Google Voice Reliability

[AlphaTango414]

Who on here uses a Google Voice number with the Hangouts Dialer on their phone? I'm wondering how reliable it has been for people.

I plan on using it to replace my work phone. I have a physical job and having 2 phones and a Bluetooth printer on my waist is just to much. Want to get some feedback before I call IT to update my contact info.

 

[AlphaTango414]

Also, is it possible to send an email to my Google Voice number?

Such as 555-323-1234@xxxx.com

 

[PhiPsi32]

I use my GV number exclusively. The Hangouts integration is great. I make and recive phone calls with no problem, and voicemails appear in Hangouts (very similar to how they appeared in GV app). The most recent Hangouts update included MMS support. I have no problem creating or receiving group SMS or picture messages. (I have not tried video messaging).

 

[Crashdamage]

You do not need to use the Hangouts Dialer. Google Voice will use the regular dialer. You don't need Hangouts at all.

EDIT: Hmmm...I'm not really correct about emailing a phone number (below). Should work for a GV number too. See:

http://sms411.net/how-to-send-email-to-a-phone/

I don't know of any phone number that can be emailed. Email will only go to email addresses. So a phone number would have to be registered as an email address. For example, you would have to open a Gmail account as: 555.323.1234@gmail.com. You can send SMS or MMS text messages to a GV number, just like any mobile number.

My wife and I have each run our own businesses on Google Voice numbers for years. GV has handled literally thousands of critical calls for us and never a problem. GV has been totally reliable. We use GV for all calls except for close friends and family. That's the only people who know our 'real' phone numbers.

And boy, is it handy! Effectively adds a second line and number to your phone AND adds a bunch of very cool functions. We couldn't get along without it.

For more about some tricks GV can do and that can cause GV addiction see this. I wrote this up for someone in a situation very similar to yours:

http://androidforums.com/index.php?posts/7045372

If you can port your current work number to GV, you won't even have to give a new number to your business contacts.

 

[sethyboy]

I have a Google Voice number and use Hangouts Dialer. It has been very reliable for me, and works really well. I can make calls and send texts, and get voicemails with no problems.

 

[PhiPsi32]

. . . I don't know of any phone number that can be emailed. Email will only go to email addresses. So a phone number would have to be registered as an email address. For example, you would have to open a Gmail account as: 555.323.1234@gmail.com. You can send SMS or MMS text messages to a GV number, just like any mobile number.

Actually text messages are addressed just like an email. You don't see this on your phone. Here's a breakdown of the carriers and their address conventions:

How to Send Text Messages (SMS) Via Email for Free

As for GV, I don't know. I haven't seen this option.

 

[AlphaTango414]

Great to hear such great feedback for GV.

So here is my setup. I have my personal number running on TW/Nova Prime. All apps are using personal Google account. I do not have GV/Hangouts/Hill Dialer installed. All phone calls are made with my stock Dialer without having to specify which number to call out with.

I am using My Knox for work. All apps are using secondary Google account. I have GV/Hangouts/H Dialer installed within My Knox. All phone calls made from My Knox with H Dialer uses my GV number. All SMS with GV number shows up in My Knox Hangouts and doesn't show up on the personal profile.

My work uses an email based program to send out company wide text messages. I do know you can text phone numbers but it depends on your carrier to what you address it as. Was hoping there was a way to do this with a GV number.

 

[PhiPsi32]

Scroll through here

https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/voice/RWxxZ1OWxoE

 

[Crashdamage]

I think there is a way to email a GV number.. I was mistaken and have added an edit to my post #4. Check out the link I added. And you really should check out the link farther down the post.

 

[AlphaTango414]

When I receive a call from someone using my GV number, I have to answer the phone through my stock dialer, open the dial pad, and click one to accept the call. Needless to say it's time consuming. How can I change it so I can answer the phone call without having to do all for that but still keep my normal number unaffected?

 

[Crashdamage]

If you set GV to forward all calls to your cellphone number, calls to GV should work like any other call - just swipe to answer.

You should be able to email your GV number, I was wrong about that.

I don't know what My Knox is or why you need it. Would a setup like I described in this post (linked earlier) to someone in a situation similar to yours work as well or better?

http://androidforums.com/threads/can-you-have-two-phone-numbers-on-one-vm-phone.934283/#post-7045372

 

[AlphaTango414]

My Knox is an app from Samsung that creates a secure separate workspace separating personal data and pictures from workplace data and such.

I got on the browser GV and found the call screening setting which turning it off solve my problem.

 

[PhiPsi32]

I have GV enabled in Hangouts. When someone calls my GV number, the Hangouts dialer rings, and I answer the call directly.

 

[Crashdamage]

I have GV enabled in Hangouts. When someone calls my GV number, the Hangouts dialer rings, and I answer the call directly.

Well, whatever works for you. But you don't need Hangouts or the Hangouts Dialer. They seem clumsy to use to me. GV works perfectly normally with the standard dialer. The only reason I can think of to use Hangouts with Google Voice is for VOIP WiFi calling.

 

[PhiPsi32]

Yes, I prefer VOIP. Also VOIP is a little faster. Less lag when placing or receiving calls.

 

[AlphaTango414]

I'm sticking with Hangouts because I send/receive a lot of SMS/MMS via GV number. I like to have these kept separate from my personal threads.

 

[Tiny Burton]

Well I simply like the fun side....

Do a barrel roll
Make me a sandwich
Who are you
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood
Beam me up, Scotty
Tilt
Askew
Go go gadget [app name]
What does the fox say

Posted by Samsung Galaxy S6

 

[AlphaTango414]

Are MMS's always very low quality when being sent via hangouts?

 

[Crashdamage]

MMS are limited to 600KB. Not good but it's better than the old 300KB limit. Larger files are automatically reduced to fit the 600KB limit. Compression may be enough to make the limit, but some photos cannot be compressed much. And with todays high-resolution cameras many photos can only be reduced enough to be sent by going beyond lossless compression to resolution reduction. Sometimes a lot of reduction.

Bottom line: if you want to send quality copies of photos and videos email them or share through cloud storage.