Nexus 5 likely to see Wi-Fi calling over T-mobile soon?

[akuki]

They already are. It's called Google Fiber. Comcast is running so scared they just doubled their speed in a bunch of markets, mine included. I dumped cable TV about 6 months ago though (now I just get OTA channels... and Netflix, etc. on my Chromecast).

It was really a throwaway remark. Just seems like Google Fiber is taking so long, the Internet providers are scurrying to invest in capital so they can keep their gigs, so they can jack up their prices to offset the losses in phone and TV services we're cutting. They know the Internet will be their final product standing.

So happy to see all the free and near-free digital options in music, TV, movies, & books. The libraries have amazing offerings. Soon I'll be a chord cutter like you.

Sent from my Nexus 5 via Android Central App

 

[yfan]

Do I keep the Google Voice app to receive my GV incoming calls? Or does Hangouts app receive my GV calls?

Nope. There is an option in the Hangouts settings (provided this feature has been rolled out to your account) where you can check it to ring your GV calls on Hangouts. Be careful though, if your Google Voice number is set to forward to the same phone you're using, when that number starts ringing, it will override the Hangouts incoming call. I simply unchecked that option (forwarding on only to Gmail).

I'm going to test, but from a look at the settings, I think this one is a yes: Can I use another GV# (with it's respective Gmail account name) to call out using the same Hangouts app?

Haven't tried this myself, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[cb474]

[*]Nexus 6 will have some native characteristic that Nexus 4 & 5 have lacked, enabling it to meet T-Mo's existing requirements for Wi-Fi calling.

This seems extremely unlikely since, afaik, T-Mo has had to implement proprietary software/firmware to devices to allow for it. Of course, if it were something inherent to Android L that enabled it, the earlier Nexus will also also, upon update, enjoy compatibility.
​

Is this unlikely? Now that iOS supports wifi calling natively, why wouldn't Android potentially do it also? And given that other carriers (like AT&T) are moving toward introducing wifi calling, it would make sense to solve the problem at the OS level. It doesn't seem like something that would be too complicated.

I'm also wondering about the new Moto X Pure Edition. If T-Mobile doesn't sell the Moto X directly, but you can buy it from Motorola for T-Mobile, will it support wifi calling? What if T-Mobile sells the Moto X directly (like I believe they did with the original Moto X) but without any brandling or bloatware as they did before? Does that mean no wifi-calling like the original Moto X?

In the long run, this just seems like a mess that Google doesn't need. It doesn't help the Android brand to have to worry about which phones may or may not have what features on what network, etc. It's part of the fragmentation issue. Apple tries to pack every frequency for every carrier into one phone to make it simple. Google may not be able to make the handset manufacturers do this with the hardware. But if they can do something at the OS level with wifi calling to make Android more universal, it seems like a no brainer.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Is this unlikely? Now that iOS supports wifi calling natively, why wouldn't Android potentially do it also? And given that other carriers (like AT&T) are moving toward introducing wifi calling, it would make sense to solve the problem at the OS level. It doesn't seem like something that would be too complicated.

I'm also wondering about the new Moto X Pure Edition. If T-Mobile doesn't sell the Moto X directly, but you can buy it from Motorola for T-Mobile, will it support wifi calling? What if T-Mobile sells the Moto X directly (like I believe they did with the original Moto X) but without any brandling or bloatware as they did before? Does that mean no wifi-calling like the original Moto X?

In the long run, this just seems like a mess that Google doesn't need. It doesn't help the Android brand to have to worry about which phones may or may not have what features on what network, etc. It's part of the fragmentation issue. Apple tries to pack every frequency for every carrier into one phone to make it simple. Google may not be able to make the handset manufacturers do this with the hardware. But if they can do something at the OS level with wifi calling to make Android more universal, it seems like a no brainer.

One can already do Wi-Fi calling with the Nexus 4 or 5 -- just not via the means which T-Mo specifically supports. They will be able to offer it with the iPhone 6 regardless because they have models specifically built for them, to which they can have prerequisite code added.

So the question is as to exactly why the N6 will be compatible, when they don't have such access to having it customized.

 

[JeffDenver]

I can tell you it isn't charged, and you don't have to remove your SIM. As far as T-Mobile is concerned, it isn't even a call. It's just an app using data. Tons of VoIP apps do this - Vonage Mobile, Facebook Messenger, and even Whatsapp (I think). Besides, you can do it on a Nexus 5, and Nexus 5, according to T-Mobile isn't even WiFi calling capable (heh, heh, heh).

Technically it's not. Thats why you can only make outgoing wifi calls...if people dial your number, your hangouts dialer won't ring. It's still awesome, but it isn;t real wifi calling yet.

Calls over internet are no big deal...thats been done forever. What makes this different is that it does not involve any nerd workarounds. It's not an IM message service that is jury-rigged for calls. You can dial real numbers with it. It integrates into the actual phone network.

 

[JeffDenver]

Nope. There is an option in the Hangouts settings (provided this feature has been rolled out to your account) where you can check it to ring your GV calls on Hangouts. Be careful though, if your Google Voice number is set to forward to the same phone you're using, when that number starts ringing, it will override the Hangouts incoming call. I simply unchecked that option (forwarding on only to Gmail).

I just tried this. It will not allow me to get incoming calls on my tablet...so the incoming call is not "really" going through Google voice. You still need an actual phone.

 

[yfan]

Technically it's not. Thats why you can only make outgoing wifi calls...if people dial your number, your hangouts dialer won't ring.

Yes it will. Mine has been for at least the past 3 days now. Again, you have to turn on the option to do so, provided it has been rolled out to your account. This feature is still in the rollout phase. If it has been rolled out to you, you should be able to access the following option:

• Make sure you have installed Hangouts Dialer from the Play Store.
• Go to Hangouts Settings.
• Tap on the account which your Google voice number is associated with.
• Scroll down to "Google Voice - (XYZ) 123-4567, that being your GV number.
• Check the checkbox that says "Incoming phone calls".
• Then *turn off forwarding* to your mobile number from your Google Voice settings on the web.

It won't work unless you turn this option on manually. It isn't turned on by default. Do the same on your tablet.

 

[JeffDenver]

Yes it will. Mine has been for at least the past 3 days now. Again, you have to turn on the option to do so, provided it has been rolled out to your account. This feature is still in the rollout phase. If it has been rolled out to you, you should be able to access the following option:

• Go to Hangouts Settings.
• Tap on the account which your Google voice number is associated with.
• Scroll down to "Google Voice - (XYZ) 123-4567, that being your GV number
• Check the checkbox that says "Incoming phone calls"
• Then *turn off forwarding* to your mobile number from your Google Voice settings on the web

It won't work unless you turn this option on manually. It isn't turned on by default. Do the same on your tablet.

Wow, it does work.

The key step is the last one...you have to go into you actual Google Voice account and uncheck your cell number under "forward calls to". My normal cell number still works normally as well, and GV number calls go to both my tablet and phone.

 

[yfan]

Wow, it does work.

The key step is the last one...you have to go into you actual Google Voice account and uncheck your cell number under "forward calls to". My normal cell number still works normally as well, and GV number calls go to both my tablet and phone.

Yes, well, this is because when a calls comes to your phone (i.e. the phone app rather than any other), it is designed to take your device over and override any other functions. When I had the forwarding turned on, I would notice a moment of ringing on the Hangouts app before screen was taken over by the phone app and there was nothing I could do to get back to the Hangouts app without hanging up the phone (which also hung up the Hangouts call, since it sends the call to voicemail).

 

[Old Stoneface]

Technically it's not. Thats why you can only make outgoing wifi calls...if people dial your number, your hangouts dialer won't ring.

Mine does. I just tested it again, calling my Google Voice number from my work desk phone. In fact: Here's how cool this is: When you call my GV number: It rings on both my handset and my tablet

Being as my new handset would not likely have T-Mobile "native" WiFi calling (at least not right away), I looked at the options and decided to see if Hangouts + Hangouts Dialer would work for me. So I re-installed/-enabled Hangouts on both my wife's and my handsets and tablets, and installed Hangouts Dialer on all. Tested a variety of calls, incl. handset/handset, tablet/handset, tablet/table, to/from Hangouts and wireless numbers. Everything worked flawlessly, save: Audio level on speakerphone using Hangouts on my handset was very weak. I blame that on the handset, because the speakerphone is weak on it with wireless calls, and the tablets worked fine as speakerphones. And it takes a loooooong time for calls to be established. I can see callers giving up.

To receive incoming calls you have to have the Hangouts Dialer installed, then, in Hangouts, go into Settings and check "incoming phone calls."

ETA: I see somebody beat me to the punch. Well, no matter: I'll leave the above as another success story/data point

 

[cb474]

One can already do Wi-Fi calling with the Nexus 4 or 5 -- just not via the means which T-Mo specifically supports. They will be able to offer it with the iPhone 6 regardless because they have models specifically built for them, to which they can have prerequisite code added.

So the question is as to exactly why the N6 will be compatible, when they don't have such access to having it customized.

Yes, I understand that there are other services that provide wifi calling which would work on any phone. People have been talking about Google Hangouts. Skype is an obvious other example. There have been many app based services like this for a long time (as well as of course Android's native support for SIP). I wasn't talking about that. I was addressing what you discuss in the OP, T-Mobiles own wifi calling service.

I consider the other methods a work around. They require having a different phone number, different voicemail. They will not seemlessly transfer a call from cellular to wifi (which I believe is coming with VoLTE). All around a more clunky experience.

I don't think you're correct about the iPhone 6. There is no special model for T-Mobile. Apple has baked the wifi calling code natively into iOS. See: www . gsmarena . com/us_carrier_at_t_wont_offer_wifi_calling_until_2015-news-9637.php. I'm assuming a simple upgrade to iOS 8, even on older iPhones, will enable the feature.

So that was the point I was making, if Apple is now natively supporting wifi calling in iOS for T-Mobile and for AT&T, when they start wifi calling in 2015, why couldn't, at least hypothetically, Google do this with Android? In the OP, you suggest such a solution for the Nexus 6 is unlikely. But to me it seems that if iOS is doing this natively now, perhaps Android will start doing it natively too. And a Nexus device would be the obvious place to debut new OS level features.

 

[JeffDenver]

I consider the other methods a work around. They require having a different phone number, different voicemail.

No. That is incorrect.

You can merge your current cell number with Google Voice if you want. It's not a requirement, but it's an option. It will turn your current cell number into a Google Voice number.

I personally like Google's solution because it means wifi calling is no longer carrier dependent. If I switch to another carrier, for whatever reason, I will have the exact same capability I did before. I also don't have to buy a branded phone to get wifi calling.

 

[bbycrts]

So...before the topic veered wildly into what Google Voice and Hangouts can do and all that the discussion was about TMobile WiFi calling.

I'm holding onto my Nexus 5 for now - maybe - hoping that Android L will have a native WiFi calling solution that uses my existing TMobile phone number and seamlessly uses WiFi or the cellular system as appropriate to route calls. I don't have an interest in Google Voice or any other solution. I want my TMobile phone number to use my TMobile cellular bands for phone calls unless there is a better WiFi solution available, and I don't want to have to do any tweaking or porting to make it happen. I don't mind a one-time installation of new software or configuration of settings following the Android L upgrade, but beyond that - I want it out of sight, out of mind.

What do we think? Is native WiFi calling that works in conjunction with cellular voice going to happen in Android L?

 

[rrballer11]

Yes, I understand that there are other services that provide wifi calling which would work on any phone. People have been talking about Google Hangouts. Skype is an obvious other example. There have been many app based services like this for a long time (as well as of course Android's native support for SIP). I wasn't talking about that. I was addressing what you discuss in the OP, T-Mobiles own wifi calling service.

I consider the other methods a work around. They require having a different phone number, different voicemail. They will not seemlessly transfer a call from cellular to wifi (which I believe is coming with VoLTE). All around a more clunky experience.

I don't think you're correct about the iPhone 6. There is no special model for T-Mobile. Apple has baked the wifi calling code natively into iOS. See: www . gsmarena . com/us_carrier_at_t_wont_offer_wifi_calling_until_2015-news-9637.php. I'm assuming a simple upgrade to iOS 8, even on older iPhones, will enable the feature.

So that was the point I was making, if Apple is now natively supporting wifi calling in iOS for T-Mobile and for AT&T, when they start wifi calling in 2015, why couldn't, at least hypothetically, Google do this with Android? In the OP, you suggest such a solution for the Nexus 6 is unlikely. But to me it seems that if iOS is doing this natively now, perhaps Android will start doing it natively too. And a Nexus device would be the obvious place to debut new OS level features.

They have to do it

Posted via Android Central App

 

[JeffDenver]

You can currently make free calls to the US and Canada (from the US and Canada) through Google Voice on a computer without it being tied to your phone, so I don't see why they couldn't also do that through a phone over Wi-Fi while only using data.

"...other calls might come with a charge." could just be referring to international rates and, if they ever change it, domestic calling that would be billed to you, it doesn't necessarily mean it would use your minutes.

You can. I did it this morning. I can make and receive calls on my wifi Nexus 7. My google voice number rings to me cell and tablet at the same time.

You just need the hangouts Dialer app and an updated version of Hangouts. And a Google Voice number. If I cancelled my cell service right now, people calling me would not know. Because my phones would still work.

 

[JeffDenver]

So...before the topic veered wildly into what Google Voice and Hangouts can do and all that the discussion was about TMobile WiFi calling.

Becuase Hangouts has made Wifi calling on T-Mobile largely superfluous. It's turned from "OMG" to "BFD" overnight.

I'd still like to have it, but GV wifi calling is no longer tied to my carrier, which is a big deal IMO. It means you no longer need to have a carrier to have a working phone.

What do we think? Is native WiFi calling that works in conjunction with cellular voice going to happen in Android L?

I doubt it. I think thats something Google would have deliberately included in their preview presentations. If they had it, they'd be letting everyone know it's coming.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I don't think you're correct about the iPhone 6. There is no special model for T-Mobile. Apple has baked the wifi calling code natively into iOS. See: www . gsmarena . com/us_carrier_at_t_wont_offer_wifi_calling_until_2015-news-9637.php. I'm assuming a simple upgrade to iOS 8, even on older iPhones, will enable the feature.

So that was the point I was making, if Apple is now natively supporting wifi calling in iOS for T-Mobile and for AT&T, when they start wifi calling in 2015, why couldn't, at least hypothetically, Google do this with Android? In the OP, you suggest such a solution for the Nexus 6 is unlikely. But to me it seems that if iOS is doing this natively now, perhaps Android will start doing it natively too. And a Nexus device would be the obvious place to debut new OS level features.

Let me clarify my point regarding models specific to carrier by example:

Model A1549 is an iPhone 6 available for GSM carriers in N. America. But there are further model clarifications by carrier. An iPhone 6 64GB in Space Gray (GSM) is model MG5A2LL/A for T-Mobile, model MG4W2LL/A for AT&T, and MG3H2CL/A unlocked for Canadian carriers. So while the hardware may be identical, the phones for T-Mobile and AT&T are customized to some degree -- this may be just carrier-locking them, but likely also involves brand logos and, per my original point, may entail carrier-specific firmware modifications to optimize for their networks (such as for specific compatibility with T-Mobile's existing WiFi calling system).

Certainly there is native support for Wi-Fi calling on the device via iOS, but that does not preclude T-Mobile's current compatibility (and iirc, they're the only one -- other than their parent company -- to offer it at the moment) stemming from Apple having performed a firmware patch for their carrier-specific phones to allow it to work today with an existing solution in advance of another system not yet deployed.

I said in my OP that it was unlikely that the N6 would have a native characteristic that the N5 lacked which would enable it to perform WiFi calling where the N5 would not, and believe this remains true since Google historically allows no direct hardware/firmware modifications by carrier.

And you're right -- if compatibility is stemming from a change in the OS to allow for it, that it would, as I also stated, potentially enable WiFi calling (as is my hope) on the N5 (and possibly N4) once they receive the OS update.

 

[Old Stoneface]

Becuase Hangouts has made Wifi calling on T-Mobile largely superfluous. It's turned from "OMG" to "BFD" overnight.

Not necessarily.

I'd still like to have it, but GV wifi calling is no longer tied to my carrier, which is a big deal IMO. It means you no longer need to have a carrier to have a working phone.

Instead you're wired to Google. Obviously you feel differently, but I like my carrier a heckuva lot more than I like Google. Personally: I'm using Android not because I particularly like Android (or, certainly, Google), but more because I like the competition even less. My carrier, OTOH? I love my carrier.

(Re: Native WiFi calling built into AOSP...)

I doubt it. I think thats something Google would have deliberately included in their preview presentations. If they had it, they'd be letting everyone know it's coming.

Then they're ceding that advantage to Apple.

That could actually cause me to someday decide I dislike iOS less than I do AOSP.

 

[JeffDenver]

Instead you're wired to Google.

Meaning...what exactly? Google is not charging me anything. Google is not bossing me around with bloatware, or telling me which phones I'm allowed to use. What exactly is the downside to being wired to Google?

Obviously you feel differently, but I like my carrier a heckuva lot more than I like Google.

So you are not on Verizon then.

Then they're ceding that advantage to Apple.

If so, it is temporary. And it's not like Android phones don't have Wifi calling...it's just limited to a subset of Android phones. And frankly, thats true of Apple as well, since not all iPhones will be running iOS8. - Don't Put iOS 8 On Your iPhone 4S

 

[Old Stoneface]

Meaning...what exactly? Google is not charging me anything.

Yet. Google keeps announcing "Google Voice will remain free for <name-the-year>." Eventually it will have to either become a profit center, be write-off-able as a kind of "loss leader" kind of a thing for something else that does make them money, or they'll abandon it.

This is why my GV number is a fall-back number, not my primary.

Google is not bossing me around with bloatware, or telling me which phones I'm allowed to use.

No, instead they're telling you, for example, you have to have a G+ account to do many things.

What exactly is the downside to being wired to Google?

"Privacy," many feel. I agree. Just as with Facebook and other free services: You are either paying for it or you are the commodity.

So you are not on Verizon then.

No, not personally. We're using them at work, where I'm the wireless plan admin. I've been pleased with them. But, personally: I cannot afford them. Plus I don't care for, I've never cared for, carrier lock-in games. My wife an I are with T-Mobile.

(Re: Apple exclusively having WiFi calling baked into the OS...)

If so, it is temporary. And it's not like Android phones don't have Wifi calling...it's just limited to a subset of Android phones.

Yes, Android phones over which the manufacturer and carrier have control of the whole shebang. Which results in manufacturer and carrier bloat (and other ills). Clean phones, like the "G" I have sitting here charging: No WiFi for you!

And frankly, thats true of Apple as well, since not all iPhones will be running iOS8.

Apples:Oranges. We're talking about going forward, not retrofitting every version of Android, and every manufacturer/carrier variation, since the dawn of time. My point was: Going forward: Apple has upped the game. Google must meet the challenge or lose market share to Apple's advantage in this respect.

It's not like the demand hasn't been there. A year ago a T-Mobile CSR admitted to me it was. Google has dropped the ball on this one. Now, unless they've already been working on baking it into "L." they'll be playing catch-up.

Oops,.