Archive for July, 2009
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.
How to Get Free Unlimited Calls
(VOICETALK.ORG) — The phone companies are afraid. They should be. Google Voice will allow their customers to get free unlimited inbound and outbound calls domestically.
Mobile Phones
Many mobile phone services allow for a certain add-on plan that allow customers to call a few select numbers at an unlimited rate – basically free and unmetered (ie. myFaves, My Circle, Friends & Family, Pick 3). If you add your Google Voice number as one of your select “favorite” numbers, then any time you call Google Voice to make an outbound call (option 2), those minutes won’t be counted against you. Since you can use Google Voice to basically call anywhere, you will never have to worry about going over your allotted minutes.
Land Lines
For use with land lines, the same concept applies. You should always subscribe to the lowest available local calling plan. Any outbound calls should be made to your local Google Voice number, then press option 2 to make a call elsewhere. Of course, you’ll usually get unlimited inbound calls which is free with most plans.
Google Voice Talk Web Site Debut
(VOICETALK.ORG) — Welcome to Google Voice Talk — the site dedicated to the Google Voice service. I’ve been a member of Grand Central since August 7, 2007 just after it was purchased by Google. At the time, I just saw a discussion on a message board about this service, and made a public requested an invite which was fulfilled. From the buzz, I could tell the service had much potential. The service seemed to stagnate for a year with no new innovations until recently, when there were signs of life.
On March 12, 2009, Google announced that they’ve rebranded the service as Google Voice. Things started to work like calling out using your Google Voice number and they added additional features such as voicemail translated to text. Heck, I don’t even check my voicemail anymore, I just read the text. It’s that good. iPhone apps have also started to roll out making it seem more seamless. It’s an exciting time for early adopters and I’m glad to be in on the ground floor of this project.