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Official Google Voice App Approved by Apple

I use Google Voice

macduke said:
I hear about Google Voice all the time, yet I don't know anyone who actually uses it. Maybe because everyone I know uses iPhones? I guess we will see what this is like, but even a somewhat tech geek like myself has never really read up on it to understand what it really does or why I should want it. My wife and I have several thousand rollover minutes and barely use our 700 shared plan, so maybe that's why I never cared much. Doesn't it like call you back and somehow make magic phone calls happen for free? Haha.
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I love Google Voice. I use for my at home business. When someone calls that number, it records a voicemail and sends email/SMS alerts to my cell and my email. I don't need to get a 2nd line, everyone who is authorize to get the alerts can act on the call, we have one central area to view the transcripts or listen to the call; and, best of all, IT'S FREE!
 
Google Voice tracks every call you make, every phone number your forward to, every person who calls you as well as every message announcement you make AND every message that is left for you. They then conveniently tie this in with every search you do and every document you create. It's FREE!

Is it worth it?
 
I have been waiting for this! Mainly because I didn't want to drop $3 for the 3rd party apps. I have actually been using the GV "Browser app" for a few months now. Note: This isn't VOIP; it still uses your minutes, the main purpose, at least for me, is to give you a 2nd phone number. I am in dental school and when I have to call my patients I'd rather not give them my personal cell number. This way, I can give out a number I don't mind people having, and when they call I can screen the calls and even listen in as they leave a voicemail. Pretty cool that a transcript of the voicemail is then emailed to me, so if I'm in a lecture and can't talk I can at least read the voicemail.
 
I've been using Google Voice to send txt messages from my mac for free while I am at work because AT&T's txt message plan is so lame I always run out and end up paying an extra $4 or $5 per month for going over my limit (still better than paying an extra $10 to upgrade my messaging package).

If this app will display push notifications for new messages to my google voice number it would be awesome.
 
Now we just need NATIVE Gmail and Google Talk apps like they've had on blackberries for years
 
Were there ever any screenshots released of the original app that was rejected by Apple? I wanna see what it looks like :) I have been waiting for so long for this...
 
This is great, I will be downloading this the minute it's available! Now Apple, how about Apple giving us the simple ability to create custom alert tones for SMS, e-mail, etc?!?!? I was in the Apple store in Columbia, MD last week and someone received a text message and half of the people in the store grabbed for their iPhones. Quite comical actually, but sort of crazy that we arguably have the best phone in the world but we're limited to 10 SMS alerts.
 
macduke said:
I hear about Google Voice all the time, yet I don't know anyone who actually uses it. Maybe because everyone I know uses iPhones? I guess we will see what this is like, but even a somewhat tech geek like myself has never really read up on it to understand what it really does or why I should want it. My wife and I have several thousand rollover minutes and barely use our 700 shared plan, so maybe that's why I never cared much. Doesn't it like call you back and somehow make magic phone calls happen for free? Haha.
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Everyone I know uses it. First is free texting. Second is the ability to manage inbound calls in a sensible way. I give out my GV number and when someone calls it can ring my cell phone, home phone, or even the new VOIP in gmail. I can set up groups of people and have their incoming calls treated differently. Work call after 6PM, straight to voice mail. It's a great service and the only people I find who don't like it are simply those who don't understand it and haven't taken the time to see how useful it can be.

ddavid said:
Google Voice tracks every call you make, every phone number your forward to, every person who calls you as well as every message announcement you make AND every message that is left for you. They then conveniently tie this in with every search you do and every document you create. It's FREE!

Is it worth it?
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And your ISP tracks all the websites you go to and Apple tracks your purchases and Google tracks your searches. Yes, you're being tracked and there isn't much you can do about it except to be aware that it's happening.
 
MacSKY said:
This is great, I will be downloading this the minute it's available! Now Apple, how about Apple giving us the simple ability to create custom alert tones for SMS, e-mail, etc?!?!? I was in the Apple store in Columbia, MD last week and someone received a text message and half of the people in the store grabbed for their iPhones. Quite comical actually, but sort of crazy that we arguably have the best phone in the world but we're limited to 10 SMS alerts.
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6*
5 if you exclude Tri-tone which is also used for voicemail & facebook and however many other apps use it.
 
So does this mean the iPod touch just got a FREE calling feature that makes it just like an iPhone with better connectivity?
 
I use my GV number for Craigslist deals. I call sellers with my GV number or post ads with my GV number.

If I sell you a used car that breaks down 3 weeks later, I don't want you harassing me over the phone. I can block you!
 
macduke said:
I hear about Google Voice all the time, yet I don't know anyone who actually uses it. Maybe because everyone I know uses iPhones? I guess we will see what this is like, but even a somewhat tech geek like myself has never really read up on it to understand what it really does or why I should want it. My wife and I have several thousand rollover minutes and barely use our 700 shared plan, so maybe that's why I never cared much. Doesn't it like call you back and somehow make magic phone calls happen for free? Haha.
Click to expand...

to add to the tide of examples:

1) it's a perfect way to get two lines on your cellphone. my wife and i both use it for our respective businesses.

2) the text/email alert with transcription of voice mails

3) the ability to listen in on a message and record a phone call (very helpful for clients who happen to be forgetful or what was agreed to)

4) portability/continuation of service. i can move to another service provider even another country and i don't have to worry about setting up a new number and then propagating that to all my contacts

4) most importantly though it allows me to control who has "direct" access to me. only a small number of friends, family & business associates have my real phone number.
 
Former BlackVW said:
While it may not be free calls on the touch, it does mean free texting, right?
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I've made free calls with the call phone feature of gmail to people's landlines so I don't see why it wouldn't be possible with WiFi. I can make calls on my google voice and text for free thru the web app now. See what this will do will be interesting.
 
miles01110 said:
You can have SMS messages transcribed to e-mail and then e-mailed to your Google account (and subsequently forwarded to wherever you want), but I don't think you can send true SMSs from an iPod touch. Certainly not when not connected to WiFi.
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That's incorrect. With google voice you CAN send and receive unlimited text messages for free, over EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi, whatever.
 
Actually - for those that use GV - you CAN send and receive unlimited text messages for FREE if you have ANY data connection so WiFi, 3G or EDGE - It's pretty amazing and allow me to use an iPod touch to do most of my phone things :) !
 
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