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Print 18 comment(s) - last by gereth86.. on Jul 28 at 10:52 AM
iPhone users have to wait for Apple approval of the app

Google is steadily rolling out all sorts of new products and offerings and is doing well at turning itself from a search firm to a company that competes with Microsoft on many levels from software to email.

Google has been talking up its Chrome OS over the last few weeks and is set to combat Microsoft's Windows for market share in the netbook category. Google is also looking to fight a battle on the VOIP front against Skype with its Google Voice service. Google Voice is gaining some much-desired features, at least for Android users and Blackberry owners.

A new Google Voice application is available for the two platforms that adds features to make Google Voice more usable. The app allows users to make calls using their Google Voice number directly from their mobile phones. The call receiver will see the Google Voice number rather than the caller's mobile number. Any text messages sent will also be from the users Google Voice number.

The New York Times reports that before the new app was available, the only way for users to place calls from their Google Voice number was to type the numbers they wanted to call in rather than accessing the numbers from a contact list. The app will also allow users to access voice mail and view message transcripts.

The transcripts can also be read in a "karaoke style" with the apps highlighting the words being read. Only users that currently have a Google Voice number will be able to take advantage of the slick new applications. Google still says that it will offer the Voice service to more users and is currently working through a backlog of Google Voice requests.

Google also says it is working with Apple now to bring the application to the iPhone.

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Google Voice
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 7/15/2009 10:56:20 AM , Rating: 2
After playing around with this for a bit, it doesn't seem to do much for me. I already have an unlimited homeline (Vonage) that forwards to my iPhone if need be. I just got an iPhone, so there's no friggin' way that I'm gonna send out ANOTHER mass email telling people about another new phone number. And I quite like visual voicemail on my iPhone and don't need a substitute.

Personally, I think people are just going crazy's because it says "Google", but maybe I'll warm up to it more when they allow number porting. But for now, I'm just "meh"... or maybe I'm just doing it wrong :-)




RE: Google Voice
By captainBOB on 7/15/2009 10:59:34 AM , Rating: 3
The fact that Google runs the service is a little creepy. But if you think about it you can separate yourself from <insert iPhone carrier here> a little more. Instead of paying for calling, you just pay for the data to access such service.
</pipe dream>


RE: Google Voice
By realist on 7/15/2009 11:12:37 AM , Rating: 4
I rather have google spy on my voice convo's than at&t.


RE: Google Voice
By HrilL on 7/16/2009 3:39:00 PM , Rating: 2
Too bad you can't do that. Data plans go on top of voice plans without one you can't get the other. At least for phones. So the idea is good but it just won't work out that way.


RE: Google Voice
By gereth86 on 7/28/2009 10:52:05 AM , Rating: 2
I don't have AT&T, but if I am correct in their pricing structure, SMS text messages for example are not included in their basic data plan. So, assuming you are going with the cheapest possible plan, you could use normal web data to connect with Google Voice, and use that service for free SMS messages.


RE: Google Voice
By KingViper on 7/15/2009 11:09:43 AM , Rating: 2
I think a major advantage is that one you start using Google Voice, you won't have to switch your number again. You'll give one number to all your friends, and whether you switch cell phones, work phones, home phones, it doesn't matter, they'll still use the same number. With this app, now when you call out, they'll see the google voice number, and not the actual phone's number, eliminating contact book confusion with your friends.


RE: Google Voice
By dhalilahma on 7/15/2009 11:25:44 AM , Rating: 2
Off the topic, but why do all Daily Tech articles say 'form' instead of 'from'? Its weird!


RE: Google Voice
By Moishe on 7/20/2009 2:27:33 PM , Rating: 2
Bad spell checker?


RE: Google Voice
By icrf on 7/15/2009 4:41:10 PM , Rating: 2
That's pretty much it. It means that you can use Android or Blackberry (or soon, iPhone) and have very similar features and UI. If you have Vonage and an iPhone, it doesn't do much for you. What if you want to drop either of those services? GV is free and manually connects to anything, and is getting integrated support in the big smart phone platforms.

Speaking of, anyone hear anything about a version for the Palm Pre?


RE: Google Voice
By lco45 on 7/15/2009 9:00:30 PM , Rating: 2
In Australia you can keep your number when changing provider.

A friend of mine owns an iPhone outright and changes his provider every 3 months or so, chasing better deals, but his number is just transferred each time.

Do the US providers not allow you to keep your number when you switch provider?

Luke


RE: Google Voice
By lco45 on 7/15/2009 9:03:10 PM , Rating: 2
I might just add that in Australia the Apple Store sells unlocked iPhones that you can then hook up to your provider of choice. No contract or plan required, or you can just slip in your existing SIM.

Luke


RE: Google Voice
By lco45 on 7/15/2009 9:06:23 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry, forgot to post link:
http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_iphone/...

Can I also chime in again and mention that iPhone on contract is available from all providers here? Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Three ... no exclusivity at all.

Luke


RE: Google Voice
By lco45 on 7/15/2009 9:06:34 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry, forgot to post link:
http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_iphone/...

Can I also chime in again and mention that iPhone on contract is available from all providers here? Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Three ... no exclusivity at all.

Luke


RE: Google Voice
By AlphaVirus on 7/15/2009 12:56:42 PM , Rating: 2
Of course you are going to defend not needing anything other than your iphone, you are paying a handsome amount for the plan. I don't see this as being a complete substitute for your entire contact, perhaps for a select few, maybe your business only or personal only.

On topic I hate it not being released for Symbian platforms, would love to test out the functionality on my phone for work and and personal contacts.

This cought my attention, this is a slap in the face to all carriers.
* Send and receive SMS messages, bypassing wireless carrier fees


RE: Google Voice
By Moishe on 7/20/2009 2:26:42 PM , Rating: 2
I have a BB from work with unlimited data and no voice service, so if I can make voice calls using the app. That's a plus for me.

But otherwise, you're right, it's not that useful.


What about AT&T
By SurreDeth on 7/15/2009 11:51:08 AM , Rating: 3
Are they going to allow Google voice traffic over 3G?




RE: What about AT&T
By dever on 7/15/2009 4:33:17 PM , Rating: 2
I don't believe Google Voice is actually in direct competition with Skype as the article states. I have Google Voice, and you send and receive calls via POTS, not the interwebs.


GV for Goole Voice
By MightyPez on 7/15/2009 12:30:11 PM , Rating: 2
After trying to official app, I think I am going to stick to the GV for Google Voice app for Android. The sole reason being that I can set my Google Voice number as one of my 5 Favorites. All incomming and outgoing calls go through that number, so I substantially reduce my minutes.




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