Google Voice guru please!

[TheLibertarian]

Hey again, I have one final question regarding this new cellular chapter of my life (I kid, somewhat).

I've ordered my GSM Nexus (via Google Play), along with the unlimited SIM from Straight Talk.

Now, I use Google Voice some now (mainly texting from my MacBook), but I wish to learn what else GVoice can do.

I heard you can port your number to GVoice, which I understand, but what are the advantages of doing so?

My main question is something like that: Is there a way I can port my current Verizon number to my Google Voice account AND THEN use Google Voice for both cellular and internet calling? Does that work? I'm aware you can use Google Voice to make call over the internet, but that's where my knowledge ends.

I ask only because it seems infinitely more convenient to port my number to Google Voice to ensure its "safety" and not lose said number.

Again, my main/simplified question is can Google Voice be used with Straight Talk to make calls via cell towers.

Apologies for my lack of knowledge; new subject for me!

 

[Hindolam]

Google Voice blends very well with prepaid options. You do not need to inform your prepaid number to others. You can switch plan, carrier and not bother about porting your number. You only need to provide your Google Voice number to others.
You can program your phone to always use Google Voice for voice and text. The other party will see the google voice number and not the actual cell phone number. However, note that the phone calls will still use carrier minutes. Your phone kind of calls your google voice and the google voice number then calls the actual called number.

The texting will use Data and not texting quota.

To port Verizon number to Google Voice, log into your google account and you should be able to view an option for your google voice and porting your number. It takes about 24 hrs and $20 to port.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

I heard you can port your number to GVoice, which I understand, but what are the advantages of doing so?

My main question is something like that: Is there a way I can port my current Verizon number to my Google Voice account AND THEN use Google Voice for both cellular and internet calling? Does that work? I'm aware you can use Google Voice to make call over the internet, but that's where my knowledge ends.

I ask only because it seems infinitely more convenient to port my number to Google Voice to ensure its "safety" and not lose said number.

Again, my main/simplified question is can Google Voice be used with Straight Talk to make calls via cell towers.

Google Voice, by default, is just a call forwarding service. When you port your current phone # to Google Voice, that number is now a "virtual number". In your Google Voice settings (at google.com/voice), you will set up your newly provided number with Straight Talk (the random one you get when you become a customer) as a "forwarding number". So then what happens is when someone calls your Google Voice number, it is "forwarded" to any phone that you set up. You can have it forward calls to a cell phone, home phone, office phone or anything (skype number, etc.). You can have it ring specific phones for the time of day, day of week, specific callers or groups of callers. This feature uses your voice minutes, it is not a VOIP call.

For outgoing calls on your phone, the Google Voice app handles that. In the settings, simply check the box for "use Google Voice to make all calls", then use the default dialer normally. Whenever you dial someone, it'll simply forward to your Google Voice # then call out, seamlessly. People on the other end just see a call coming from your Google Voice #. Again, this is a cell minute call, not VOIP.

Text messages can either be forwarded to your mobile # and put in your Messaging app (which is a bit messy at best), or you can handle all messaging via the Google Voice app on your phone and google.com/voice in the browser. The only downside here is Google Voice does not work with MMS, and there is no indication that it will any time soon. If you must receive an MMS, your carrier # still works for that. If I had to recommend something, tell your friends to just email/facebook message/IM/etc. pictures. It's 2012, people.

Internet calling is a secondary feature of Google Voice. Using Google Talk / GMail, you can make/receive calls with your Google Voice number. They're free within the U.S., and cheap to other countries around the world.

 

[TheLibertarian]

That was terrifically helpful, thanks for taking the time to write all that out!

 

[Andrew Martonik]

That was terrifically helpful, thanks for taking the time to write all that out!

No problem.

 

[Gekko]

is it true that some prepaid provider plans like T-Mobile Monthly 4G will not play nice with Google Voice LITE (using Google Voice for your Voicemail only)?

 

[Andrew Martonik]

is it true that some prepaid provider plans like T-Mobile Monthly 4G will not play nice with Google Voice LITE (using Google Voice for your Voicemail only)?

Yes, the carrier has to support "conditional call forwarding" in order to use a carrier # with Google Voice Voicemail. On a carrier without CCF (like T-Mo Prepaid), you have 2 options: 1) use your carrier # and carrier voicemail and 2) use Google Voice for all calls and Google Voice Voicemail.

Straight Talk offers conditional call forwarding on both their AT&T and T-Mobile services afaik.