Joy OkoroThis week, I wanted to tell you how to make the most of Google Voice by using it to make free calls over WiFi from iOS or Android. If you’ve ever seen the incredible rates that mobile operators charge while roaming, you’ll quickly see why this could be of incredible value.
Right now, you might think, “I can not already do it from the Google Voice app?” In fact, no, you can not, and that’s one of the most misconceptions spread on Google Voice. Let me try to clarify that if possible.
Important Update (3-31-14): I just discovered that the Talkatone application described in this article will no longer be compatible with the Google Voice service as of May 15, 2014.
This is because Google has stopped to support the Talkatone XMPP protocol (and other services like OBiTALK) relied on.
The good news is that VOIP calls using your Google Voice number are now available through the Google Hangouts app for iOS (voice call feature coming soon on the Android version). Note that the Hangouts app should not be confused with the Google Voice app (iOS or Android) that makes it easy to make calls using standard cellular and landline lines, as well as changing Google Voice settings. What follows is the original message:
Google Voice is a lot of things, but when the Google Voice app (iOS or Android) is used from a mobile device, it’s not a Voice over IP (VOIP) application.
He can not make calls without using your cellular minutes. You might think that you are fighting the system while traveling, only to find a huge bill when you get home.
The Google Voice app uses a data connection to communicate with Google and configure the call, but the call is then made as a standard voice call at the rates mentioned above.
The main benefit of the Google Voice native application is to hide your real number when making calls or sending free text messages.
However, when used from a computer, Google Voice can make VoIP calls using the Google Chat service. So just use a Google Chat app on your mobile device, right? Nope. Google does not currently create a mobile application that can make VoIP calls on regular phones. This is where apps like Talkatone come in.
Talkatone connects to the Google Chat service, as you would from a computer, and allows you to make VoIP calls from your mobile device using your Google Voice number.
Even though Talkatone makes calls on 3G / 4G data, its real advantage lies in the use of Wi-Fi roaming. Calls to US and Canadian numbers are free with Google Voice. In addition, prices for other countries are cheap. For all US and Canadian travelers, this means that calls made during your next trip abroad could be completely free (if you can find a WiFi hotspot). You can even configure Talkatone to receive calls to your Google Voice number.
How is the audio quality? Weeeeelll is not too bad, but it’s not great when you use the free version of the Talkatone app. I’ll admit though, I have not done extensive quality testing yet. If you have real world experience with the app, please let me know your impressions of it.
The initial download of the app is loaded with ads and offers average voice quality. For ads to disappear and you get superior sound, you need to upgrade to the premium version. The good part is that they offer a 14-day trial (but the ads stay), or you can sign up for a monthly subscription at $ 1.99, or even an annual subscription at $ 19.99.
Hey developers have to earn money one way or another? I do not really see this as a bad thing because my main use for the app is to save money while traveling.
If you travel all the time, I do not think $ 20 is spent on the hundreds of dollars you spend on roaming. Those who rarely travel can simply sign up for the one-month subscription. If you think that the average call quality is sufficient, you can at least get rid of annoying ads for a single cost of $ 9.99. At the very least, I strongly recommend that you download the free app in case you need it on your next trip.
This is a guest post from Julie Bradley.
She try to help every student. She helps to choose a topic for an essay, She carefully think through the structure and follow essay`s format.She blogs at Studymoose.com and other educational sites. Higher education, Master of Psychology. Degree in the Humanities.
