Google Voice isn't VOIP, and other things you learn from readers | Hacker News Reader

Google Voice isn't VOIP, and other things you learn from readers

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18 pointsabennett19 comments

Google Voice = free text messaging over the data connection.

That means an end to charging rates of $1000 per MB for SMS data. The biggest ripoff they've got going would be gone.

Of course they're in no hurry to let that gravy train come to an end.

also free local calls... and ultra cheap international calls

Free local calls through your connected phones, meaning if you're on a cell phone, you still use minutes. International calls aren't billed at international rates through your carrier, since you're really only calling Google locally. Google is then dialing internationally and getting you a cheaper rate, but you're still using minutes.

To clarify, it's free outgoing messages, if you're using a GV client to send them. Incoming messages to a GV number will forward to your phone(s) at whatever rate you're being charged.

Or you could prohibit GV from sending the phone texts, but then you'd have to go online to check for incoming messages.

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.

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.

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. :)

The iPhone gives apps push functionality starting with version 3, so on a native app text messages would be instantaneous.

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).

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

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.

Is it possible to add whatever number Google calls you from when connecting incoming calls to the list of numbers that you can talk to for free? Might be possible to get all calls for free if it's always the same number, until T-Mobile blocks it from those lists.

It is possible, I have my phone set up like this now. Use one of your MyFaves for your GV number and another one for the number GV dials out to (347-234-5001). Then just forget about it and use your phone like normal- all incoming and outgoing calls will be routed through these two if you have GV installed. It works seamlessly on the mytouch.

I would really like to know how long you've been using this. Technically, this is a violation of the MyFaves terms of use. I'm wondering if, as Google Voice becomes more popular, T-Mobile may take note of MyFaves using numbers like the GV outbound dialer number.

Still, I'm signing up with T-Mobile soon and I'm likely to try this myself. :)

Actually, I had no idea this violated their terms of use. It's the only reason I signed up for T-Mobile in the first place! :) I've been using it for just over two weeks now without issue.

This page has a blog post where some people pointed out the terms of use violation: http://devin.reams.me/free-google-voice-calls-with-t-mobile-...

Apparently the text that it violates is: "Your five numbers must be US domestic numbers and must not include ... customers' own numbers; and single numbers allowing access to 500 or more persons."

I think you can easily get away with having your own Google Voice number as a MyFave. That number is unique to you and shouldn't set off red flags. What I think may be a bit more sticky is the 347-234-5001 number, which, if GV continues to take off, might get noticed because a lot of people will be "fave-ing" that specific number.

Just something to think about. I'm not sure yet if that thought is going to deter me or not from doing it myself. I'm leaning towards "no". :)

Thanks for the heads up. I just looked into my account and noticed that the dialer access number (347...) that GV is using changed for me. It seems like they are adding more numbers as it grows. What would entirely defeat the myfaves trick is if the dialer calls a random google number each time (of course I'm sure then there would be a competing 3rd party GV app that let you specify a number).

It isn't VoIP but it's setting up a great potential end-run around the cell monopolies, since it lets you route calls to any number, including VoIP numbers such as SkypeIn numbers.

Sort of. The biggest threat is to the international toll charges. And, assuming they can position Google Voice correctly, to SMS.

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