Google Voice Teams Up With Sprint

Unfortunately by OverlordQ · 2011-03-21 04:56 · Score: 3, Informative

your GV number will likely still be unsupported by nearly anything that uses shortcodes. I wish they would fix that.

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Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.

Re:Unfortunately by 0100010001010011 · 2011-03-21 05:00 · Score: 3, Insightful

And MMS. I love google voice. It's how things should work. If I'm on my computer, I can text anyone and read it on my computer. Voicemail I can listen to on my computer. The transcription will at least get me in the ball park on what the message was.
Re:Unfortunately by Tumbleweed · 2011-03-21 05:23 · Score: 2

your GV number will likely still be unsupported by nearly anything that uses shortcodes. I wish they would fix that.
This is a bad thing? Aside from SMS spam, what else uses shortcodes? Anything good?
Re:Unfortunately by s73v3r · 2011-03-21 05:33 · Score: 1

The Red Cross has a shortcode donation service that most carriers will allow a free SMS to during times of disaster, like the current situation in Japan. The $10 donation gets added on to your phone bill for the month.
Re:Unfortunately by OverlordQ · 2011-03-21 05:40 · Score: 2

This is a bad thing? Aside from SMS spam, what else uses shortcodes? Anything good?
Pretty much any service that allows alerts by SMS doesn't support GV.

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Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
Re:Unfortunately by Tumbleweed · 2011-03-21 05:40 · Score: 1

The Red Cross has a shortcode donation service that most carriers will allow a free SMS to during times of disaster, like the current situation in Japan. The $10 donation gets added on to your phone bill for the month.
Ah, true. Fortunately I can and have donated other ways. This doesn't seem like a deal-breaker to me thus far.
Re:Unfortunately by supertrinko · 2011-03-21 05:41 · Score: 1

And I'm sure your ad-blocking software is doing an excellent job of making that information useless to them.

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If it rhymes it must be true.
Re:Unfortunately by pspahn · 2011-03-21 05:59 · Score: 1

The transcription will at least get me in the ball park on what the message was.
Here is an actual transcription of a GV voice message from my inbox:

Hi Rosa, 7. We'll be there on the net. Because of sorts. Director. And since. Thank you.
Basically every other voice message I've received has been equally absurd.

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Someone flopped a steamer in the gene pool.
Re:Unfortunately by Americium · 2011-03-21 06:08 · Score: 1

I think MMS is a much bigger issue. If I you can't get pics of hot girls on your cell, nobody is gonna switch. I would have already switched to GV if it supported MMS.
Re:Unfortunately by SudoGhost · 2011-03-21 06:11 · Score: 1

...are you some kind of spy? Has the eagle left the nest? Director? Thank you.
Re:Unfortunately by jgagnon · 2011-03-21 06:23 · Score: 1

I sure hope so. :p

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Remember to maintain your supply of /facepalm oil to prevent chafing.
Re:Unfortunately by naturfreundehaus · 2011-03-21 06:33 · Score: 1

Im worried about datasecurite in this case!
Re:Unfortunately by Baloo+Uriza · 2011-03-21 06:51 · Score: 1

Some electronic parking meters let you plug 'em by short code.

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Furries make the internet go.
Re:Unfortunately by qwertyatwork · 2011-03-21 07:16 · Score: 1

It's not a short code but since gv numbers are seen as landlines you can't sign up for Amber alerts.
Re:Unfortunately by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2011-03-21 07:49 · Score: 1

It's not a short code but since gv numbers are seen as landlines you can't sign up for Amber alerts.
Sounds like a feature to me. Amber alerts don't work and the system has been abused like crazy because nobody has the balls to tell a freaked out parent that they don't qualify for an amber alert.

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When information is power, privacy is freedom.
Re:Unfortunately by Archangel+Michael · 2011-03-21 07:55 · Score: 1

Google Images has plenty of pics of hot girls, some of them are even naked and ... more. Most of it is free. MMS is stupid bridge between SMS and Full Email, which is better in just about every way than MMS.
So, quit playing like an underage teen and get a smart phone.

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Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
Re:Unfortunately by gollito · 2011-03-21 13:24 · Score: 1

I don't get the whole MMS issue. Why can't they just forward it to your gmail account?
Re:Unfortunately by ncc74656 · 2011-03-22 10:06 · Score: 1

I think MMS is a much bigger issue.
...one which is easily handled (and better handled) by email.

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20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
Re:Unfortunately by Americium · 2011-03-22 10:23 · Score: 1

How can I have a phone number that forwards MMS to my email and calls to my SIP? GV is the best solution yet there is only SMS capability.

Shit Sandwich by Anonymous Coward · 2011-03-21 04:57 · Score: 1

That's like hiding an diamond engagement ring inside a pile of shit.

Re:Shit Sandwich by sjwaste · 2011-03-21 05:34 · Score: 2

The review for "Shark Sandwich" was merely a two word review which simply read "Shit Sandwich". They cant print that!

Virgin Mobile? by OpenYourEyes · 2011-03-21 04:59 · Score: 2

Has anyone seen how this will impact Virgin Mobile users, who use the Sprint network? Last time I tried to get Google Voice working with VM, I was told that conditional call forwarding was not available, thus making it a bit less than useful.

What this does demonstrate is that the cell carriers should focus on what they're at least moderately competent at - building and running the infrastructure and letting someone else run the features that make use of it.

Re:Virgin Mobile? by zarthrag · 2011-03-21 05:13 · Score: 1

Agreed, I just switched to Virgin myself ($150 outright for an LG Optimus V, less than $28 a month for unlimited text/data/300min...WITH TAXES! No contract) I flat out had their VM turned off so that my VM through google voice would be sane. But, for the price, I'm quite happy. But "seamless" number support would not mean much unless GV had a desktop client, and ALL android phones get wifi calling capability.

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Why can't all fpga/microcontroller manufacturers just release free optimizing compilers???
Re:Virgin Mobile? by scubamage · 2011-03-21 05:15 · Score: 1

In the 3GPP/IMS/PacketCable 3.0 specs they're trying to do just that. Honestly a lot of the technology is still in development, but it is where things are headed. It allows for better scaling since companies that focus on features/applications can do just that, while the companies that provide infrastructure can scale each of their components separately without having to constantly rebuild their application systems or rely on soft switch upgrades (in pre-3GPP/IMS deployments) to scale upwards. Sadly a lot of companies are still using legacy infrastructure which depends on soft-switches for everything.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by ynp7 · 2011-03-21 05:48 · Score: 1

It'd be really nice if this would eventually make it to VM, seeing as how they're owned by Sprint and their data plans are ridiculously cheap. The only real downside to Virgin is that their smartphone offerings are pretty low end. The best Android phone they've got is the Samsung Intercept and it's 3.2" screen is only 240x400.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by SudoGhost · 2011-03-21 06:12 · Score: 1

While GV doesn't have a desktop client, they do have an addon for Chrome which is quite useful, it allows you to use the browser to send and receive texts.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by Mr.+Slippery · 2011-03-21 06:41 · Score: 2

The only real downside to Virgin is that their smartphone offerings are pretty low end.
Unless you never leave large cities, Virgin's paucity of smartphones is much less important than the absence of roaming on their plans.

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Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
You cannot wash away blood with blood
Re:Virgin Mobile? by afidel · 2011-03-21 06:58 · Score: 1

Optimus V, 3.2" 320*480, processor isn't the fastest but the only slowdown I've noticed is when the stupid javascript heavy ads make angry birds a bit sluggish.

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There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by ynp7 · 2011-03-21 07:42 · Score: 1

Why would anyone want to leave a large city? You're just talking crazy!
Re:Virgin Mobile? by afidel · 2011-03-21 08:53 · Score: 1

Looks like you can get a VM phone provisioned with an IMEI from the Sprint pool if you use AirRave, apparently there's a new version of the AirRave coming out this year that doesn't have that requirement.

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There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by ynp7 · 2011-03-21 10:10 · Score: 1

Optimus V lacks a physical keyboard. This would be a deal breaker even on a phone without a tiny 3.2" display. Obviously they work for some people but I've used half a dozen touch screen phones and the virtual keyboards weren't within a mile of acceptable for even minimal use on any of them. Otherwise, yeah, the specs on the Optimus are definitely decent enough.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by afidel · 2011-03-21 12:54 · Score: 1

For serious work I agree, that's why my work phone is a EVO Shift 4G. However for checking email, google navigation, and entering appointments, which is what my wife uses hers for, it's quite sufficient.

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There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by djhertz · 2011-03-21 13:52 · Score: 1

I've looked around, I haven't seen any information about a new AirRave this year. Do you have more information on it? Or could you point me in that direction good sir? What I really want is to just be able to buy a box, plug it in, and boom, instant bars. The Network Extender I have for my Verizon phone is like that, it's wonderful!

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Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise - William Shakespeare
Re:Virgin Mobile? by enaso1970 · 2011-03-21 23:23 · Score: 1

For a larger city.
Re:Virgin Mobile? by MoxFulder · 2011-03-23 04:54 · Score: 1

Thanks for the info.
Any idea when this will become available for existing GV users? I have a Sprint Android phone, and use GV heavily, but no options have yet appeared for me to combine the two. I'm wondering if the hold-up has anything to do with the fact that I ported my number from Verizon to Sprint several years ago.

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My bicyles

SMS? by OpenYourEyes · 2011-03-21 05:01 · Score: 1

Any indication how the SMS will be handled? Google Voice has a pretty bad reputation for dealing with SMS messages, particularly Short Codes, although a lot of companies that promise to send you an SMS message are unable to handle a Google Voice Number and will silently drop the SMS message in these cases.

Re:SMS? by Animats · 2011-03-21 05:42 · Score: 1

Google Voice has a pretty bad reputation for dealing with SMS messages,
That's been an ongoing problem. A year ago I dumped Google Voice for Twilo because of that. Google Voice gets its phone numbers from some third-tier telecom broker, one that has trouble identifying which numbers are considered "mobile" to the rest of the system. Getting their numbers via Sprint ought to help.

MMS? by junkfish · 2011-03-21 05:01 · Score: 1

When is GV gonna allow Multimedia Messaging?
I am stuck in 2002 with my 2010 phone.

Re:MMS? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-03-21 05:35 · Score: 2, Insightful

When is GV gonna allow Multimedia Messaging?
I am stuck in 2002 with my 2010 phone.
How is MMS even relevant these days? My wife and friends send pictures to/from our mobiles all the time using this really cool technology called e-mail. Personally I always hated when someone would send me an MMS message- why send me a message that I and you have to pay for, when you could just send it via email and its free for both parties?
Re:MMS? by LanMan04 · 2011-03-21 05:41 · Score: 2, Informative

There's this amazing technology called EMAIL you may have heard of. I understand it's even available on smart phones...

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With the first link, the chain is forged.
Re:MMS? by Pros_n_Cons · 2011-03-21 07:31 · Score: 1

Not everyone has a data plan on their phone. to these people isn't MMS less expensive? Plus they dont have to ask for you e-mail. I have sprint on GV and it does bug me from time to time when a hot chick txt's did you get that picture? And i've gotta respond with my e-mail, or my real sprint number and ask her to send it again.

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-- "of course thats just my opinion, I could be wrong." --Dennis Miller
Re:MMS? by Archangel+Michael · 2011-03-21 08:00 · Score: 1

same can be said of SMS as well. Not just MMS. I don't have a TXT plan on my phone, and it ticks me off that people send me texts instead of email.

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Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
Re:MMS? by norminator · 2011-03-21 08:06 · Score: 1

My corporate AT&T Blackberry plan doesn't allow for MMS, even though I have data and SMS... But I can send an e-mail to my wife's phone [10-digit-number]@tmomail.net, and she can send an MMS to my e-mail address... so we get essentially the same functionality. It's a bit of a hassle, but not terrible.

But really, we don't use it anyway.
Re:MMS? by mrchaotica · 2011-03-21 09:41 · Score: 1

Google Voice is too cumbersome to use on non-smartphones (you have to dial your GV number, enter your PIN, go through a menu, and then dial the number you actually wanted to call). All smartphones have data plans. Therefore, practically any phone with GV has a data plan.

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:MMS? by sootman · 2011-03-21 12:45 · Score: 1

Jesus fucking christ, why does someone have to bring this up in EVERY SINGLE THREAD about MMS?
You know how you can call someone on the telephone and it rings instantly and you can talk to them in real-time because that's how the network is set up? And you know how texting is usually more-or less instant, because it's built on the same technology? And MMS is an extension of that and works pretty quickly for all the same reasons? And you know how all of this works with a thing called a "phone number" which (by an amazing coincidence) is something that every single cell phone on the planet has?
Compare that to email, which requires having a separate account, setting up that account on the phone, sharing that account information with other people, and figuring out a way to get email onto the phone promptly. Plus email has to get routed through a whole other set of servers, bringing in more potential problems. (Delays from slow servers, spam filtering, etc.) THAT is why some people like to use MMS.

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Re:MMS? by squiggleslash · 2011-03-21 12:51 · Score: 1

You use email? That's so 1990s. My wife uses this great technology called MMS all the time, sends the picture directly to the phones of anyone she messages. Has the added benefit you don't need to program everyone's email address into your phone.

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You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
Re:MMS? by Shadow+of+Eternity · 2011-03-21 16:57 · Score: 1

Even on an 800mhz processor GV is cumbersome ON a smartphone, the app is extremely unresponsive compared to anything else I've used.

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A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
Re:MMS? by mrchaotica · 2011-03-22 09:13 · Score: 1

I can't say I agree; on my (fairly low-end) Samsung Intercept, it's no more laggy than anything else. (It could just be that since everything's a little laggy, I'm used to it.)

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:MMS? by Shadow+of+Eternity · 2011-03-22 15:05 · Score: 1

That is the exact phone I have and compared to typing in any other app GV is extremely slow, I routinely out-type it and need to wait sometimes several seconds for it to catch up. Everything else works fine however, even the notorious dialer.

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A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
Re:MMS? by mrchaotica · 2011-03-22 19:27 · Score: 1

Typing? ...Oh I see, you can send text messages with it. I never send text messages; I would have assumed it integrated with the messaging app the same way it does with the dialer.

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

GV still doesn't support sms via email by alen · 2011-03-21 05:04 · Score: 2

if i want to text someone from my email i just text it to number@vtext.com. every carrier has this except Google as i found out recently.

after using GV it's nice for anonymous things like selling on craigslist and the VM transcription is pretty good, but absolutely useless in the real world for most cell phone uses. don't really care about having a single number for all my phones. when i sold my old iphones it annoyed my wife that the house phone was ringing all the time and i took it off from GV.

i guess it's cool if you're single and have no kids

Re:GV still doesn't support sms via email by ricera10 · 2011-03-21 05:08 · Score: 2

i guess it's cool if you're single and have no kids
The average slashdotter, then.

Sprint user here by basotl · 2011-03-21 05:17 · Score: 4, Insightful

As a user of Google voice and Sprint my ears automatically perked up for this article. At the same time I am unsure if I would actually use it. I have enjoyed having Google voice and I tend to give out the number for people that demand a home number or those that are more public.... business contacts, ect. The separate number is a feature for me to act as my fake business/home number so that I am not giving my cell number out to everyone.

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HTC EVO 4G LTE w/ CM 10.2 | NookColor w/ CM 10.2 | Samsung Epic 4G w/ CM 10.1

Re:Sprint user here by Chaos+Incarnate · 2011-03-21 05:39 · Score: 1

For someone who's been giving out their Google Voice number from the start, they're probably better off with a separate number. This is more idea for people like, well, me—I'd like to use Google Voice, but I've had the same phone number for over a decade and don't really want to start giving a new number to everybody.

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Benford's Corollary to Clarke's Law: "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced."
Re:Sprint user here by Pros_n_Cons · 2011-03-21 07:38 · Score: 1

I'll be keeping my sprint and gv separate as well. Added my GV number to sprint@home so every call i make through google voice is free. cant do that if sprint is my number.

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-- "of course thats just my opinion, I could be wrong." --Dennis Miller
Re:Sprint user here by Fieryphoenix · 2011-03-21 08:49 · Score: 2

When I switched POTS carriers recently, I faced losing my phone number of 14 years due to porting issues. I took the route of porting my number to a prepaid mobile service, then porting it to Google Voice. Ran me $55 all told, but worth it to me to keep that number.

SIP? by e9th · 2011-03-21 05:18 · Score: 1

I would be happy if GV were to officially support SIP.

What's in it for Sprint? by papasui · 2011-03-21 05:21 · Score: 4, Interesting

Whenever I read of companies teaming up like this, the first thing I try to identify is what each brings to the plate. I can see why Google wins by getting their voice service exposed to hundred of thousands, if not millions more potential users. But what does Sprint get out all of this? Do they think it will attract new customers? I'm sure it will bring some new people to Sprint.. But I really, really, doubt that that this is the magic bullet to move a lot of users over..

Re:What's in it for Sprint? by s73v3r · 2011-03-21 05:37 · Score: 2

But what does Sprint get out all of this?
Well, there is something to be said about being the new carrier for flagship Android phones, now that T-Mobile is having their technical distinctiveness absorbed by AT&T. But if I had to guess, I'm guessing its fat sacks of cash money.
Re:What's in it for Sprint? by crhylove · 2011-03-21 06:42 · Score: 1

Well this and AT&T buying T Mobile has certainly got me shopping around, and my two potential suitors are Sprint and Virgin at the moment.

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Re:What's in it for Sprint? by mldi · 2011-03-21 08:49 · Score: 1

Explain this? The call-forwarding required to set up GV voicemail has been free for awhile from Sprint.

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If you aren't suspicious of your government's actions, you aren't doing your job as a responsible citizen.
Re:What's in it for Sprint? by mldi · 2011-03-21 08:50 · Score: 1

my two potential suitors are Sprint and Virgin at the moment.
They're the same network...
With clearly different plans, prices, customer support, etc etc etc.

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If you aren't suspicious of your government's actions, you aren't doing your job as a responsible citizen.
Re:What's in it for Sprint? by iiiears · 2011-03-21 10:14 · Score: 1

Google ISP?

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15TW = 15,000 Nuclear Reactors. (Approx. one accident a month.)
Re:What's in it for Sprint? by Asdanf · 2011-03-21 19:08 · Score: 1

Traditional Google Voice allows free texting. With this new Sprint-GV thing, Sprint charges you the normal rate for all your GV texts. It may just be defending that revenue stream. Also international calls used to be cheaper on GV I think.

Google+CellNetwork by LoudMusic · 2011-03-21 05:21 · Score: 1

I had hoped that Google would jump in bed with T-Mobile, but clearly that's not going to happen now. If they could snuggle up with Verizon it would be better than nothing. Mostly I just want some dramatic changes to the way cellular service is provided.

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No sig for you. YOU GET NO SIG!

Re:GV+Shortcodes by basotl · 2011-03-21 05:22 · Score: 1

I've never texted to a short code. Is there anything besides marketing gimmicks that use them?

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HTC EVO 4G LTE w/ CM 10.2 | NookColor w/ CM 10.2 | Samsung Epic 4G w/ CM 10.1

GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by poyntek · 2011-03-21 05:26 · Score: 1

Google Voice is a real money saver for me, not only can you use it on your mobile phone but with a little help from some other free VOIP services, you can create your one free land line for your home or office that rings when someone calls your Google Voice number. I did this and It's great for me. Read this if you would like to see how to do this... http://www.tech-adventures.com/2011/02/make-your-own-free-phone-service-by.html

Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by exhilaration · 2011-03-21 06:21 · Score: 1

With the right device you don't even need a SIP provider. I'm waiting for the OBi 100 to be released (April 2011 for only $45), this is the first device that can talk directly to Google Voice without an intermediary SIP provider. Their currently available OBi 110 apparently has the same feature, it's just more than I'm willing to pay.
Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by bloosh · 2011-03-21 07:02 · Score: 1

The Obi110 is an incredible device. I got it for $49.99 from Amazon about a month ago during a brief window when they had them in stock.
If you follow Obihai on Twitter or keep an eye on their forums, you'll see announcements of when Amazon will have them for $49.99 again, but you've got to be quick.
The call quality with GV on the Obi is much better than my POTS line.
Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by exhilaration · 2011-03-21 07:08 · Score: 1

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye on the twitter feed. $50 for the Obi110 with two ports, I'd totally go for that.
Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by Chyeld · 2011-03-21 07:12 · Score: 1

Or you can go really all out: Incredible PBX, and have a complete PBX system with only the need of an internet connection.
Till it was reaffirmed for me that AT&T is an ass-hole company on par with Bank of America, and won't sell dry loops for DSL unless you have some other service with them, I was considering the upcoming bandwidth caps they are putting in place as an excuse to move to a non-major Telco like DSL Extreme and use the above to replace the phone line.
However now it looks like I'll have to keep a basic line alive just to get the DSL loop, so it's looking more like it'll just be a 'geek' project once I find suitable hardware for it.
Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by Chyeld · 2011-03-21 07:37 · Score: 1

My mistake in terminology, AT&T will not provide access to their lines for other companies unless you are carrying service with them.
In other words, if I want to have DSL Extreme (a national DSL provider that deals primarily with Verizon) be my DSL provider, I can do so, but only if I have at least basic phone with AT&T. AT&T will not simply lease the line as other telco's will do. (For instance Verizon).
I can get just DSL with AT&T, but since my reason for the move was due to the fact that currently I utilize over twice the amount of bandwidth on my line as the new caps will allow, it makes little sense to do so.
Thanks for looking though.
Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by mrchaotica · 2011-03-21 09:51 · Score: 1

Wait, so you can get AT&T dry-loop DSL on AT&T-owned lines, but not a competitor's dry-loop DSL? That sounds blatantly illegally anti-competitive to me, even by AT&T standards!

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:GV + SIP = FREE PHONE LINE by Chyeld · 2011-03-21 10:40 · Score: 1

Yes. Yes it does. Sadly, I don't see the government doing squat about it.

Re:GV+Shortcodes by spire3661 · 2011-03-21 05:27 · Score: 1

Short codes are bad, would you be as forgiving if she was calling 900/976 numbers? Its roughly the same type of operators running most of those systems. Scammers.

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Good-bye

Great news if you have poor reception! by Shompol · 2011-03-21 05:35 · Score: 2

My parents have poor reception both at work and in their mountain home. With Google Voice on the same number they will have a stable VOIP alternative any time they are in the vicinity of a WIFI. T-Mobile was going to introduce VOIP-over-WIFI on some Android phones, but AT&T-mobile might extinguish those plans.

Looks like Sprint is the only less-evil major provider left after T-mobile is eaten. I will have to seriously consider them for my next contract, even though they are on CDMA and have rather weak coverage.

Re:Great news if you have poor reception! by James+Carnley · 2011-03-21 07:21 · Score: 1

Sadly, Google Voice is not yet VOIP without a lot of extremely technical hackery.
They are experimenting with VOIP support, but it might be a while and there is no guarantee it will be allowed by Sprint :(
Re:Great news if you have poor reception! by Shompol · 2011-03-21 15:52 · Score: 1

I have done a few VOIP calls from Google Gmail/Voice recently, and it's pretty solid. All you need is a PC. Sprint might disallow VOIP calls from a smartphone but from a PC it is trivial.

No news by defaria · 2011-03-21 06:19 · Score: 1

I don't get it. I got a GV number. I already use it. I already use Google voicemail, etc. About the only thing I can see this teaming up as buying you is that you can use your old Sprint phone number. I've already went through the exercise of telling everybody my GV number instead of my Sprint number. In my mind my Sprint number is already considered a hidden or private number. Why would I want to now go back and tell everybody "Oh you remember my phone number that I gave you? That was really a Google Voice number. Nevermind what that was. Use my new number, which was my old Sprint number instead". Talk about simply adding confusion...

Re:No news by James+Carnley · 2011-03-21 07:24 · Score: 1

This obviously isn't intended for you. Nobody said it was. Basic logic should cause you to skip over it since you've already made the transition.
This is intended for normal Sprint users who just use their phone as normal. Now instead of jumping through hoops and using apps or workarounds, they can simply flip a switch and suddenly receive all of the great Google Voice features for free. Free along with easy is a huge selling point.
Re:No news by MoxFulder · 2011-03-21 12:27 · Score: 1
This obviously isn't intended for you. Nobody said it was. Basic logic should cause you to skip over it since you've already made the transition.
This is intended for normal Sprint users who just use their phone as normal. Now instead of jumping through hoops and using apps or workarounds, they can simply flip a switch and suddenly receive all of the great Google Voice features for free. Free along with easy is a huge selling point.
Heck, I'm an early adopter of GV and a Sprint customer as well... and I'm very happy for this change.
Benefits of "built-in" GV integration for people like me and the grandparent poster, who already have Google Voice and fancy smartphones:
- The Android GV app uses background data, which eats battery. If GV texts are transmitted at the CDMA level, they'll use less battery.
- Android requires a data connection for GV texts and calls, so they're less reliable in marginal coverage areas, and you can't get texts during calls. A low-level text message can get through almost everywhere, and during a call.
- We'll be able to block spam calls to our private Sprint numbers using the Google Voice interface.
The longer-term benefit of this change, I hope, is that it will show other wireless companies that they should concentrate on building good and flexible networks, and let others provide useful services on top of them, rather than pursuing rent-seeking, walled-garden approaches (like charging for over-the-air downloads and crippling Bluetooth file exchange).
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My bicyles

Re:desperation move by ZosX · 2011-03-21 06:21 · Score: 2

So if GSM is so important, you are left with AT&T now. Hope you like AT&T!

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zosxavius photography

Google Buys Sprint by njhunter · 2011-03-21 06:54 · Score: 1

Would make AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA easier for the regulators.

Re:Hijacked By Google Voice by mldi · 2011-03-21 08:51 · Score: 1

Google voice has taken over my voicemail... I am no longer able to get my voicemail form T*Mobile! I've tried to fix the problem, but as with all things Google, there is little support and now my VM is in limbo!! Don't do it!!

So, you're blaming someone else for your own decisions and inability to read clear on-screen instructions right inside your GV account. Bravo.

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If you aren't suspicious of your government's actions, you aren't doing your job as a responsible citizen.

Will sprint try to charge for text 2 voicemail? by witherstaff · 2011-03-21 13:39 · Score: 1

I notice that Sprint offers voicemail to text for 2.99 a month as an addon feature. Now if they're combined either sprint gives up on this income source or they start charging for this GV feature. Although, if Google starts to actually charge for GV then it may be a break even proposition.

Re:Will sprint try to charge for text 2 voicemail? by Stupendoussteve · 2011-03-22 17:05 · Score: 1

They're not combined, it is an optional account feature, and really only useful on smartphones. The VM to Text is still useful for anybody who doesn't opt-in, or doesn't have a smartphone.

Make GV number a "freind" = Unlimited Talk Time by poyntek · 2011-03-22 08:35 · Score: 1

Some mobile plans have that "you can call a few friends for free" plan. Guess what happens when you make your Google Voice number one of your "friends" Read this. http://www.tech-adventures.com/2011/03/make-google-voice-your-freind-and.html

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Google Voice Teams Up With Sprint

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