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

[JeffDenver]

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.

Well it's been free since 2009. And Google has not only maintained support for it, they've expanded it. I like those odds.

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

Just the opposite with me. I don't even use my "real" cell number anymore...I've been giving out my GV number as my main for a few years now. For one thing, it's a lot easier to remember, because I had the ability to pick my own number.

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

About that...

"users don't need a Google+ account, just their original Google email log-in, to place calls." - Make calls with Google Voice without a Google+ account - CNET

"Privacy," many feel. I agree.

I have found these concerns to be exaggerated myself...and your carrier is definitely not as benevolent as you might think.

I've seen no evidence that google is secretly monitoring my calls. What exactly is it you think Google is going to do with your GV number?

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!

There is wifi for you...and it's free. You just don't want to use it because you don't trust Google.

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.

They will not lose marketshare over this issue. I guarantee it. The general public does not even understand what wifi calling is yet or why they want it. By the time they do, Android will have support for it anyway.

This is just like the 64-bit thing...it does not matter at all to most people right now, so it's a non-issue. Having 64-bit support right now only matters to nerds, and wifi calling is the same thing.

That will change of course...but by the time it does, Android will have it. Both of them.

 

[Bigballer]

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.


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.

Disagree, Would Google beta test wifi calling and potentially risk phone calls and text messages with the customer potentially blaming the carrier?

Edit; looks liek christmas came early this year. If the nexus 6 gets it, I see no reason why google wouldn't enable volte and wifi calling on the nexus 5.

http://9to5google.com/2014/09/17/t-...ffcalling-working-on-next-generation-nexus-6/

 

[cb474]

Edit; looks liek christmas came early this year. If the nexus 6 gets it, I see no reason why google wouldn't enable volte and wifi calling on the nexus 5.

Thanks for the link. Hmm, I wonder if that means that at least some custom ROM or something like that could get it working on the Nexus 4?

 

[cb474]

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.

Okay, but the article I link to in GSMArena specifically says that the reason wifi calling in iOS 8 works with T-Mobile is because of the way it is natively baked into the operating system. And it clearly suggests that it is this same native capacity in iOS 8 that will allow it to work with wifi calling on AT&T. So that seems to contradict your speculation that it's really some specific bit of T-Mobile firmware worked in there somehow. Barring some more authoritative answer to the question, I don't see why I should assume that the article is wrong based on your speculation that it might be accomplished in some other way.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Okay, but the article I link to in GSMArena specifically says that the reason wifi calling in iOS 8 works with T-Mobile is because of the way it is natively baked into the operating system. And it clearly suggests that it is this same native capacity in iOS 8 that will allow it to work with wifi calling on AT&T. So that seems to contradict your speculation that it's really some specific bit of T-Mobile firmware worked in there somehow. Barring some more authoritative answer to the question, I don't see why I should assume that the article is wrong based on your speculation that it might be accomplished in some other way.

Perhaps, but that operates under the assumption (which may well, but is not necessarily valid) that Apple would not integrate some small piece of code into their OS specifically to cater to the needs of one particular carrier-of-size to accommodate their system, providing that it had no impact on the quality/compatibility of service for the device in conjunction with other carriers.

Personally, I hope you're correct - it would indicate that either T-Mo has modified, or is in the process of modifying, their method of enabling WiFi calling such that no proprietary code is required. If that's the case, then there's strong reason to expect that Android L will encompass similar compatibility (assuming N6 will be sold in their stores, and therefore Wi-Fi text and calling compatible), and then we can safely assume that the N5 will be similarly enhanced upon installation of Android L.

 

[Bigballer]

Thanks for the link. Hmm, I wonder if that means that at least some custom ROM or something like that could get it working on the Nexus 4?

Possibly, but it may well be so baked in and who knows what Google might do to prevent people from hampering with it.

In the end, wifi callling could for all we know may be enabled on the nexus 4. however no lte radio means no volte so voice calls will not natively transfer from wifi to volte. big nuisance if you ask me.

 

[Jeremy8000]

In the end, wifi callling could for all we know may be enabled on the nexus 4. however no lte radio means no volte so voice calls will not natively transfer from wifi to volte. big nuisance if you ask me.

I wonder how many people realize that T-Mobile was offering WiFi calling that seamlessly switched between WiFi and Cellular as early as 2007... (over UMA, not LTE).

Also, people have hacked the LTE radio on the N4 to work (no doubt in violation of some federal statutes since it isn't certified by FCC), so from a theoretical perspective it might be operable.

 

[cb474]

Perhaps, but that operates under the assumption (which may well, but is not necessarily valid) that Apple would not integrate some small piece of code into their OS specifically to cater to the needs of one particular carrier-of-size to accommodate their system, providing that it had no impact on the quality/compatibility of service for the device in conjunction with other carriers.

Personally, I hope you're correct - it would indicate that either T-Mo has modified, or is in the process of modifying, their method of enabling WiFi calling such that no proprietary code is required. If that's the case, then there's strong reason to expect that Android L will encompass similar compatibility (assuming N6 will be sold in their stores, and therefore Wi-Fi text and calling compatible), and then we can safely assume that the N5 will be similarly enhanced upon installation of Android L.

It's not just an assumption. For what it's worth, the GSMArena article reports, supposedly based on information directly from Apple, that this is how the wifi calling is enabled in iOS 8 (by being natively baked in). So sure, Apple could hypothetically integrate some carrier specific piece of code, as you speculate. But the article claims that Apple says this is not what they've done. Unless the report is just wrong or Apple lied, then apparently iOS 8 has some sort of universal wifi calling enabled that works with different carriers. Again, that's not an assumption, that's reported news from Apple's own statements about how iOS 8 works.

It would make sense for OS vendors to come up with some more universal native solution, given that it appears all the carriers are moving in this direction. Sprint and T-Mobile already have wifi calling, AT&T is going to strart wifi calling next year, seems likely Verizon will have to follow suit. It probably is better for all parties involved to use on standardized protocol that can be native to the OS. That makes it easier for the handset manufacturers and easier for the carriers to have wifi calling working on all phones they carry. I don't see a downside for anyone.

 

[cb474]

Possibly, but it may well be so baked in and who knows what Google might do to prevent people from hampering with it.

In the end, wifi callling could for all we know may be enabled on the nexus 4. however no lte radio means no volte so voice calls will not natively transfer from wifi to volte. big nuisance if you ask me.

As Jeremy8000 says, the Nexus 4 does have an LTE radio. It just was not enabled when the phone shipped. But it is trivially easy to enable. It used to require flashing a single zip in recovery that updated the radio and enabled LTE, which was pretty easy. Now there's an app in Google Play, "Nexus 4 LTE Modem Flasher," that will do it. You do have to be rooted.

One thing I don't understand about VoLTE is whether it requires special hardware (i.e. early LTE radios won't do it). Or if it's just a question of enabling it in software/firmware.

 

[Bigballer]

As Jeremy8000 says, the Nexus 4 does have an LTE radio. It just was not enabled when the phone shipped. But it is trivially easy to enable. It used to require flashing a single zip in recovery that updated the radio and enabled LTE, which was pretty easy. Now there's an app in Google Play, "Nexus 4 LTE Modem Flasher," that will do it. You do have to be rooted.

One thing I don't understand about VoLTE is whether it requires special hardware (i.e. early LTE radios won't do it). Or if it's just a question of enabling it in software/firmware.

Having Google enable the LTE radio on the 4 is out of the question. No doubt FCC would attack LG/Google for it since it was never certified at launch. However, I see no reason why Nexus 5 cannot have VOLTE enabled. If the GS5/GS4, note 3 etc. never had volte enabled at launch but did recently due to software upgrades, it doesn't seem out of the question. Nexus 5 is still relatively new with up to date radios.

Speaking of which, did Apple ever decide to update wifi calling/volte to older generation iphones like the 5/5c/5s? Or did Apple decide to pull their infamous shenanigans?

 

[dan1431]

It is my understanding that Wi-Fi calling functionality is baked into iOS 8, but the carrier has to send over some provisioning info for it to work.

Apparently, this provisioning can be on the SIM, but unless the SIM is newer (not sure by how much) the carrier would have to send over an OTA with that info.

As for VoLTE, Google would have to enable the feature as Google controls the phones capabilities, not T-Mobile.

Dan

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Bigballer]

Android L better be delivered as I have high expectations for it. Another one on my wishlist is a native visual voicemail app. A material design version baked in would be so much more practical than downloading the carrier's version (which by the way is infested with ads promoting their expensive voicemail to text).

My wishlist for android L for the N5:
wifi calling
visual voicemail
volte

 

[akuki]

If I remove my carrier's # as a forwarding phone in Google Voice, but continue to use Hangouts to make calls from the GV#, what happens to incoming calls when there is no wifi or data signal available? Do Hangouts calls switch to cellular voice, or just not connect?

Is a carrier's voice signal stronger than their data signal? Or, should I just go all data while I still have extra when my 100 minutes are up, instead of feeding more money into my account?

 

[Old Stoneface]

If I remove my carrier's # as a forwarding phone in Google Voice, but continue to use Hangouts to make calls from the GV#, what happens to incoming calls when there is no wifi or data signal available? Do Hangouts calls switch to cellular voice, or just not connect?

They simply do not connect, and the caller is given the option to leave voicemail.

This is how my wife and I are using GV: As a completely independent phone number.

 

[Bigballer]

It is my understanding that Wi-Fi calling functionality is baked into iOS 8, but the carrier has to send over some provisioning info for it to work.

Apparently, this provisioning can be on the SIM, but unless the SIM is newer (not sure by how much) the carrier would have to send over an OTA with that info.

As for VoLTE, Google would have to enable the feature as Google controls the phones capabilities, not T-Mobile.

Dan

Posted via Android Central App

I realize 4s/5/5s also got wifi calling with ios8. Considering the 5 and 5s also have an LTE chip, I wonder if ios8 also enabled volte for those two phones.

 

[cb474]

Having Google enable the LTE radio on the 4 is out of the question. No doubt FCC would attack LG/Google for it since it was never certified at launch. However, I see no reason why Nexus 5 cannot have VOLTE enabled. If the GS5/GS4, note 3 etc. never had volte enabled at launch but did recently due to software upgrades, it doesn't seem out of the question. Nexus 5 is still relatively new with up to date radios.

If you look at my posts above and the other people discussing the issue, no one was talking about Google enabling this feature for the Nexus 4. The questions was, if wifi calling (and VoLTE) was baked into the Android OS at some point, would it be possible for custom ROMs and other mods to enable the feature on the Nexus 4.

You replied this couldn't be done because there is no LTE radio on the Nexus 4, but as I and Jeremy8000 already pointed out, you're wrong about this. The Nexus 4 has an LTE radio and thousands of people have enabled it with a mod that is so simple all you have to do is download an app from the Play store. It works fine, no one is having any problems, the FCC is not cracking down, Google even lets the app for enabling the LTE radio exist in the Play store.

So it's really irrelevant what Google would do or what the FCC approves of. We're talking about mods and custom ROMs. So far, it has not been possible to enable wifi calling on the Nexus 4, because the code required for it would have to be baked into the OS (apparently). But if Google bakes it into Android anyway, then perhaps the modders could do it (as well as enable VoLTE on the Nexus 4). That's the question.

 

[cb474]

It is my understanding that Wi-Fi calling functionality is baked into iOS 8, but the carrier has to send over some provisioning info for it to work.

Apparently, this provisioning can be on the SIM, but unless the SIM is newer (not sure by how much) the carrier would have to send over an OTA with that info.

As for VoLTE, Google would have to enable the feature as Google controls the phones capabilities, not T-Mobile.

Dan

Posted via Android Central App

Thanks for the info and clarifications.

 

[Jeremy8000]

It's not just an assumption. For what it's worth, the GSMArena article reports, supposedly based on information directly from Apple, that this is how the wifi calling is enabled in iOS 8 (by being natively baked in). So sure, Apple could hypothetically integrate some carrier specific piece of code, as you speculate. But the article claims that Apple says this is not what they've done. Unless the report is just wrong or Apple lied, then apparently iOS 8 has some sort of universal wifi calling enabled that works with different carriers. Again, that's not an assumption, that's reported news from Apple's own statements about how iOS 8 works.

It would make sense for OS vendors to come up with some more universal native solution, given that it appears all the carriers are moving in this direction. Sprint and T-Mobile already have wifi calling, AT&T is going to strart wifi calling next year, seems likely Verizon will have to follow suit. It probably is better for all parties involved to use on standardized protocol that can be native to the OS. That makes it easier for the handset manufacturers and easier for the carriers to have wifi calling working on all phones they carry. I don't see a downside for anyone.

Well, yes and no. They've stated that that iOS8 natively enables WiFi calling, presumably via some sort of standard that any carrier can opt to use. The question, therefore, becomes: is T-Mo electing to change paths and use a method by which iPhone 6 enables WiFi calling - a method T-Mo hasn't used to date - or are they choosing to remain with the proprietary systems they've been using for the past 7 years, and having Apple embed the necessary coding. I think it's safe to say it would be better from most perspectives for T-Mo to go the first path, as it would allow more of their user-base to use Wi-Fi calling (thereby reducing load on their cell network) as well as help to attract customers who bring their own equipment, but it's sometimes hard to 'teach an old dog new tricks.'

In connecting with the original point, T-Mo and the other 'big carriers' adopting a more 'universal' standard as you suggest would be a simple solution, and could offer a likely explanation as to how the Nexus 6, presuming it is available in T-Mo stores, will be able to integrate this feature -- and would also set a reasonable expectation that Nexus 5 users would be similarly enabled.

 

[cb474]

Well, yes and no. They've stated that that iOS8 natively enables WiFi calling, presumably via some sort of standard that any carrier can opt to use...

No I don't think so. There's no presumably here. That's something you're adding that's not in the report. What the report says, based on Apples explanation, is that it is the native wifi calling in iOS8 that makes it work on T-Mobile and will make it work on AT&T. Perhaps you think the news reports on this (which I link to above) got it wrong or Apple misspoke. But that's your speculation. But there's no need to presume or speculate here, because as I've already explained above, the reports answer the question already.

 

[Old Stoneface]

No I don't think so. There's no presumably here. That's something you're adding that's not in the report. What the report says, based on Apples explanation, is that it is the native wifi calling in iOS8 that makes it work on T-Mobile and will make it work on AT&T.

Apple does not make carrier-specific phones, right? So the reasonable assumption is that iOS 8 has WiFi calling baked into the system. If that is true then it's also a reasonable assumption that any carrier that wished to avail itself of the functionality could do so.

Your argument is like a guy currently arguing in another thread that just because the N6 may have WiFi calling doesn't mean Android will.

Are you guys afraid of WiFi calling or something?