Someone mind explaining to me what the Google Voice integration is and why...

[Linkchomp]

should I care? I synced my Evo up with it, but I really don't see what the benefit is as I don't do international calling, so that's not important.

What's the point? Can I actually block numbers on it since I can't do it on Sprint?

 

[Bujin#IM]

You can indeed block numbers. The main advantages is that you can route your calls to multiple phones (so it rings on work & home, for example), and you can access your calls/texts from the desktop.

 

[theblizzard2009]

i personally enjoy the free call blocking (for specific numbers) feature online. When the caller (who is blocked) attempts to ring my number, they get a message saying my number is not in service, PERFECT! and without the need of an app.

Also, the permanent logging of voice mails & texts indefinitely is a huge plus, again without the need of an app.

It just works great, i can login to my Google voice online, and everything is there, until i delete it, not when a system determines how old it is... and without limit so far.

I don't do any of the international mumbo jumbo, nor have any interest in ringing multiple phones to get a hold of me (don't have any additional phones or landlines or anything) but those are plus's to some.

Oh yea, and ITS FREE, and you don't need any kind of app... (besides Google voice app for visual voice mail, free also)

 

[j_grouchy]

I tried it, but quickly dumped it when all my texts started coming in through the GV app instead of through the messaging app. I prefer messaging without all that nonsense. I just want my phone to handle that stuff without relying on the GV app as an intermediary.

I honestly don't really see any advantage to the integration. If I actually got a lot of calls from people I wanted to block I might consider it. I also have no need for one number to ring multiple phones. I have my cell phone and my office phone - we dumped our home land line two years ago. Why would I need my cell number to ring my office phone when I am sitting right next to both phones at the same time?

 

[god_trentonj]

I tried it, but quickly dumped it when all my texts started coming in through the GV app instead of through the messaging app. I prefer messaging without all that nonsense. I just want my phone to handle that stuff without relying on the GV app as an intermediary.

I honestly don't really see any advantage to the integration. If I actually got a lot of calls from people I wanted to block I might consider it. I also have no need for one number to ring multiple phones. I have my cell phone and my office phone - we dumped our home land line two years ago. Why would I need my cell number to ring my office phone when I am sitting right next to both phones at the same time?

I was on the verge of dumping it, until I figured out how to make it so my stock messaging worked for texts rather than the google voice app. It is pretty sweet to text from my computer I think. I wish I could get MMS on my computer now too...

 

[vansmack]

For me, it's worth it for what everybody else said about texting and receiving voicemails from the computer.

It's also been a god send to text from my tablet too. I rarely touch my phone on the weekends now....

 

[vansmack]

I tried it, but quickly dumped it when all my texts started coming in through the GV app instead of through the messaging app. I prefer messaging without all that nonsense.

Did you even try to turn off texts through GV? It's not difficult to do...

 

[j_grouchy]

Did you even try to turn off texts through GV? It's not difficult to do...

I don't even see the option. All I see is the option to forward text messages to my email.

 

[vansmack]

From this post:

ON THE WEB, GV SETTINGS:

PHONES: I have my Spint number Enabled as my GV number, under the heading "Edit" I have a check box marked "Receive Text Messages on This Phone"

VOICEMAIL AND TEXTS: Under voicemail notifications, put a check mark next to: Send a text (SMS) message to and check "Sprint Mobile Phone"
I also check the box to "Transcribe Voicemails" that way my text notification of a VM also attempts to transcribe the message.

ON THE PHONE:

Open Voice. Uncheck Synchronize inbox and uncheck Inbox notifications. I leave Notifications via text messaging marked as I think that is required to receive the Voicemail notification, but I'm not sure. (I've been meaning to test that).


This gets me text to stock SMS app, VM to GV, and a text notification with the VM transcribed to my stock SMS app. No two notifications, no automatically populated dual inbox.

 

[tyea]

I like to see a setting in google voice to just receive voicemail. That way whenever I see the the google voice icon in the notification bar I know I'm only getting voicemail.

 

[j_grouchy]

I just don't see the advantage for myself. Surely others have good reasons, but the two times I tried integrating, I switched back within hours. It just got frustrating to set up notifications and such when there was no real reason not to just use what I already had.

 

[gabbott]

I really like the GV integration. Is it perfect? no, there are some kinks to work out and settings I'd like to see them add but for someone like myself that has had the same cell number for well over 10 years and don't want to change, it fits the bill. Now if I want, I can control having my number ring other phones, I can use SMS from a computer, I can do call blocking easily, and I can use my google account as a place to archive all my call logs, voicemails and SMS messages.

For me, the biggest feature of it is I can send/receive SMS both using data and the cell network. This allows greater flexibility in my ability to communicate if needed in the few circumstances where data isn't available or a cell signal isn't available but have access to wifi.

I'd like to see the notification options in the android GV app be more granular so there are separate settings for notifications of VM and SMS.

 

[j_grouchy]

I'd like to see the notification options in the android GV app be more granular so there are separate settings for notifications of VM and SMS.

I noticed when I tested the voicemail, it didn't actually let me know that I had voicemail. I waited 15 minutes and ended up opening the GV app and only then would it refresh and show me that I had a new voicemail. This happened twice. Having to actively check for voicemail was a dealbreaker for me. I don't want a text message or email telling me I have voicemail. I want a voicemail notification to appear as soon as the message is delivered.

 

[gabbott]

I noticed when I tested the voicemail, it didn't actually let me know that I had voicemail. I waited 15 minutes and ended up opening the GV app and only then would it refresh and show me that I had a new voicemail. This happened twice. Having to actively check for voicemail was a dealbreaker for me. I don't want a text message or email telling me I have voicemail. I want a voicemail notification to appear as soon as the message is delivered.

I haven't had that issue, it has consistently given me my VM notifications as soon as I receive one.

 

[theotherlinh]

i only use it for voicemail, no full integration. why? I don't want to lose my virtual 2nd number, which is what I use GV for.

I do wish I could block calls on my main number. that should be a feature for ALL phones.

 

[gabbott]

i only use it for voicemail, no full integration. why? I don't want to lose my virtual 2nd number, which is what I use GV for.

I do wish I could block calls on my main number. that should be a feature for ALL phones.

You don't have to lose the second number any longer for $20:

Google Voice Blog: Make your secondary Google Voice number permanent

Now you can have your Sprint number be your main GV number and still have your original GV number still work for incoming calls and SMS.

 

[theotherlinh]

You don't have to lose the second number any longer for $20:

Google Voice Blog: Make your secondary Google Voice number permanent

Now you can have your Sprint number be your main GV number and still have your original GV number still work for incoming calls and SMS.

yeah, but it won't work for outgoing calls. hence, virtual 2nd line. not virtual 2nd incoming only line =)