it for work and all my voicemails. GoVoice gets the job done good enough till a full fledged one can be written when Sockets API is released. But when that happens I will definitely be looking for one as great as what Android had

dtboos said:
It works on wp7. Its not quite as fully integrated as there is no official app, and there is no socket API as of yet. This means the 3rd party apps have to send you notifications directly from their own servers for true notifications, otherwise it will load when you open the app and check for new messages.
I use the GoVoice application on wp7 and it notifies me (through 3rd party) of sms messages ect, and gives me my google voice mails/translations/playback just fine. It works, you can make calls, receive calls, texts, get transcripts/playback just like on android, its just a little bit more limited than the Android version. When the sockets api comes out for dev's this will quickly be addressed with true notifications and be more similar to what you are used to.
http://www.wpcentral.com/wp7-google-voice-clients-–-review-roundup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious how you expect a Socket API to make the notifications better.

PG2G said:
I'm curious how you expect a Socket API to make the notifications better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason you don't see any [functioning] Instant messenger apps, and why GoVoice needs this 'workaround' is there is no way for the dev's to bind to a port or IP address on a host, giving way for the notifications you would normally be used to. Until MS gives these API's out, only bandaid workarounds will be available.
Or am I missing something?

If there is a way to make/recieve phone calls using GoVoice, then I must be too stupid to figure it out. When I attempted to make calls, it would somehow remotely call from my other on contract phone, while also causing my on contract phone to ring until I answered it. Really confusing to describe, but it was equally confusing watching it happen.

dtboos said:
The reason you don't see any [functioning] Instant messenger apps, and why GoVoice needs this 'workaround' is there is no way for the dev's to bind to a port or IP address on a host, giving way for the notifications you would normally be used to. Until MS gives these API's out, only bandaid workarounds will be available.
Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think what they are doing is a workaround, I'm not too sure how they'd do it otherwise. One of the major reasons for push notifications is to be used when the application isn't running. Having a Socket API isn't going to help at all if the application isn't running, right?

PG2G said:
I don't think what they are doing is a workaround, I'm not too sure how they'd do it otherwise. One of the major reasons for push notifications is to be used when the application isn't running. Having a Socket API isn't going to help at all if the application isn't running, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm...thats true...so I would assume (hopefully) that sockets support comes with the multitasking update? Are programs going to be able to periodically check for information while not running in the foreground? You will need this for 'in app' notifications instead of the workaround; I call it that because it is. Well, a workaround the lack of what is necessary to do these like on other systems (BB, palm, Symbian, iOS, Android ect). GoVoice uses a secondary user account on Gmax. Gmax has to watch your account for changes and then send you notifications to the phone, as opposed to doing this inside the app.
I'm no programmer, so I'm not sure exactly all what is needed. But shouldn't these programs be able to bind to certain ports, and when messages come in, they are pushed to your device? Does the program need to be running all the time? or will the notification being sent from a specific host/port 'awaken' the application with a notification? Maybe somebody can clarify this for me. How do the other systems do this? You should be able to get a notification while doing other things, since you can obviously already do this with the MS applications.
To me, this type of functionality is pretty necessary to many applications people will need on their phones.

In iOS4, Apple added the ability for VOIP applications to run in the background. That in combination with a Socket API (which is necessary for VOIP anyway) is probably what you're after.

tiny17 said:
If there is a way to make/recieve phone calls using GoVoice, then I must be too stupid to figure it out. When I attempted to make calls, it would somehow remotely call from my other on contract phone, while also causing my on contract phone to ring until I answered it. Really confusing to describe, but it was equally confusing watching it happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GoVoice dials directly using the same method that Android's Voice application uses. There's no call-back when connecting the call. It simply calls an intermediary Google number, which dials out to whomever you're calling.

thesecondsfade said:
GoVoice dials directly using the same method that Android's Voice application uses. There's no call-back when connecting the call. It simply calls an intermediary Google number, which dials out to whomever you're calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I must have messed something up in the setup then.

tiny17 said:
Interesting. I must have messed something up in the setup then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use Google Voice web page on your desktop PC to make a call and remembered that setting? It is possible that GoVoice gets affected by your Google Voice web page settings.
BTW, on Android Phones, Google Voice is fully integrated with the phone dial pad as well so that you don't need to pull up the Google Voice app in order to make a call. You set up rules about when you want to make GV calls (all calls or only international calls) and just dial your number or contacts in regular Android phone dialer pad.

[Q] Google Voice

Anyone else here using Google Voice? And I don't just mean for the voicemail part. I just set up a number online with them and I'm considering dropping my unlimited SMS with VZW and using the Google voice SMS instead.
I'm just curious to see if anyone else has tried this? The number I got is the same last four as my current one, but the prefix is different, so that's not too bad. I figure I could drop my bill almost $30 by no longer using VZW's SMS service.

This is one of the first reasons why Android interested me. I've never paid for txt messages & never will.
Limitations:
1. You can't send an email-to-txt to a GV number
2. You can't receive MMS
3. You can't send txts to short numbers (like "Text REDCROSS to 90999")
Unless those features are worth $360/year, I think it's an easy decision...

Been using GV as my primary number for over a year now. My most recent VZW bill shows 0 text usage even though any of my friends would tell you that we exchange tons of texts
The biggest shortcoming is the lack of MMS support. If your friends aren't in the habit of sending you picture messages though (my circle just uses email), then it's a non-issue.
It's also great that using the Local Google Voice Settings Plugin with Tasker allows me to tweak GV call forwarding on the fly. Call me while I'm at work and you'll hit my desk phone. Call me in the evenings and you'll hit my cell.

Ok everything sounds pretty good to me then, the lack of MMS support is kinda weak though, I do that pretty frequently. I was considering just straight porting my number to them, but then I decided it wouldn't be worth it with my ETF. I'll give it a shot though with email instead of MMS, with Androids and all the options to share media, I'm sure I could live without it.

Afterthought: next question about GV, anyone have a way to integrate the incredible's messaging app with the SMS of GV? Mostly because I like how I have my widgets set up and would like to continue to use them. And secondly because GV isn't the most aesthetically pleasing to me at the moment

Well, you can choose to have your GV# forward text messages to your cell#. That way you could still use your stock messaging app/widget. The problem with that approach is that people's numbers won't come through looking like their number. Instead, you'll see another number that GV is essentially using as a proxy.
Before I had an Android device, I had my contacts set-up to take this into acct. So Johnny Smith might have phone number 444-555-6767, but when he called or texted my GV#, my phone would show incoming from 999-111-2323. I would store both the regular number and the 'proxy' number into someone's contact.
Your life will be a lot easier if you just use the GV app/widget. I'll take functionality over aesthetics any day, but that's your call.

But the problem with forwarding the messages to my current carriers number is that it defeats the purpose of dropping the unlimited texting. I'll give it a shot, I future dated the change on my online account to start next billing cycle. Should give everyone enough time to take down my GV number. Thanks for the help guys! Anyone else that has something to add whether they're pros/cons please let me know.

Hypcrsy said:
But the problem with forwarding the messages to my current carriers number is that it defeats the purpose of dropping the unlimited texting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. But you asked how to use the stock messaging app with Google Voice. That's how.
No stock messaging system is going to integrate with Google Voice while also keeping your text usage at 0. Your phone doesn't 'think' it's receiving SMS. An SMS app isn't going to 'see' the GV text (unless you have it set to forward to your existing #)

I was actually thinking about this the other day....interesting responses, thanks guys

One thing great that has gone unmentioned is the browser accessibility of google voice....phone issues? Can text anywhere you can get internet via browser. I've used that a fair amount. The way the number can be routed to other phones is always a useful thing as well. I like not being attached to my physical phone numbers anymore.

I just got a google voice account the other day. I am still trying to figure out if I like it. So far it is pretty good. The voice to text is not that accurate yet but I hear that it improves over time. I have not given it out to people yet so not sure how it will work once I do that.
Thanks for the info...
SoBBie

I use GV as a business line. Complete with a business VM message. I love the fact u can screen the VM live then chime in if u wana talk. MMS is the only reason I will not use ot as a vzw replacement #.... Other wise I use it daily.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

byrong said:
Indeed. But you asked how to use the stock messaging app with Google Voice. That's how.
No stock messaging system is going to integrate with Google Voice while also keeping your text usage at 0. Your phone doesn't 'think' it's receiving SMS. An SMS app isn't going to 'see' the GV text (unless you have it set to forward to your existing #)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I have fowared on, will the phone company still charge for the txt message from my GV?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

that's correct, you will be charged if you have texts forwarded to your carrier phone #. Think of the google voice app on phone as a chat interface that is linked to a phone #. I have also thought as mentioned it's not the prettiest app...but there are some themed versions out there to be sure.

2faroffroad said:
So if I have fowared on, will the phone company still charge for the txt message from my GV?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. If you have forwarding on, your phone treats it the same as receiving a regular text, since Google is forwarding a regular text to your Verizon phone #

I just use it to see how transcribing works. It is funny on many people but it usually gets the numbers right, which is awesome

I am with you 100% on the transcription - it is hilarious. It has no idea in the world what my wife is saying - 1 in 10 words right, I would guess! I only keep it on for the entertainment value.

So far I'm pretty happy with it. It does have those neat screening features for incoming calls. One weird thing I got was a voicemail recording of the phone ringing and my mom picking up and going "hello? hello?" Hopefully bugs like that don't happen too often. The one thing I will miss is the MMS ability, but hey, I have a Droid Incredible, there are many ways around that.
As for the themed versions of GV, can you point me in the right direction? I'd like like to see what I can find. Thanks again for all the responses, definitely made the decision a lot easier for me.
The best part of GV thus far is that I dropped my bill almost $30 a month. Sprint can suck it with there $69 simply everything plan....mine is Simply Unlimited Everything for $55 a month.
EDIT: Nevermind I found some solid looking themed GV inboxes. Thanks again everyone for responding!

Some Google Voice Help Please :)

So I've integrated my Sprint Number with Google Voice - Cool. I like it. Mostly it's awesome to be able to sit at my computer and text\call people from a number they actually recognize. And being a flash addict, and yet someone who also wants to keep ALL my texts, it is quite useful.
Anyways when I first integrated, every incoming text would give me two notifications, one from Voice and one from default SMS app. I did something - changed a setting - I'm not sure, probably on the desktop side of things, but now I'm only receiving texts in Voice. They aren't showing up at all in my SMS app. Can someone help a noob out? I appreciate it!

I haven't used the integration, but what if you try to re-set it up and disable the text feature?

teh roxxorz said:
I haven't used the integration, but what if you try to re-set it up and disable the text feature?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh One day I'll learn to think outside the box! I have to wait 15 minutes after disabling to enable, but I'll let you know if it worked. It may not, because the settings may be stored server side and kept regardless of disabling, but I will soon see. Thanks.

So, messages are now showing up in SMS app again, so thats good, but I'm getting the double notifications again. Does anyone know how to disable text notifications for Voice? Also, I told voice that I wanted to route all calls through it - I've changed my mind haha. How do I change that setting?

thanamesjames said:
So, messages are now showing up in SMS app again, so thats good, but I'm getting the double notifications again. Does anyone know how to disable text notifications for Voice? Also, I told voice that I wanted to route all calls through it - I've changed my mind haha. How do I change that setting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for google voice, I don't know how to, since I don't use the text feature, but in chomp, you can simply go to the notification settings and disable them, and you'll only see them on chomp.

thanamesjames said:
So, messages are now showing up in SMS app again, so thats good, but I'm getting the double notifications again. Does anyone know how to disable text notifications for Voice? Also, I told voice that I wanted to route all calls through it - I've changed my mind haha. How do I change that setting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to disable text notifications, you will also have to disable voicemail notifications. just enable text/email notification for voicemail

I think it had something to do with Spring and google because same thing happened with me i still get picture mail on stock messenger and i can still send out once but none come in Sprint is maing out on that deal they are not getting any text data on are accounts

Muellersirch said:
to disable text notifications, you will also have to disable voicemail notifications. just enable text/email notification for voicemail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh. Well thats not clear in the least bit. If the notification feature is tied to both voicemail and text they should label it as such. But still thats an annoyingly stupid limitation. Surely they understand why someone, and I would guess most people, would like a voicemail notification, but not two sms notifications. /rant
Anyways, thanks for the help! Also for my other little problem about setting up all calls through gVoice, I just happened to stumble on a widget that switched that... still don't know where the setting to change it is though.

Voice took over everything and i didnt like it. I didnt even want voice to do it, but somehow it did. The only way i could figure out how to get back the option of what number to dial out from (google or cell) was to find older version of voice and install.

[Q] Voice Call and Text Announcements

I'm looking for a new Text-To-Speech app that announces the name of who's calling and who's texting me. I just uninstalled Voice Alerts because it doesn't announce names without cutting out and worse, it doesn't stop announcing caller's names long after you've declined the call. I also used SMS Alerts and some others, but each one ends up failing.
Does anyone else use an app like this on their GN2?

Hmm... guess no one like to use TTS announcements instead of ringtones like I do. I did find and am trying out "Call Announcer". I had a minor problem at first so I contacted the Developer who replied fairly quickly. It's working so far.

I've used Full Screen Caller ID for quite a while: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androminigsm.fscifree&hl=en
Besides the bigger contact picture, it will announce calls and read text messages.

Turn on driving mode under touchwiz. (You will find it under the quick toggles in the pull down notification screen.)
I am not 100% it works the way you want it to, but it does announce who is calling and who sent you a text message. Play with it.

I was wondering how that was happening on my mom's note.