Why no calls? And is there a reliable way around that?

[theiphonewannabe]

I don't get why the US models do not have the ability to make wireless calls. Seems kinda shortsighted. However, if there is one thing I know about Android, there is a way around just about everything.

Has anyone used Yahoo Messenger or anything like that to make calls?

 

[Jahntassa]

Not really shortsighted, I think it was a condition of it coming to the US. By who? Most likely the carriers as a whole, but that's completely conjecture on my part and I have no actual idea.

I have Skype loaded, and tried dialing out on it, but unfortunately I don't have any credits on the account. However! It might work. In theory Google Talk (not voice) works as well.

 

[Menno]

What you'd need is a VOIP client like Nimbuzz and a SIP client like VoX:
http://www.androidcentral.com/vox-brings-their-voip-services-android-nimbuzz
If you don't have one, set up a Google Voice account too

VoX gives you a "real" phone number. once you have it configured with Nimbuzz to ring on your phone, you set up Google Voice to ring to that phone number like you would a real cellphone number.

Then just use the Google App for dialing/texting and you have Voip calling on your device.

(Vox offers a PPU rate of $4.95/mo .05/min $9.95/mo 500 minute or $24.95/mo unlimited)

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

There's a chance all the hardware is there and just disabled in the OS. We'll know when the boys at ifixit get a unit torn down.

 

[jrmuller]

Skype - Verizon

Have the Verizon Tab, and Skype works perfect with Skype out. Have it set to show my regular cellphone id when calling someone (which you can do online with Skype), made calls all last night and works great. However one caviat Verizon limits the Skype to WiFi only no 3G.

Now hears the kicker yesterday when I went to the store to pickup you have to activate it just like a cellphone, what was weird is that the device did a *228 and made a call to do this, could hear the activation process just like you would activating a new cell on Verizon. Meaning it has the capabilities to make a regular cell call just that it's disabled. My guess when Verizon kicks of their new LTE 4G service, you "might" be able to upgrade to calling on your device.

My 2 Cents.. in the meantime Skype via WiFi works 100%, and works great with a Bluetooth headset as well..

 

[bubbatex]

Yes, it has to have the phone radio built in because it supports full SMS and MMS - and it is assigned a phone number for this purpose. It's just that the phone number does not make or accept calls. Peter at gdgt said that when you call the Tab's number on Sprint you get a "caller unavailable" message. Why they had to do this is beyond me. I would probably get one if it could make cell calls.

 

[ConceptVBS]

I've heard its only software locked, all the hardware elements are already there.

Just wait until the developers at XDA start cracking this stuff. Woo hoo!

 

[theiphonewannabe]

So I have been using Skype, and this far it hasnt been too bad. With my Mobile Hotspot running I havent had any call issues. The only problem is that I cannot currently get my bluetooth headset to recognize. Anyone else had that issue?

 

[dcviper]

When I went into the dialer app, it said that calling was disabled by the carrier. I imagine that you can change that if you root it, but then you'd have to get a calling plan for it, and I doubt the carrier will let you do that. I was told that you can send SMS messages, but with not texting plan I'd have to pay per message. I did ask about updating the PRL, and the guy at Verizon didn't know, but was able to find out for me several hours after I figured it out on my own.

 

[Terry K]

I can confirm that Google Voice somewhat works with this device on Sprint.

I had a number on an actual line that I *28 to my GV number prior to moving to the Tab.

So, when I moved to the Tab and call the number, it goes straight to my *28 GV number.