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Review by Tivo guy See Profile

  • Location: Kings Park, Suffolk, NY, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
free amazing call features,voicemail and USA calls
porting my number in was slow 5 days,tech support could be better only by email.
you will love the free features.
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2/9/17

So i just ported my number into google voice as they have added some new features after 5 years. They just added MMS text attachments and group texting.

I use it with my freedompop service. I start my outbound calls from the GV app and they go out over my cell (freedompop) showing my GV caller I.D. my inbound is also directed to my freedompop #. Free USA calling and many other features. I'm not really they thrilled with the new website but I am with the features. google.com/voice.

member for 22.1 years, 1409 visits, last login: 2.7 years ago
updated 7.1 years ago


Review by cb14 See Profile

  • Location: Miami Beach, Miami-Dade, FL, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
FREE service.
Call treatments unreliable, no customer service, voice transcription worthless, call quality dropp no support for 'early media'.
Not recommended any more except as a throw away number.
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Edited 2013-11-04 : Google announce the end of third party applications as of May 14th, 2014. After this day it will not be possible to use Obi ( and most likely any other devices) to make and receive calls through Google Voice. I do not consider GV( or in the future, Hangouts) call treatments reliable enough, so what remains is a free voice mail box. If you have GV now, use it for the time being, but I do not recommend to port numbers to them or start new service with them.
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Edited 2014-01-20
The problems with call treatments are growing- among others delivering of a fake CLID on forwarded calls. Also, in the recent months the call quality and consistency is going down hill. Still good, but not excellent any more. At this point of time I would not recommend it for anything except as a cheap throw away mailbox/phone number. The choice of DID's, excellent in the past, is just so so today.
I use Google Voice via my obi 100 and 202 ATA for both incoming and outgoing calls.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_Edited 2014-01-22 The call quality sunk allmost to the level of magic jack . I will not use it for outgoing calls any more.____________________________________________________________
Edited 2015/11/28
Stopped using GV entirely in March 2014 and do not miss it for second, ported my numbers away.
_____________________________________________________________
_______________________-
Original review:
The call quality is surprisingly good, matches a number of VOIP providers. the consistency is excellent.Better than cell phone, suitable for serious use.
I had some problems with the reliability of call treatments( call forwarding etc) and I decided not to use them any more or only occasionally. The voice mail transcription is worthless.
Tech support nonexistent, only a user forum. International rates unimpressive.
DID choice used to be excellent, much less so currently but still good.
Can be used from (most)other countries as well as long as the account was set up in the US.
GV has currently a very major flaw, read here :
»Google Voice odd behavior

With all it's limitations, still fully recommended for a cost conscious person as a supplement to cell phones and other VOIP providers.

member for 11.1 years, 3071 visits, last login: 4.8 years ago
updated 7.8 years ago


Review by tired_runner See Profile

  • Location: CT
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Install: about 1 days
Free as in beer, clear calls, web-based basic controls
Can't use Google Voice app for calls via data unless I'm with Sprint
It's free... and it actually works well

My Other Reviews

·Frontier FiberOp..
I test-drove Google Voice for months before deciding to port my numbers there. Call quality is very good. At first I used Google Voice via GrooveIP and Talkatone, and both apps at the time of usage had severe quality issues. Voice sounded tiny and echo cancellation was awful. This then compelled me to use Asterisk via PIAF/FreePBX, which turned things around for the better.

Presently I have two numbers with Google Voice; one for home and one for the cell phone. The home phone rings via Asterisk and a very nifty $35 gadget named Raspberry Pi that's similar in functionality as an ObiHai, but with a much steeper learning curve and advanced features. The cell phone rings via Google Hangouts app. Google still has work to do in improving the Hangouts app, but I've managed to get it working with some degree of success.

Google Voice does not include 911 or Caller ID with name, though it does display caller phone numbers. International toll rates are somewhat competitive and you can easily add talk time using Google Wallet. I have not suffered from mass spam or robocalls, which I skeptically would attribute to a spam filter in the web interface.

Free calls... Easy integration with free open source platforms... Barebones telephone service at best...

member for 23.6 years, 10903 visits, last login: a few hours ago
lodged 9.1 years ago


Review by cbrain See Profile

  • Location: Silver Spring, Montgomery, MD, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Install: about 1 days
Free service, great features, has worked well for me over 6 years
no direct support, little communication or direction for the future
great value at twice the price, could be gone tomorrow
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In 2006 I experimented with Asterisk and several VoIP vendors including this service then named GrandCentral. It worked well but I wasn't ready to trust my primary number to a free provider. I experienced unanticipated problems with 2 other providers and started using this as a primary incoming number September 2007. I soon added numbers for family, now 10 numbers.

Incoming call forwarding -

Outbound calling -

Features -

Web clients - Free Google Chrome extension to list voice mail, send free outgoing calls, text messages or dial a number from contacts or on the screen. Other extensions available.

Asterisk/PBX -

ATA - Several available methods to receive free inbound calls and even make free outbound.

Cell phone integration - Google voice plays well with cell phones, especially Android. I can use either number from my contact list or keypad. I use Google Voice voice-mail for both GV and cell numbers. I have 1 mailbox and get notice with text translation of every message. This can be delivered by text message, email, cell notice, by phone or by the Android client. I get notice of missed call and VM message left. One click on the icon and I have a list of all message with text or I can 1 click listen. I can directly return the call from the notice. Both numbers are forwarded on busy, no answer or unreachable. If I'm on either the cell or desk, all my calls ring any listed open phone. Several other interesting apps extend capabilities.

member for 23.8 years, 4605 visits, last login: 6.5 years ago
updated 10.2 years ago


Review by blohner See Profile

  • Location: Cortlandt Manor, Westchester, NY, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Install: about 1 days
Free; Able to port in number; excellent for domestic
nothing so far
Can't beat the price. It just works for me. Replaced a 25$ month Vonage line
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Update Sept 2013:

Almost no issue: A couple of times the setting in the google account changed to result in the calls going to voicemail. After logging in and changing them back everything was fine... I will be a happy camper as long as this keeps working

Update Nov 2011:

After >6 month of Google Voice for my primary line I am a happy camper... I moved more lines over to Google Voice. The enhanced calling features, integration with Android (e.g. Voicemail Widget) etc... would make this a great service even if there was a monthly charge... At the current free rate you can't beat it...

I ported my Vonage line (with an intermediate step of t-mobile prepaid since Google only ports in mobile numbers) over in 4 days. Using an OB110 with Google Voice and am 100% happy. Is it a true landline replacement? Probably not. But I have a cellphone, ooma, sipgate and betamax as a backup and have yet to use either one... It's been a couple of month and so far as I can tell I have 100% uptime... Go google go...

member for 21.7 years, 11129 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 10.5 years ago


Review by David See Profile

  • Location: Granite City, Madison, IL, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Install: about 1 days
A good value with a regular land line, VoIP not so much.
doesn't do social network sites, not a true SMS type of number
It works and does what I need
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A good value to have if you have a land line based telephone, and a broadband connection to the google voice page. Just punch in the number (anywhere in the U.S.) and set your target number to your landline and hit "call".

It doesn't cost anything for phone calls because Google voice will call your landline phone first then ring the party you are trying to call.

So if you want the reliability of your land line telephone, and have the long distance capability of a VoIP this service is just right for you.

For people who already have a VoIP as the primary service, this will be a bit of a waste, as most VoIP can already call all over the U.S.

4/2/11=
still have google voice, and now their e-mail integrates as a softphone. I use it a lot of times with a bluetooth headset and my bluetooth enabled laptop.

8/10/12- update time again- I use a spare magicjack dongle with my google voice these days. it's easier than getting a voip box

05/15/13- still have google voice.

member for 21.8 years, 7635 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 10.8 years ago


Review by pandora See Profile

  • Location: Outland
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Free service (for now)
Absolutely no customer support, no official ATA support
GV intends to be a PC based free VOIP service until the end of 2011
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Update 3: I use Google Voice more and more, the service is great and it's free. Hard to beat decent VOIP for free.
Update 2: It's been a year since my last update, which is hard to believe. Google Voice still works fine with my Oibtalk devices. Had to beat free.
Update 1: I'm updating in a bit less than 6 months to synchronize all my provider reviews on a 6 month schedule. So far Google Voice has been an excellent deal, and the price has been great. The biggest problem is lack of customer support if there is a problem or if my account (and thus my phone number) were to be hacked.

Google Voice (GV) is a free VOIP service which seems intended to be PC based.

There are many numbers to choose from in my area, getting a number I liked was amazingly easy. There is no cost for Google Voice at least until the end of 2011.

Voice quality seems to vary a bit, some days it's very good, other days it isn't. If there is a change for better (or worse) I'll update this review.

My access to Google Voice is via an Obihai ATA. I pick up my phone, and can dial numbers in the U.S. Google also provides an incoming phone number, people may call me. There is no charge for the Google service, but Obihai charges $44 or $50 for their low and high end ATA's (respectively).

The google website is decent, though set up wasn't as easy as it could have been (I needed to activate Google Chat with Google Voice for some reason). Google seems to provide no direct technical support. Also while Obihai seems able to function as an ATA, it appears Google isn't actively supporting it's service through ATA's.

There is no 911 or E911 service. I'd be concerned if my email was hacked that my phone number could be lost with it. Without customer service, it's tough to consider Google Voice as a full replacement VOIP service. Instead I use it as a supplementary free VOIP service.

member for 22.8 years, 6388 visits, last login: 1 year ago
updated 11 years ago

hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Replacement

GV was never meant to be a replacement service. It's there way of just obtaining more data for the end-user.

What hurts Google the most is there is NO customer service (not lack of). Even businesses do NOT get customer support for paid products. Welcome to the world of Google.
ArizonaSteve
join:2004-01-31
Apache Junction, AZ

1 edit

ArizonaSteve

Member

Outgoing calls?

I haven't seen any capability for GV to place outgoing calls.
Can you explain how you are able to do that?
Never mind, after reading the directions for setting up the Obi device I noticed that you have to configure GV on the obitalk.com web site so it's not really calling through GV directly but using obitalk.com as a sip client to forward calls to GV. I wonder if there is any way to get it to call GV directly cause the Obi device will be non-functional if Obi ever goes bust?
pandora
Premium Member
join:2001-06-01
Outland

pandora

Premium Member

Re: Outgoing calls?

said by ArizonaSteve:

I haven't seen any capability for GV to place outgoing calls.
Can you explain how you are able to do that?
Never mind, after reading the directions for setting up the Obi device I noticed that you have to configure GV on the obitalk.com web site so it's not really calling through GV directly but using obitalk.com as a sip client to forward calls to GV. I wonder if there is any way to get it to call GV directly cause the Obi device will be non-functional if Obi ever goes bust?

I think you can configure the ObiTalk device locally (and not use the OBI website). Google Voice doesn't passwords don't have to be provided to OBI IIRC.
ArizonaSteve
join:2004-01-31
Apache Junction, AZ

ArizonaSteve

Member

Re: Outgoing calls?

On Voxilla there are directions for setting up the Obi device locally. However they say to set SignalingProtocol to “Google Voice” and other devices don't have that option or Gtalk so I guess you can't use a Cisco phone, SunRocket box or other device with GV.
»voxilla.com/2011/01/24/h ··· ree-2512
pandora
Premium Member
join:2001-06-01
Outland

pandora

Premium Member

Re: Outgoing calls?

said by ArizonaSteve:

On Voxilla there are directions for setting up the Obi device locally. However they say to set SignalingProtocol to “Google Voice” and other devices don't have that option or Gtalk so I guess you can't use a Cisco phone, SunRocket box or other device with GV.
»voxilla.com/2011/01/24/h ··· ree-2512

My understanding is you can establish an application specific password for your google voice account. The password will only work with that application.

To see how to do this, visit »www.obitalk.com/forum/in ··· ic=742.0

The accounts I'm using are junk accounts (at this time). Later, if GV charges, I may look into this more.

Review by JohnKirchner See Profile

  • Location: Great Falls, Cascade, MT, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Excellent for forwarding and VM
Need more local numbers
Very nice service for free!
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I use GV as an enhancement to my cell phone. Perfect if you do not want to give out your actual cell number or if you have friends and family in Canada since calls and text messages are free.

So many features and options that you would think cell providers would offer but do not...at least not for free anyways.

member for 18.9 years, 1679 visits, last login: 4.8 years ago
lodged 11.5 years ago

bejee
join:2007-07-30
Orleans, VT

bejee

Member

works great with an Obi 110...

Some latency when calling cell phones but that is to be expected. Otherwise a nice second line (first is VOIP.ms).






Review by hudiat See Profile

  • Location: undisclosed location
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Amazing solution for adding new numbers and forwarding
SMS is iffy, but usually works perfect
Great service
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Overall great service. I used to get a number in a different area code to give out, it just forwards to my main number. I can even set it only to answer certain hours.

member for 12.4 years, 377 visits, last login: 9.5 years ago
lodged 11.9 years ago


ZC_217
join:2010-02-07
Des Moines, IA

ZC_217

Member

Does this even count?

Does GV even count? In order for GV to work, it relays on your current phone service through another company. GV doesn't have any phone infrastructure. If you have it going to a cell phone then it's actually VZW/ATT/Sprint/TMobile etc. that is actually providing services. SMS on GV just relay's on either your cell phones data network connection which GV has no control over or you just access it via the web. If you have it forwarding calls to a landline of some sort then it is all dependent on the landline service provider for call quality and such.

Gork
Ou812ic
join:2001-10-06
Bountiful, UT

Gork

Member

Re: Does this even count?

ZC_217 See Profile,
There is currently hardware available that will allow you to connect your phone sytem directly to the GV network. GV Jack is a software solution which works in this fashion with MJ hardware, for instance.

»"GVJack App" Converts MJ Dongles To Google Voice

So, whether or not the reviewer is only using GV through other phone companies I'd say it counts. And fwiw, been using GVJack with GV for about a month now and have been very happy with the results.

And to the OP, thanks for taking the time to review.






Review by jwxa See Profile

  • Location: Nashville, Davidson, TN, USA
  • Business customer Business customer
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Install: about 1 days
Good Features, Good Quality, Portable
Caller does not see your Google Voice CID
No complaints
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I use Google Voice as the voice mail for my mobile phone and like the features. Voice mail to text and transcribed in my email is very cool. I love my Google Voice telephone number and I am starting to give that out as my main number. Good for screening calls, and ringing more than one phone. I can call out from my Google Apps email account using my Google Voice #.

I also have an account for our family and have it associated with a Google apps account that I maintain for our family emails.

I wish I could have both Google voice #'s ring to my cell phone, but I haven't tried that yet. Overall, I'm impressed with all of the features and call quality.

member for 12.2 years, 19 visits, last login: 9.6 years ago
lodged 12.2 years ago