 Tcomp
join:2008-07-29
Greenbelt, MD | Game changer I do view this as a 'game changer' because Google is bringing unified communications to the masses. It's a brand that everyday consumers know and trust.
'»telecompetitor.com/node/1139'
Skype laid the groundwork, but the Skype brand is still too "geekish" for the average consumer. Google will take this to the next level and will compel traditional service providers to respond. BTW, that response may just mean partnering with Google. | |
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 | me1212
join:2008-11-20
Pleasant Hill, MO | Re: Game changer I agree somewhat. google is something every1 knows about and most people trust it, but skype has Opera on it side, so... it could go ether way. | |
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| |  CheesePremium
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL
kudos:1 | Re: Game changer said by me1212:I agree somewhat. google is something every1 knows about and most people trust it, but skype has Opera on it side, so... it could go ether way. The average person has no idea what Opera is. | |
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| | | me1212
join:2008-11-20
Pleasant Hill, MO | Re: Game changer But she is the most powerful woman on earth.......  Did I miss spell her name? | |
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| | | | | | Re: Game changer said by me1212:But she is the most powerful woman on earth....... Did I miss spell her name?  | |
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| | | | | me1212
join:2008-11-20
Pleasant Hill, MO | Re: Game changer  | |
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| openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | said by Tcomp:It's a brand that everyday consumers know and trust. I don't understand how a company that openly admits that they mine all of your data and exploit it for profit is so well liked by the masses when those same masses are eager to point fingers at other companies for doing the same or less. Just wait for the day when Google becomes the new public enemy number one after everyone realizes that Google knows every single thing about them and every communication that they've had. | |
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| | Tcomp
join:2008-07-29
Greenbelt, MD | Re: Game changer You make a great point. Maybe Google's day of reckoning will come - but for now - they are one of the most recognized and trusted brands on the planet. We're talking everyday consumers, who probably don't recognize the issues you bring up. For Google, ignorance is bliss. | |
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| |  Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | said by openbox9:said by Tcomp:It's a brand that everyday consumers know and trust. I don't understand how a company that openly admits that they mine all of your data and exploit it for profit is so well liked by the masses when those same masses are eager to point fingers at other companies for doing the same or less. Just wait for the day when Google becomes the new public enemy number one after everyone realizes that Google knows every single thing about them and every communication that they've had. Some reviewers agree with you. The ability of Google to now see all your transcribed voice mail gives them one more window in to your life. And don't forget all of this can be subpoenaed by the police, as well as by others in civil lawsuits.
»blogs.computerworld.com/google_v···_privacy
Lost in all the hooplah about the release of Google Voice is this disturbing fact: The service will give Google enormous amounts of information about the intimate details of your everyday life, including recordings of your voice mail and possibly your phone calls. Combined with what Google already knows about you, it could mean your privacy is at an end.
Google will know everyone who called you and when they called. They'll have records of your voice mail, and because they offer free transcription, it means they'll have not just the voice, but text of your calls as well. They'll have recordings of your phone calls --- and I would expect them to offer transcriptions of them as well, which means they'll have the transcriptions as well as your calls.
It already does the equivalent of this in Gmail, looking for key words, and then displaying ads based on those words.
Privacy advocates are already worried. Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, when interviewed by the New York Times, has this warning about the service: "In the privacy world, it is increased profiling and tracking of users without safeguards."
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page | |
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| | | | | Re: Game changer Google = Baby Skynet? | |
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| | | |  DaSneaky1Done wall to block them allPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou | Re: Game changer "Google announces the release of the NS-5, the helper for every home"
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:: my trivial ramblings :: | |
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| | | | | becouse they openly admits to it. so when you sign up you know what you are facing and know what they will do. there are no surprises.
and becouse they openly admit to it you can make a informed decision | |
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| | | | I think you said why right there "openly admits."
People like to know what's going on, and when the truth is hidden from them their trust is broken.
Personally I wouldn't want anything containing sensitive personal information going over Google's network. But at least they let me know what is going to happen with it if I choose to use their services.
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OASAASLLS | |
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| | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | Re: Game changer Other companies admit to the selling, sharing, and exploitation of your private information too if you're willing to read the privacy statements. The problem is that people see a shiny new service for a decent price and then stop listening/reading after that. Back to "average" consumers, which this thread is aimed at, generally they don't know, or care, about the privacy issues...until it's too late....and that includes Google services as well. | |
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| | | | | | Re: Game changer The fact that these companies generally have hidden their privacy practices (and other practices) from the public in the past has already broken the trust. Just because right now they disclose information on privacy practices doesn't somehow negate that.
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OASAASLLS | |
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| | | | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | Re: Game changer I don't know about you, but I receive "privacy statements" all of the time in the mail from companies that I do business with. A quick 2 or 3 minute read informs me of the situation, and what I need to do to opt out of their "value added services". | |
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| |  TzaleProud Libertarian ConservativePremium
join:2004-01-06
NYC Metro | said by openbox9:said by Tcomp:It's a brand that everyday consumers know and trust. I don't understand how a company that openly admits that they mine all of your data and exploit it for profit is so well liked by the masses when those same masses are eager to point fingers at other companies for doing the same or less. Just wait for the day when Google becomes the new public enemy number one after everyone realizes that Google knows every single thing about them and every communication that they've had. Google doesn't do anything illegal or immoral. If it is on the internet, it is USUALLY because you made it available to the internet.
--
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. | |
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| Reviews:
 ·Armstrong Zoom ..
| I do not agree Skype is too "Geekish" for the average. Many people I know, for example execs on the road in other countries, have downloaded and used Skype for years without my "approval" or help.
I never liked Skype. To me VOIP is critical when it comes to voice quality, without it nothing else matters. Skype never really had that for me. (I have always been on T1 or greater connections with QOS enabled, etc) I currently have fiber to my home and I prefer Vonage because of voice quality. To me Skype is MagicJack in a way.
I do think Google will take the product and do what is best for it. I see it becoming a way for not only the average user but all users to take advantage of. I cannot wait to give it a go/look and see what I get.
Off topic, sort of: What I really would like to see is a quality video conferencing part come into play. MSN to name many "free or cheap" services are what they are, just fine. But quality video calls are where is needs to be. I get a lot of crap for saying that but for those that travel with kids and/or need to video conference with employment, it is something that people have been waiting to see. Bandwidth now becoming in the range of video conferencing usability, I see it as a huge advantage to a provider. Example, my kids love to see me or my wife on our big screen high def TV and able to talk to them however ever put MSN on a big screen TV?
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| | | | Re: Game changer you must not have tired MSN Live then. | |
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| | | | | Re: Game changer No, I use it, but ever put it up on a TV?
Maybe I am missing something?
Can you be more specific? | |
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| | | | | | Re: Game changer MSN works fine. you don't have something set right. Cause it should work just fine. I dont' know the settings as i never put it on my TVs but i've seen it and itd work just fine. | |
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| | | | the latest skype upgrade is being touted as having higher quality video. | |
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| | Google Once again proving that the prices you pay everywhere else are a load of crap.
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OASAASLLS | |
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 jjoshuaPremium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
kudos:1
1 edit | It's a nice service but... I really don't use it unless I'm going to forward my calls when I'm on vacation.
I still need to have a cell phone and a home phone.
If google voice wants to offer voip service, then that may be a game changer. | |
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|  tiger72SexaT duorPPremium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1
 ·T-Mobile US
1 edit | Re: It's a nice service but... There is a LOT of talk in T-mobile forums about Google Voice. Why?
If you use a MyFaves plan, you can set up one of those faves as a Google Voice number, allowing you to get completely free calls from anyone via your myfaves line and Google Voice.
So you may still need the phone lines, but at least it can bring down some charges on that cell line if you have TMO (or VZW's new myfaves-like plan). | |
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| |  nklbPremium
join:2000-11-17
Ann Arbor, MI
kudos:2 | Re: It's a nice service but... said by tiger72:There is a LOT of talk in T-mobile forums about Google Voice. Why? If you use a MyFaves plan, you can set up one of those faves as a Google Voice number, allowing you to get completely free calls from anyone via your myfaves line and Google Voice. So you may still need the phone lines, but at least it can bring down some charges on that cell line if you have TMO (or VZW's new myfaves-like plan). You CAN do this, but if you get caught, you are violating your terms of service.
--
for all your Linux questions | |
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| | | Reviews:
·WOW Internet and..
| Re: It's a nice service but... LOL. I never seen that in my terms LOL. Did it for over a year. Unlimited calls It is a phone number and people can call it. T-Mobile says ANY Number ANY Network.
But then again I don't have them anymore since they decided to play screw the customer. | |
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| | | | watice
join:2008-11-01
New York, NY | Re: It's a nice service but... said by hottboiinnc:LOL. I never seen that in my terms LOL. Did it for over a year. Unlimited calls It is a phone number and people can call it. T-Mobile says ANY Number ANY Network. But then again I don't have them anymore since they decided to play screw the customer. hmmm, think they'll block GV numbers from being added to myfavs when this thing launches? I guess only time will tell. | |
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| | | | | | | Re: It's a nice service but... ive had it fine for over a year and worked until last week when i left them and ported my number. | |
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| | | | nklbPremium
join:2000-11-17
Ann Arbor, MI
kudos:2 | From the t-mobile site, with emphasis added by me:
said by »www.t-mobile.com/templates/gener···sLrnDemo :*Your five numbers must be US domestic numbers and must not include 411, voicemail, toll-free, 900, calling card, and customers' own numbers; and single numbers allowing access to 500 or more persons. I am a t-mobile customer with a myfaves plan, and were it not for THIS PROVISION I AGREED TO, I would have added my grandcentral account to my "myFaves" list.
So TWO of those provisions prohibit use of grandcentral/google voice numbers with your myfaves list.
--
for all your Linux questions | |
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| | | | | | | Re: It's a nice service but... The GV/GC number does not call over 500 people. Also it is not a "voice mail" number it is a FIND ME Option.
And like i said if they wanted to screw me i'll screw them and did. Thanks TM for the Unlimited calls for $40 per month! | |
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| | | | | | nklbPremium
join:2000-11-17
Ann Arbor, MI
kudos:2 | Re: It's a nice service but... said by hottboiinnc:The GV/GC number does not call over 500 people. Also it is not a "voice mail" number it is a FIND ME Option. And like i said if they wanted to screw me i'll screw them and did. Thanks TM for the Unlimited calls for $40 per month! It doesn't need to actually be used to call over 500 people, the way it is worded it just needs to provide ACCESS to 500 or more persons, which it does.
Also, it is your own number, which is also expressly forbidden.
"and customers' own numbers; and single numbers allowing access to 500 or more persons."
--
for all your Linux questions | |
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| | | | | |  otty
join:2008-10-24
Revelstoke, BC | A side note: This also works in Canada with the Rogers My 5 plan.
But whats the big deal? You can do this with almost ANY voip provider. Most offer call forwarding and a dial through or calling card type service? This is not unique to GV. | |
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| | | | | | | Reviews:
·WOW Internet and..
| Re: It's a nice service but... thats what i'm trying to figure out.
I also don't own my grandparents number which was one of My5.
This works with any provider that has the Fav plans. Also Alltel's allows 800#s to be added to their circle you gonna complain about that? | |
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| | | | | | | Who calls more than 500 different numbers in a month? | |
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3 edits | You should be able to do this with Verizion friends and family plans or Sprint to Home plan? | |
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| | BuzzDar
join:2006-01-28
West Frankfort, IL | why should i not be able to do this as long as im using a tmo my favs number or a vzw f and f number or any other promo on any other network. this is nothing new this was available before the switch to google voice. | |
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| | | | | Re: It's a nice service but... maybe it will work like, if I dial myself, GV will 'know' my number and allow me to dialout by calling myself. That's similar to how most cellular voicemail systems work. It's purely speculation, but if that is indeed how it works, then it will make it extremely difficult to block GV since there won't be a GV number local to an area code, there will be thousands upon thousands. To the people who are saying that this isn't anything special, this will be the gmail of voicemail. | |
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| | Reviews:
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by tiger72:There is a LOT of talk in T-mobile forums about Google Voice. Why? If you use a MyFaves plan, you can set up one of those faves as a Google Voice number, allowing you to get completely free calls from anyone via your myfaves line and Google Voice. So you may still need the phone lines, but at least it can bring down some charges on that cell line if you have TMO (or VZW's new myfaves-like plan). If this is true, game over on my phone bill ! | |
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| | | | | Re: It's a nice service but... that was over on my phone bill along time ago! as soon as i found out about Grand Central mine was set up. A great way to reduce your phone bill. | |
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| | Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
| I use this daily on my Google Phone. You can even make outbound calls with it. You dial the number through the Google Grand Central App and it calls you back with your GC number. Again in my favs and does not come out of my minutes ha ha
Go T-Mobile and Google! | |
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| | | | | Re: The G1 has a application to also make outbound calls with it Not just T-M it works with Alltel and VZ as well. And Sprint Home To Phone. | |
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| | | | | said by openupshop:I use this daily on my Google Phone. You can even make outbound calls with it. You dial the number through the Google Grand Central App and it calls you back with your GC number. Again in my favs and does not come out of my minutes ha ha Go T-Mobile and Google! there's a Google Grand Central application that Google specifically made?
If so, hopefully they'll make one for Windows Mobile (though iDialer is really nice, as is). | |
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| | | | dublus
join:2000-08-24
Moorpark, CA | Re: The G1 has a application to also make outbound calls with it Have you tried the iDialer & iContact combo ?
Works great in my Windows Mobile phone the same way his Google Phone works. | |
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| | | | | | |  Re: The G1 has a application to also make outbound calls with it
I really like iDialer...I just need Free Incoming to make it practical.
I also contacted the maker of iDialer and he said he will be working on making it so that it will work with Google Voice, so that's great to hear. | |
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| |  acehydeTired.Premium
join:2001-08-14 | You can also do this with a MagicJack - I have one installed on a customers computer and have the number call forwarded to their cell (and the MagicJack number is on of their Fav 5's). They never get hit with any overages, doesn't count against their minutes, etc. | |
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| |  MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY | this is nothing new. people have been talking about it ever since grandcenteral was released.
but this is not going to work because grandcentral forwards caller-id info. myfav work based on caller-id.
if disable forwarding of caller-id, you instantly cut grandcentral's usefulness.
--
Check out my awesome city of MxxTopia »mxxtopia.myminicity.com/ind or »mxxtopia.myminicity.com (the more people visit, the bigger it is) | |
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See 11 replies to this post |
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| | BuzzDar
join:2006-01-28
West Frankfort, IL Reviews:
·Mediacom
·Frontier Communi..
| if you have vzw F&F or tmo my favs or any other phone company that has similiar feature. First add your GV number to that list so you can make and reveice calls for free.
THEN
in your address book on your phone add this and you can now place free calls using your address book.
1234567890,20987654321#
the first numbers is the GV number and the 0987654321 is the number your calling.
for the , right after the gv number the , turns into a pause and the 2 chooses the option for dial out. followed the number your calling | |
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| | | | | Re: It's a nice service but... interesting...didnt know that. thanks for the tip for everyone who wants to use it. | |
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| | | | | said by BuzzDar:if you have vzw F&F or tmo my favs or any other phone company that has similiar feature. First add your GV number to that list so you can make and reveice calls for free. THEN in your address book on your phone add this and you can now place free calls using your address book. 1234567890,20987654321# the first numbers is the GV number and the 0987654321 is the number your calling. for the , right after the gv number the , turns into a pause and the 2 chooses the option for dial out. followed the number your calling
Doesn't work for me. My account doesn't have the call forward option. | |
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| | Reviews:
 ·Optimum Voice
·VOIPo
·Optimum Online
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
| said by tiger72:There is a LOT of talk in T-mobile forums about Google Voice. Why? If you use a MyFaves plan, you can set up one of those faves as a Google Voice number, allowing you to get completely free calls from anyone via your myfaves line and Google Voice. So you may still need the phone lines, but at least it can bring down some charges on that cell line if you have TMO (or VZW's new myfaves-like plan). Good Idea, thanks!! | |
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| |  The BeerI Love It When A Plan Comes TogetherPremium
join:2001-07-24
Atlantic, IA | This is possible also using Sprint Pick 3 or the "Sprint To Home Plus" service. Both can be added as a free perk. | |
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|  NanoprobeCrunching in memory of MomPremium
join:2003-05-11
Crab Nebula
kudos:1 | Y'all do know that big brother (Google) will be listening in on all your calls don't you?  | |
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watice
join:2008-11-01
New York, NY | jklfkjgdf this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Now I won't have to do all the work of setting something like this up on my own. Can't wait. | |
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RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | Not so much a changer as an adder Until they reduce the very annoying latency that makes this as usable as a satellite-transported long distance call from the early 1980's it is mostly a geek curiosity. I have it and use it for things like rental listings but for regular calls it it worth what they charge. | |
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See 7 replies to this post |
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| | GV mobile site
The mobile site is not working yet
as you can see the message field does not load | |
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| | Verizon Wireless $23/month Unlimited Voice/Text Alltel U Alltel U Prepaid is $23/month with favorite number and unlimited text. Set your favorite number to your GV number and you have unlimited inbound/outbound calling in addition to unlimited texting on the Verizon network. Verizon acquired Alltel. | |
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| BuzzDar
join:2006-01-28
West Frankfort, IL | Re: Verizon Wireless $23/month Unlimited Voice/Text Alltel U never herd of this one? where would i find out about this? | |
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| | | | Re: Verizon Wireless $23/month Unlimited Voice/Text Alltel U 1) Subscribe to Google Voice (coming soon).
2) Choose the GV number as your Caller ID option.
2) Subscribe to Alltel U Prepaid (pay-per-day) choosing favorite number and text messaging as the two options.
4) Choose your GV number as your favorite number.
All of your inbound/outbound calls use the same Caller ID, therefore you have unlimited inbound/outbound calling.
The cost is .75/day ~$23/month TOTAL. Cost will be even lower if you purchase prepaid cards at a discount.
Verizon has acquired Alltel. Alltel U may or may not be around long term.
»www.alltel.com/wps/portal/Alltel···uprepaid | |
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| | Anyone heard a time frame for the upgrade? My 3 accounts are showing not ready; I've heard "within a few days" and am very much looking forward to giving it a try. Have used GC for a couple of years now and the GV features and reported improvement in call quality make me eager to get started. | |
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1 edit | Re: Anyone heard a time frame for the upgrade? My inbox says "Your account will soon be available for upgrade to Google Voice. Thank you for your patience". I'm not sure if that's the original message. What does yours say? | |
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nitzanPremium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
kudos:2 | Too little to change anything. While I agree Google Voice is a nice idea - and I am sure it'll bring excitement into the lives of countless geeks... the fact remains that it is not a tool for the masses. Geek-land is where it will remain. My mom ain't going to be using Google Voice anytime soon, yet she has Skype installed. (and NOT because I installed it for her)
GV in it's current phase is meaningless because it is not an effective way to communicate. Sure- you can give a few friends your GV number, but GV doesn't have the capability of CALLING OUT like a VoIP provider or Skype does. It doesn't support SIP. In other words you are still going to need a phone (or a bunch of them) to use Google Voice.
In other words- this does not change anything when it comes down to it. The only thing that changes is Google's bottom line (they are losing money on this thing, you know).
--
Nitzan Kon, CEO
Future Nine Corporation
--
Compare VoIP Provider Rates | |
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1 edit | Re: Too little to change anything. Incorrect. You can call outbound from any of you phone(s) by calling your GV number, then pressing 2. Your GV number is an outbound gateway for FREE domestic calling. I prefer this method rather than being tethered to a computer or DTA. GV is a game changer. I don't have a landline, nor VOIP; which I have had in the past. I pay $23/month for unlimited voice/text for my cellphone (Alltel U) in combination with GV. When I arrive home my cell becomes my landline via the Xlink. I use Localphone for international calling when needed.
On the contrary, Geekland is where most Voip services will remain, as shown by the enormous growth of cable telephony. | |
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| | nitzanPremium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
kudos:2 | Re: Too little to change anything. In the future "long distance" is not going to exist. Even today it is already not applicable to anyone with VoIP or a standard cell phone plan.
Point is- there is no way to call out from GV *without* a pre-existing phone. You must have either VoIP, land line, or a cell phone to use GV to begin with. Personally I have both VoIP (of course) and cellphone - neither of which incur long distance charges, and calling out through GV using either of which would not bring me any benefit whatsoever, on the contrary- it would just make me dial another number and add latency to the call.
If you have local land line then yes- GV will help, at least until "local" doesn't exist anymore. | |
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| | | | | Re: Too little to change anything. I'm sure google is working on porting numbers to google voice for corporate use once google voice is as reliable as POTS. With a couple of custom scripts and one of those digium phone line (rj-11) to ethernet boards, it's conceivable you could build a google voice dialer? | |
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TzaleProud Libertarian ConservativePremium
join:2004-01-06
NYC Metro |  It's Google Baby!!!
-Tzale | |
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| | | Re: It's Google Baby!!! To make free calls with Google Voice and Myfaves you do this:
add this to your phone book
googvoicenumber,2,numberyourcalling#,
simple as that
btw the , is a wait for the g1, other phones use P for pause or W for wait | |
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emoci
join:2007-05-29
Toronto, ON
kudos:1 | GV is not that different from GC People are getting a little carried away. Google Voice is nothing more than Grandcentral with a few added perks:
-You can now receive SMS to your GC number (and I hear talk of the SMS being forwarded to any mobile number)
-You can use your Google number as a CallThrough Access number
In any case, it is good to see signs of life from GrandCentral...I was worried there for a while...
For the privacy crowd, it is likely that they will data mine the VoiceMail transcripts...or they may originally make a play for LD calls.
In any case the difference btw Google and most of the other companies out there trying to grab my info:
-Google is handing out a free service and hopes to support it with ads customized to my habits (I know what they'll likely be doing with it)
-Most other providers and ISPs make me pay for their service, and then think they're entitled to my data, which they turn around and sell to a third party for god knows what reason (I have no inkling what these guys plan doing with it).
That's the basic difference | |
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| Kamilion
join:2008-03-14
Mountain View, CA | Re: GV is not that different from GC Hey, look at it this way... Google doesn't need to sell your information to advertisers -- they already own DoubleClick! | |
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