Google Voice released for Android and BlackBerry, but not iPhone

[AppleInsider]

Google has released its mobile Voice application for the Android and BlackBerry platforms, but future release of the program on the iPhone will depend on acceptance from Apple and perhaps AT&T.

While iPhone users can currently access Google Voice from the Safari browser, what Android and BlackBerry users received Wednesday was a full-fledged independent application that allows users to make calls, send text messages and check voicemail through their separate Google-provided phone number.

Google would like to release an iPhone version of the application, and is "working with Apple" to do so, according to the New York Times.

One unique element Google is touting is the ability to make international calls at a reduced rate. It also allows for text messages to be sent and received for free through the number, also bypassing the cell phone carrier. Google Voice also transcribes voicemails and reads numbers from the smartphone's phonebook.

These capabilities led Wired to speculate that AT&T and Apple could "cripple" a Google Voice iPhone application. It cites the fact that both companies have blocked video applications and forced Skype to nix a feature allowing free phone calls via the phone's data plan.

Currently, the Google Voice service is available to users by invite only.

The new application addresses one crucial problem with Google Voice: While someone might be able to call a user at their Google Voice number, they would likely receive a return call from the cell, home or office number where the person is available. Through the new program, the outgoing call will now appear as the Google Voice number.

Originally called Grand Central, Google Voice is a service that allows consumers to control a variety of phone numbers via one, centralized number. Through the configurable service, calls can be forwarded to or from any phone number and multiple phones can ring at once.

A blog post announcing the release of Google Voice simply said: "Before you ask, yes, we are working on ways to make this service available to iPhone users."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[iPedro]

Gonna give Skype a run for its money?

The quality of Skype calls to certain countries is unusable, I've had to give up using it.

[fulldecent]

Now that the app store has serious competition (yes, google pushing an app that seamlessly replaces your dialer and allows placing international calls at reduced rates is competition) we will have some transparency in the limitations of the Apple/ATT lockdown.

[fulldecent]

AT&T will slam down this app. Google could open source it, and then wham! distribute on Cydia.

[imixitup]

Hi Folks,
maybe I'm missing something here?
I have an iPhone 3GS and am using Google Voice.
Everything works fine

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by imixitup

Hi Folks,
maybe I'm missing something here?
I have an iPhone 3GS and am using Google Voice.
Everything works fine

Yes, you're missing something. If you call someone's landline from your iPhone -AND you want the call to show as coming from Google Voice - you need to call into Google Voice first, and then dial the number you want to call. Or use a web interface to initiate the call. A Google Voice application would most likely skip the step of having to call your GV number first or making you navigate to a web page.

On the plus side - if you're calling a friend on their mobile there's a way to dial them directly, and have the call look like it's coming from your GV number. Just direct dial the 406 area code number GV has assigned to your friend's mobile number. How do you know the 406 number? Ask your friend to text you at your GV number and you'll see it. Now you can use that 406 number to direct dial from the phones tied to your GV account. The recipient sees the callerID as your GV number.

The other thing you're missing: Sending an SMS from your GV number on the iPhone means you have to go into the web interface for GV. Here again the Google Voice app might be more convenient.

[imixitup]

I appreciate learning about what I'm missing. Thanks for the info.
I agree an App would be nice.
fingers crossed

[Shinrah]

I think there is much ado about nothing here to be honest, there are already 2 apps in the app store that are designed for google voice called GV mobile and voicestation if Im not mistaken that handle all of google voice features. Granted these are made by companies other than google but if they have been in the app store for months with multiple updates without incident I dont see why google would have trouble and even further google has been known to have a little more leverage with apple since their search app utilized unpublished APIs when it was initially released.

[diontew]

I just received an invitation last night, will this always be free? I don't think att is feeling the free sms feature, if they released an app with push notifications consumers could save up to 20 bucks a month.

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by imixitup

I appreciate learning about what I'm missing. Thanks for the info.
I agree an App would be nice.
fingers crossed

If you picture the app as looking just like the regular phone interface on your iPhone you can see why AT&T would be threatened. And if SMS is built in there's little reason to pay $20 a month to AT&T. The possibility of losing all those twenty dollar bills every month is probably more than AT&T can deal with.

[imixitup]

Originally Posted by walshbj

If you picture the app as looking just like the regular phone interface on your iPhone you can see why AT&T would be threatened. And if SMS is built in there's little reason to pay $20 a month to AT&T. The possibility of losing all those twenty dollar bills every month is probably more than AT&T can deal with.

I'm just happy to have a NYC area code back for my consulting up there, even though I live in the south now.

Also nce to have a number for strangers and BS phone requirements when registering from sites.

[4evjade]

I don't think google needs to make an App for the iPhone. There is already 3 I know of for the iPhone. I use "GV Mobile". Nice simple app. Has all the settings you'll need on the go. Including the ability to dial out.
The way the article reads, it almost sounds like the writer does not know how the service works. Google voice is NOT a VOIP service. It's more of an old fashion telephone relay service. To place a call with Google Voice.
-You choose your contact,
-That info is sent to the Google Voice server
-Google voice calls your phone setup in thier system
-You pick up the phone
-Google Voice then dials your contact for you

The only way to save money is to have your office, home & cell dial all at once. Which ever phone your closser to, pick it up. If you pick up from your cell, you still use At&t mins.

[NeoStylez]

There are apps out right now that do this..

GV Mobile is one of them done by http://seankovacs.com/

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by 4evjade

I don't think google needs to make an App for the iPhone. There is already 3 I know of for the iPhone. I use "GV Mobile". Nice simple app. Has all the settings you'll need on the go. Including the ability to dial out.
The way the article reads, it almost sounds like the writer does not know how the service works. Google voice is NOT a VOIP service. It's more of an old fashion telephone relay service. To place a call with Google Voice.
-You choose your contact,
-That info is sent to the Google Voice server
-Google voice calls your phone setup in thier system
-You pick up the phone
-Google Voice then dials your contact for you

The only way to save money is to have your office, home & cell dial all at once. Which ever phone your closser to, pick it up. If you pick up from your cell, you still use At&t mins.

True - it's not VOIP. But what's stopping Google from making it VOIP?

I agree - people are still using their AT&T voice minutes. The SMS part is currently the biggest threat to AT&T. They're still getting paid for my incoming SMS messages because I have GV set to send them to my true mobile number. But I'll be sending all my outbound SMS through GV. So I'll need about half as many paid SMS messages. AT&T won't like that. Big dents in pure profit.

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by diontew

I just received an invitation last night, will this always be free?

Are you actually expecting an accurate answer to that question?

[dizzy13]

Originally Posted by walshbj

They're still getting paid for my incoming SMS messages because I have GV set to send them to my true mobile number. But I'll be sending all my outbound SMS through GV. So I'll need about half as many paid SMS messages. AT&T won't like that. Big dents in pure profit.

If google release an official GV app and it has push, then you won't need anything incoming SMS either. I think the biggest threat to SMS is PUSH.

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by dizzy13

If google release an official GV app and it has push, then you won't need anything incoming SMS either. I think the biggest threat to SMS is PUSH.

Good. SMS needs a threat. $20 on top of $30 for data is ridiculous. Herb Kohl needs to get to the bottom of this !

[stuffe]

Am I missing something - web-app?

No need to anyone's permission, OK it needs net access, but so does Google voice.

[Trajectory]

If AT&T offered MMS and tethering, they wouldn't have to worry about Google or other apps. They are bringing this upon themselves because of their sloth-like pace in providing features other phone companies already offer.

[ouragan]

A blog post announcing the release of Google Voice originally included a reference to the alleged iPhone development, but it was later removed from the page.

Perhaps, it's just too good for iPhone owners. Or, perhaps, there is something really wrong with the way Apple screens which applications are good enough for you. Is the Great One still on sick leave?

[stonefree]

Can anyone tell me if Google Voice allows sending of texts to groups? I do party promotions and use texting services that are rather expensive to send out a few hundred texts via SMS. If an alternative exists, that would be fantastic.

[Matthew Yohe]

Originally Posted by stonefree

Can anyone tell me if Google Voice allows sending of texts to groups? I do party promotions and use texting services that are rather expensive to send out a few hundred texts via SMS. If an alternative exists, that would be fantastic.

It does not... Yet.

[8CoreWhore]

Clearly Google's own App will have functionality beyond that of the third party GV App. Push - and maybe more. I currently have a GV Voice number and it is amazing. It's what the stupid telcos should've gave us a long time ago. But instead we got limited features for a mint. "The Works" -- anyone?

[stonefree]

Originally Posted by Matthew Yohe

It does not... Yet.

Too bad. I wonder if it would be possible with AppleScript?

[8CoreWhore]

Originally Posted by ouragan

Perhaps, it's just too good for iPhone owners. Or, perhaps, there is something really wrong with the way Apple screens which applications are good enough for you. Is the Great One still on sick leave?

You don't understand the issues. And lets leave the term "Great One" for Canadians who were too good for Canada.

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

Clearly Google's own App will have functionality beyond that of the third party GV App. Push - and maybe more. I currently have a GV Voice number and it is amazing. It's what the stupid telcos should've gave us a long time ago. But instead we got limited features for a mint. "The Works" -- anyone?

If telcos had any pride they'd be pretty embarrassed about their residential services in comparison to Google Voice. What changes have been made to residential voicemail in the last 15 years?

And in response do we even see the telcos trying to offer competing products? Nope. They try to get everyone from VOIP to Google shutdown in court.

[IsmOfAm]

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

I currently have a GV Voice number and it is amazing.

Just curious, how do you get invited to GV? Do you get to pick your own number? Thanks

[Trajectory]

Originally Posted by walshbj

If telcos had any pride they'd be pretty embarrassed about their residential services in comparison to Google Voice. What changes have been made to residential voicemail in the last 15 years? And in response do we even see the telcos trying to offer competing products? Nope. They try to get everyone from VOIP to Google shutdown in court.

The exact same path the RIAA took with digital music. Eventually these dinosaurs will die off if they don't innovate. But, they'll use a scorched-Earth strategy and try to kill any innovation first.

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by IsmOfAm

Just curious, how do you get invited to GV? Do you get to pick your own number? Thanks

you can request an invite at google.com/voice

You get to pick from a pool of numbers. They have a tool that let's you check for "vanity" numbers you might like to have - like your name.

[hezekiahb]

Originally Posted by fulldecent

AT&T will slam down this app. Google could open source it, and then wham! distribute on Cydia.

I wouldn't be surprised to see other carriers slam the door on the service too. Just because you are free to install it on a Bberry or WinMB device doesn't mean your carrier will allow the service.

The good news is that if they start banning it they are very likely to face some serious class action lawsuits from people, which hopefully will in turn end the ridiculous price gouging on texting.

[quinney]

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

You don't understand the issues. And lets leave the term "Great One" for Canadians who were too good for Canada.

Gold medal baste

[GregAlexander]

I hope Apple would be happy to release this to any carrier that wants to support it, around the world. Already they've shown some of this willingness with MMS & Tethering.

Also, making certain features work via wifi is a way to get this started.

I'm hoping the next iPod Touch will have speaker/microphone, so it can be a VoIP phone.