Google Voice + Gizmo5 + Siphon = iPhone App Calls
(VOICETALK.ORG) — Imagine receiving free calls to your Google Voice number on your iPhone anywhere in the world —or at the most — for outgoing calls just a few cents per minute. Now that Gizmo5 has enabled support for Google Voice, this is now made possible on the iPhone. While there is no native Gizmo5 app for the iPhone, you can configure Siphon which is available via Cydia for jailbroken iPhones.
Here are the steps to perform this operation, and don’t worry — it doesn’t involve any high tech wizardry or jumping through hoops of fire. To perform this gravity defying feat, you’ll need the following:
- WIFI or a broadband data plan like 3G or EDGE
- Google Voice account (invites take about a week)
- Gizmo5 account (account setup is free)
- Jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch
- Siphon App via Cydia
Steps
1) Login to gizmo5
2) Enter your Google Voice phone number in the My Account section and click the ON radio button then Save. Don’t modify the settings in the lower sections such as Call Forwarding (no forwarding / none) or else the validation in step 4 may not work.
3) After installing Siphon from Cydia, go to your Settings on the iPhone and look for the Siphon section. Enter the following configuration data:
Username: Gizmo5 SIP Number
Password: Gizmo5 Password
Server: proxy01.sipphone.com
Under Network Settings, set “Siphon over EDGE/3G” to ON.
4) Login to Google Voice to verify your Gizmo5 number by going to Settings (top right corner) > Phones (tab). For the Phone Type, select Gizmo in the drop down box. Make sure Siphon is open on your iPhone. Pick up the call when you receive it on your iPhone and enter the verification code.
After validation, you can receive incoming calls for free or make outgoing calls at 1.9 cents per minute after the first 3 minutes which are free plus your recipients will see your Google Voice number in their caller ID.
Optional: If you have Google Voice already forwarding to your iPhone, in order to receive calls via Siphon you would need to disable your GSM number within the Google Voice settings since the iPhone will answer using the GSM provider first. This is simply done with unchecking the check mark.
The blue GSM button on the Siphon dial pad is to use your normal mobile phone carrier’s network while the green SIP button is for your VOIP usage through Gizmo5.
NOTE: There are other Jailbroken iPhone apps that can enhance your experience. (1) Backgrounder can keep Siphon running in the background to get free incoming calls.
Google Voice Immediately Available for Military
(VOICETALK.ORG) — In a brilliant patriotic move, the company with a credo of ”do no evil” is now allowing immediate availability of Google Voice to military personnel.
The Official Google Blog had a special guest blogger, Sergeant Dale Sweetnam, to announce a special Google Voice invitation that grants access within a day vs. the average wait time of a week or up to a month for civilians.
Sweetnam states, “I flew in Black Hawks over Balad and Baghdad working to generate news coverage about my fellow soldiers. The whole experience was physically and emotionally draining, but it was especially difficult when I called home at the end of the day and nobody was there to answer.”
Intended Use
The Google Voice service is probably not meant for live calling on the battlefield such as, “Sorry dear, I’m in the middle of bombing attack, can we discuss Bonnie’s poor grades at a later time?” The service is intended more for when a soldier gets back to a tent with Internet access so he can check voicemail and respond from a computer — SMS might actually be best.
Assistance with Account Creation
Many soldiers may find that their account cannot be created outside of the United States borders since Google restricts foreign IP addresses. Military personnel might need assistance from family or friends within the confines of the United States to complete the account providing the intended area code for use.
References
See the Official Google Blog for a special link to military personnel with valid .MIL email addresses.
Google Voice Competitor 3jam Arises
(VOICETALK.ORG) — 3jam, a San Francisco startup, has announced open beta of a new service that competes directly with Google Voice. 3jam began its debut within the SMS niche back in June 2008 with SuperText technology to route messages to a computer or mobile device, but they have apparently shifted gears with the voice routing business model.
Many of the features duplicate that of Google Voice including call-forwarding, visual voicemail, voicemail transcription, and SMS to email. A few things different include:
- Number portability which is currently proposed but not offerred by Google Voice.
- VOIP forwarding to Skype and other IM voice services such as Yahoo Messenger.
- International availability
- Service Charge
As noted above, a major difference separating 3jam from that of Google Voice is the premium service charge. The site promotes for “as little as $4.99 per month” with a 12 month committment, a 3 month bundle for $5.99 or pay per month at $8.99. Texting plans start at $5 a month.
FCC Questions Apple & AT&T About Google Voice Rejections
(VOICETALK.ORG) — Both Apple and AT&T are getting a little heat in regards to fair trade practices. Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sent letters to Apple and AT&T questioning the rejection of the official Google’s iPhone application for Google Voice and the prompt removal earlier this week of two previously available App Store submissions GV Mobile and VoiceCentral. Apple was asked if they acted alone or if there was any influence by AT&T, the exclusive wireless provider for the iPhone.
A Google spokesperson said earlier this week that they would continue to pursue other possible technologies that would possibly involve the web browser to deliver the Google Voice service to the iPhone.
The head of the FCC’s wireless division, James D. Schlichting asked in the letter:
Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice.
Chairman Julius Genachowski stated that the FCC “has a mission to foster a competitive wireless marketplace, protect and empower consumers, and promote innovation and investment,” adding, “Recent news reports raise questions about practices in the mobile marketplace.” Both companies have been asked to respond by August 21. It should be noted that the letters are not formal investigations.
Gizmo5 Now Charging for Google Voice Outgoing Calls
(VOICETALK.ORG) — Last weekend it was too good to be true. Gizmo5 added an entry in their account section meaning that all calls using Google Voice were free. That is now past tense as things have changed over the course a week. At first outgoing calls were limited to 20 minutes and then further reduced to 3 minutes.
Now, outgoing calls using Google Voice are charged at 2 cents a minute. Now, outgoing calls are metered while incoming calls continue to be free. This still proves to be a great bargain vs. the use of the traditional phone line but no longer as sweet. Michael Robertson, CEO of Gizmo5 addressed the changes in an open letter:
Thanks for trying our experimental Gizmo Voice service. The viral spread of this service surprised us and we’ve received valuable feedback from many users on their experience of linking their Google Voice number to a Gizmo5 account so they can make and receive calls from wifi phones, ATAs, PC software and even a browser window using GizmoCall.com. Many of you have told us about the wide range of SIP devices you can now use to connect to Google Voice and we’re keeping a list of user suggestions of compatible wifi phones and software you might want to try out.
We’re now moving the service from Experimental to Beta and there are some important facts you should know:
* Gizmo Voice will remain a free service for Google Voice users to link their telephone number to a SIP account via Gizmo5.
* Unlimited incoming calls will be permitted to any SIP software or hardware.
* Free 3 minute calls to US numbers.
* All outbound calls will display your Google Voice CallerID.
* Longer calls will require a purchase of Gizmo5’s Call-Out which offers low per minute fees to all destinations.
* Unanswered inbound calls will use Google’s voicemail with unlimited online storage and free voicemail transcripts.
We hope you are enjoying the high quality VOIP service Gizmo5 has to offer, which includes unlimited calls to 800 numbers, other SIP networks, GoogleTalk users and even the ability to call a Skype user from any SIP device. (To test the SIP to Skype gateway call Try dialing 1-333-666-1111 which is the Skype echo line.) Gizmo5 is committed to user empowerment that comes from the use of open standards and interconnected services.
Please let me know any feedback you might have and thanks for considering Gizmo5 for your VOIP solution.
–MR
Michael Robertson
CEO, Gizmo5 Technologies, Inc
Apple Rejects Google Voice iPhone Apps
(VOICETALK.ORG) — In a shocking blow to iPhone users, the official Google Voice app by Google has been denied by Apple. Caught in the sweep were two leading third party applications for Google Voice that were removed from the Apple’s App Store on Tuesday — both GV Mobile and VoiceCentral. The reasons cited by Apple to Sean Kovacs, GV Mobile developer, was that his application duplicates features already available on the iPhone such as SMS messaging. GV Mobile is now available for jailbroken iPhones via Cydia. GV Mobile developer Sean Kovacs wrote on twitter noting Phil Schiller — Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing,
Existing user(s) will be able to keep GV Mobile… Funny how my app gets approved personally by Phil Schiller, now to get pulled. WTH Phil!!?
A Google spokeswoman told wired.com, “We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone,” adding “Apple did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the Apple App Store. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users — for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers.”
If we examine this move in more details, it’s likely that AT&T — the exclusive iPhone provider — may have influenced the removal of these applications. Google Voice software can hurt their bottom line if customers begin sending SMS messages via Google Voice rather than the AT&T network. For example, it costs $20 a month for an unlimited SMS plan. Most can now get away with the lowest AT&T plan of $5 for 200 messages when implementing Google Voice.
Free VOIP Calls with Gizmo5 & Google Voice
Gizmo5, the VOIP service has added support for Google Voice this weekend. Gizmo5 has now a Google Voice Calling section within the member account section. Previously, Gizmo5 members needed to call their Gizmo5 number using their Google Voice number using a separate application. Now, the Gizmo5 application allows for direct calls to your contacts with Google Voice showing as your caller ID. Best of all, no callout credits are required.(VOICETALK.ORG) — Gizmo5, the VOIP service, has added support for Google Voice. Starting this weekend, Gizmo5 now has a Google Voice calling area within their member account section.This means that (1) now, you don’t even need to have a physical landline or mobile phone to use Google Voice.
This also means (2) direct dial from Gizmo5. Previous to this change, users of Gizmo5 needed to dial their Gizmo5 number from their Google Voice account by use of a thrid party application. Now, the Gizmo5 application allows for direct calls to Gizmo5 contacts with the Google Voice number showing as the caller ID. Best of all, no call out credits are required.
Adding Google Voice as an option sparks interest as to why a VOIP provider, previously seen as competing with Google Voice, would allow for use with Google Voice. It’s possible this collaboration might be padded by compensation by Google. Another theory is that Google may be examining Gizmo5 as a possible Google acquisition.
Gizmo5 has been an up and coming player in the VOIP field, competing with Vonage, Skype and magicJack. Currently, Skype does not allow for validation of Google Voice numbers meaning it doesn’t support having your Caller ID show up as your Google Voice number when making outbound calls.
iPhone App – GV Mobile Review
(VOICETALK.ORG) — Use of Google Voice in many respects, has been impractical for many. For your contacts to see your Google Voice number on their caller ID instead of your real phone number that you’re trying to hide, you would either need to call your Google Voice number, hit option #2 to make an outgoing call, then hope you can remember your contact’s phone number. The alternative is to make the call from a computer after logging into your Google Voice account.
For users of the Apple iPhone, GV Mobile solves dial-out problems allowing you to have your full iPhone contact list at your disposal for dialing as if you were at your computer. GV Mobile was previously available at the iTunes Apps Store for $3 with a free version for outbound calls but is now available on Cydia for jailbroken iPhones.
Configuration is simple. On the opening screen, just put in your username and password. I had to do some troubleshoting for the Dial-Out phone number field. Apparently, this is the phone number of the phone you are intending on using, not your Google Voice number which I typed in originally. Overall, it’s a great application and a must-have for Google Voice users with an iPhone.
Pros:
- Dial, SMS, and retrieve Voicemail from GV Mobile
- Uses your iPhone Contacts
Cons:
- No push notification. No biggie for me, since I have my Google Voice setup to send me SMS messages when I receive a voicemail. But it would help since you wouldn’t need an SMS plan from your phone provider. Future development is highly unlikely now that GV Mobile has been removed from the App store.
- Slow on 3G (though quick on WIFI) – it can take up to a minute sometimes from the time you click the GV Mobile icon to login, then find your contact, then to the time the switchboard calls you back on your mobile phone. While this is all dependent on your Internet connection speed, there should at least be a message that tells you “Calling…”
- No offline support for Voicemail or SMS. As with most Internet applications, GV Mobile needs internet access so when encountering dead zones, GV Mobile will not open due to the inability to log in. For voicemail or to make a call, you can call your Google Voice number and hit the appropriate option.
- No Support for Horizontal Keyboard, Voice Dailing, Copy and Paste, or Magnifying Glass.
Gallery
Google Voice Apps for Android and Blackberry
(VOICETALK.ORG) — One hurdle with Google Voice has been ease of use for techies and non-techies alike. What often happens is you see a missed call or voice mail, and you instinctively hit the option to call them back. This is a big no-no. This will allow your contact see your real number and add it to their contacts list thus bypassing Google Voice – something you want to avoid. I’ve always had to remind myself to first dial my Google Voice number first then hit Option # 2 to use Google as a switchboard to make any outgoing calls. This way, your contacts will only see your Google number as an incoming call.
On Wednesday, the official Google Mobile blog release of Google Voice applications for both Android and Blackberry making the process more automated with those smart phones. Users of Apple’s iPhone have already had three applications thus far including GV Mobile, GVdialer, and VoiceCentral making use of Google Voice a walk in the park. Now Google has taken it to both Android and Blackberry.
The Google Mobile blog states,
We’re excited to release the Google Voice app for Android and Blackberry. You can use the app to make outgoing SMS messages and calls from your Google Voice number. What’s more, this app improves the mobile experience of Google Voice in a number of ways.
The Google Voice app integrates seamlessly with your phone’s native address book, making it even easier to call or text with your Voice number. Voicemail transcriptions are now available, and the app will highlight individual words during playback just like your favorite karaoke song.
Upgrading Grand Central to Google Voice
(VOICETALK.ORG) — All Grand Central users are being encouraged to migrate to Google Voice upon notification that their account is ready. This is being done in an orderly fashion and each individual is being notified via email and also with a notification on top of their Grand Central account upon login. It seems as if the notification goes out to the more frequent users than those that rarely use their accounts.
There are a few things you should be prepared for before migration especially if you are deeply entrenched into the Grand Central schematics.
Voicemail
All of your stored voicemail will be lost after the migration. So, if you need to save those recordings, then you are encouraged to do so.
Contacts
Make sure you go through your contacts and have them backed up elsewhere. If you’ve added your entire contact list to Grand Central, they will not be migrated to Google Voice. You might see your Gmail Contacts but you won’t have any phone numbers migrated over from Grand Central. You don’t have to perform this manually. Fortunately, there is a feature to export your Grand Central Address Book and Google Voice has a feature to import your contacts list.
User Interface (UI)
The Google Voice layout is vastly different than the Grand Central UI. Remember, this is designed by Google and not made for eye candy. It’ll take a little getting used to but one thing to keep in mind — it’s still in beta.