Google Voice Calls FREE in 2013

So quiet for hours since announcement... make some Voices!!

yay!

THX for posting! Great news!

jett said:   So quiet for hours since announcement... make some Voices!!
This thread beat you to it:
FW

I got the Google Voice app for my iPod touch and have been making calls on it since last week and really like it!

peste386 said:   

EDIT: I should add that the most important difference between the two is that the Google Voice app on your mobile phone still uses your plan minutes and the Google Talk app does not let you dial telephone numbers. So Google is not undermining the cell industry quite as much as people give them credit for.

Using the Groove app on your phone combined with Google Voice allows you to make/receive calls without using plan minutes. You can do the same with Skype, which has better voice quality too, in my experience (Google Voice not required with Skype, but you can use them together if you link your number).

With an Obitalk box at home, you can plug an ordinary phone in and make calls with your Google Voice account, sans 911. There is also an Obitalk phone app to link to your box, but I haven't experienced great phone quality with it yet.

You're right, the Forbes author doesn't know the difference between Google Talk and Google Voice. It's hard to find media authors who really understand what they are writing about.

peste386 said:   Google Voice does not allow you to make free phone calls from a browser or app, it is an incoming phone number that forwards the calls to a real phone number or let's you initiate an outgoing call from that same real phone number.

you need an internet connection, then, connect a bluetooth headset (or USB or just use speakers/mic) to your computer, go to gmail, click on the telephone icon on the left under your mail folders then dial a number. POOF! you just made a phone call for free from a browser without forwarding the call to another number!

The title of this thread is incorrect. This has nothing to do with Google Voice. That is a completely different product.

aadam101 said:   The title of this thread is incorrect. This has nothing to do with Google Voice. That is a completely different product.

Why did you say that? The link shows "google voice stays free." The title of the website is "Google Voice Stays Free in 2013..." The title of the thread is "Google Voice Calls FREE in 2013."

alhluu said:   aadam101 said:   The title of this thread is incorrect. This has nothing to do with Google Voice. That is a completely different product.

Why did you say that? The link shows "google voice stays free." The title of the website is "Google Voice Stays Free in 2013..." The title of the thread is "Google Voice Calls FREE in 2013."

I don't care what the article says. Google Voice is a completely different product from the product being discussed in the article. Google Voice is a virtual phone number that you can use to replace your existing phone number. You need a phone line to use Google Voice. It doesn't actually give you the ability to make any calls at all. Your phone line is still making the calls. Google Voice basically spoofs the number. Also, I believe international calls on Google Voice cost money. Google Voice has always been free (with the exception of international calls) ever since they were called GrandCentral.

I believe the OP is referencing a Google product that allows you to make calls through Gmail. This has no connection with Google Voice. The services are not integrated at all (but they probably should be).

peste386 said:   TAZ420 said:   
you need an internet connection, then, connect a bluetooth headset (or USB or just use speakers/mic) to your computer, go to gmail, click on the telephone icon on the left under your mail folders then dial a number. POOF! you just made a phone call for free from a browser without forwarding the call to another number!

Thanks for proving my point. You are exactly the type of misinformed user that I was referring to. That is not Google Voice. That is Google Talk.

I NEVER SAID THAT WAS GOOGLE VOICE!
I NEVER SAID IT WAS GOOGLE TALK!

I simply explained how to make free calls via your Google Voice number WITHOUT A CELL PHONE & WITHOUT A LANDLINE.

Google Voice uses Google Talk to make calls from the browser without a mobile/landline.
How is that so hard to understand?

ok, it's not Google Voice, it just uses my Google Voice number, shows my Google Voice balance, stores dialed calls in my Google Voice history, even your copied quote, "Many of you call phones from Gmail...", when clicked on, then click "rates", takes you to Google Voice info page.

if you've never dialed a number from Gmail before you are presented with the attached popup...
which is about what? GOOGLE VOICE!

and from twitter...
twitter said: Google Voice ‏@googlevoice
Free calling within the US and Canada through 2013 http://ow.ly/gnSmQ

aadam101 said:   alhluu said:   aadam101 said:   The title of this thread is incorrect. This has nothing to do with Google Voice. That is a completely different product.

Why did you say that? The link shows "google voice stays free." The title of the website is "Google Voice Stays Free in 2013..." The title of the thread is "Google Voice Calls FREE in 2013."

I don't care what the article says. Google Voice is a completely different product from the product being discussed in the article. Google Voice is a virtual phone number that you can use to replace your existing phone number. You need a phone line to use Google Voice. It doesn't actually give you the ability to make any calls at all. Your phone line is still making the calls. Google Voice basically spoofs the number. Also, I believe international calls on Google Voice cost money. Google Voice has always been free (with the exception of international calls) ever since they were called GrandCentral.

I believe the OP is referencing a Google product that allows you to make calls through Gmail. This has no connection with Google Voice. The services are not integrated at all (but they probably should be).

You need a phone to signup for it, not to use and continue. I've had it 2 years with obi and no landline. outgoing and incoming.

I think maybe Google needs to do a better job of branding these products. It's confusing.

LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS !! =)

MitchFlorida said:   why would anyone use Magic Jack if you can use google voice and obi? Keep it a secret though.

I don't use Magic Jack.

But you should know that google voice doesn't work for everyone. They have allotted zero numbers for Hawaii.

if all you care about is calling Canada for free, you can use your landline and broadband to make unlimited free calls to Canada. You can also use your cell phone if you are using free minutes.

MitchFlorida said:   germanpope said:   MitchFlorida said:   why would anyone use Magic Jack if you can use google voice and obi? Keep it a secret though.

I don't use Magic Jack.

But you should know that google voice doesn't work for everyone. They have allotted zero numbers for Hawaii.


Can you still get a GV California number in Hawaii and then make free calls to the entire U.S.and Canada?

I would think so
I have an account with a Seattle area code and used to use it regularly

Miro00 said:   MitchFlorida said:   germanpope said:   MitchFlorida said:   why would anyone use Magic Jack if you can use google voice and obi? Keep it a secret though.

I don't use Magic Jack.

But you should know that google voice doesn't work for everyone. They have allotted zero numbers for Hawaii.


Can you still get a GV California number in Hawaii and then make free calls to the entire U.S.and Canada?

I would think so
I have an account with a Seattle area code and used to use it regularly

VOIP.ms will give you a Hawaiian phone number for incoming calls for $5 a month. The outgoing calls would go through GV.

MitchFlorida said:   Miro00 said:   MitchFlorida said:   germanpope said:   MitchFlorida said:   why would anyone use Magic Jack if you can use google voice and obi? Keep it a secret though.

I don't use Magic Jack.

But you should know that google voice doesn't work for everyone. They have allotted zero numbers for Hawaii.


Can you still get a GV California number in Hawaii and then make free calls to the entire U.S.and Canada?

I would think so
I have an account with a Seattle area code and used to use it regularly

VOIP.ms will give you a Hawaiian phone number for incoming calls for $5 a month. The outgoing calls would go through GV.

Ooma offers Hawaii for a $30/year surcharge

Thanks for the info!!!I can now make calls through Gmail without having to wait until after 9PM when my cell phone minutes are low. The information was straight forward and easy for me to follow.