Could someone explain the difference between the two of these? I have avoided Number Sync because of the alleged battery drain.
Call Forwarding vs AT&T Number Sync
- Thread starter llcamino
- Start date
Re: Call Forwarding vs AT&T Number Sync
NumberSync is a service you have to register with ATT in order to use and then calls will be sent to both the phone and watch, regardless if the phone is on/off. Calls from the watch will be appear with the same number as the phone also. Call forwarding is just how it sounds. The phone has to be on and calls are forwarded from the phones number to the watch's number when activated. Calls from the watch will use the watch's number and will be different than the phones number.
I don't use ATT so I've always used call forwarding. I've also never seen NumberSync as an app/service that uses the battery when I look at the stats. I've also read that it causes drainage, even when disabled. I think it has to be completely deactivated to not appear on the battery stats.
NumberSync is a service you have to register with ATT in order to use and then calls will be sent to both the phone and watch, regardless if the phone is on/off. Calls from the watch will be appear with the same number as the phone also. Call forwarding is just how it sounds. The phone has to be on and calls are forwarded from the phones number to the watch's number when activated. Calls from the watch will use the watch's number and will be different than the phones number.
I don't use ATT so I've always used call forwarding. I've also never seen NumberSync as an app/service that uses the battery when I look at the stats. I've also read that it causes drainage, even when disabled. I think it has to be completely deactivated to not appear on the battery stats.
Call forwarding, when activated, doesn't require phone to be on. You only need to the phone to be on when you activate or turn off the call forwarding.
Call forwarding works with virtually any network on either watch or phone. NumberSync only works with AT&T and requires an AT&T branded phone that supports HD Voice.
Call forwarding works with virtually any network on either watch or phone. NumberSync only works with AT&T and requires an AT&T branded phone that supports HD Voice.
FYI, Google Voice is a more powerful alternative to NumberSync. In addition to greater functionality, it works on any device and with any carrier.
Afblangley, how do you setup google voice with the watch? Can you still access your voicemail? Is it seamless once setup?
He meant if you use Google voice number as your main contact number. Then you can setup GV to ring as many devices as you wish. The downside is that you will need to tell everyone you know to call you on your GV number instead and outgoing calls are still your device's own number.
Ok that's what I thought. I just decided to try numbersync again. Sigh...
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There was no adjustment period for my contacts since I ported my long held number to GV. So no matter what device I'm using, my number is the same, and there's minimum device setup. It works anywhere (I'm currently in Nicaragua) and on everything- dumb phones, WP, tablets, computers, watches...
I find the flexibility that GV affords indispensable, I could never go back to the limitations inherent with a carrier controlled number.
If only we can foresee how long Google will keep this GV business going. I can't really count how many Google stuff I used to use got axed during their annual spring cleaning this past couple years.
I like GV and will rue the day they discontinue it. But there are other companies that provide similar services (though not necessarily free).
The concept of one number across multiple devices (ie. cell phone, watch phone, car phone, home phone) is going to expand. Google is expanding upon it with Fiber Phone. Number Sync, while less than perfect implementation, is proof that AT&T sees that future too.
I can seamlessly change networks, change devices, and change countries without changing my number. I'm dependent on functionality that is currently provided by GV. In the future, I don't know whether that functionality will be delivered by wireless carrier, ISP, ILEC, Google, or other telecom. All I know is that for me, the future has already arrived.
I purchased the Urbane 2 the evening before last, so yesterday was my first full day using it. The evening I purchased it I set it all up; I turned on the wifi, paired the bluetooth, and turned on NumberSync. Yesterday morning I woke up around 5am to work out and took my watch with me. First thing I noticed was the heart rate monitor is way inaccurate, my heart rate won't go read above 70 bps. Anyone else experience issue with the heart rate monitor? Anyway, that wasn't too much of an upset for me since I plan on purchasing a Fitbit Blaze or similar for exercising. However, I wore the watch to work, didn't do to much on it. Made just one call from it, and replied to maybe two texts. By 2pm the watch died. Not even a low battery warning or anything. Based on the posts above and other forums I'm assuming the battery drain was due to the NumberSync. I thought I had done my research and purchased this watch mainly for the battery life and LTE capabilities but I'm not really able to take full advantage of those two things simultaneously. I could turn off NumberSync but I don't would prefer not deal with the hassle of a new number. I've tried GV before but I remember having issues texting or sending MMS from it and was wary of Google's lack of upgrades to the product and discontinuing it soon. Anyway, I'm considering taking my Urbane back and going with a Moto 360 or Huawei. This might not be the appropriate forum or thread but your input is appreciated.
This has happened to me on a few occasions, but rarely, and I don't use NumberSync. I think it was mostly due to poor signal when I'm in the office and the watch struggles to get a signal and uses up the battery. But most days I have no problem lasting the entire day and still having 20-30% battery left. I'd say if you have 2 weeks or whatever return period you have left, to try the watch for a few more days to see how it works out.
You did a good research. This watch comes with 550maH battery while all other watches out there are merely 300maH battery, even the Samsung Gear S1/S2. I had Samsung Gear S1 before and it won't last that long either on cellular and without NumberSync feature.
As mentioned above, the signal level in your surroundings greatly affects the battery life. Even with the antenna extends into the watch band, it struggles to maintain a stable cellular connection for me most of time. So I never use the cellular feature at all. On top of that NumberSync easily eats up addition 20% of battery for no reason.
Just FYI, those issues have largely been resolved with the adaptation of Hangouts.
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