[Hidden-tech] Best VoIP?

[Duane Dale]

Google Voice isn't your standard VoIP, but maybe it would be worth
considering alongside more standard VoIP providers.

You dial a call from your computer at google.com/voice. GV rings you on one
or more of your phone numbers (landline or wireless) and as soon as you
pick up, it places your call and connects you. Basically a VoIP call, I
think.

But from a smartphone (or at least from an Android phone), it's almost
seamless: Once GV is installed on your phone, you dial (or select a contact
from your GMail/GoogleVoice contact list), a pop-up asks whether to place
the call as a GV call or a non-GV call, and then it rings through.

It's my impression that if you choose a GV call, you're using data bytes,
not cell phone minutes.  And so if you're on WiFi, it's a free call.

Those you call would see your GV number (essentially a virtual phone
number) on their caller ID. And if they call back using your GV number, you
can have it set up to ring on your cell, a landline, a vacation home, or
several at once.

There are more features:
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html#

One way it could cost you is if your wireless carrier gives you free calls
to others on that carrier (such as Verizon's minutes-free VZW-to-VZW
calls). Calls placed in or out through GV wouldn't qualify, I'm pretty sure.

You can get a GV phone number for free, but you can probably port your
current cell # -- which can be a hassle and involve some costs and
surprises (personal experience; if you try doing that with VZW, email me
first for advice). You would then get a new cell number, but you might keep
giving out the old one (now = GoogleVoice #).

-- Duane Dale



On Thu, May 24, 2012 at 9:20 AM, Rick Chaff <rick at picturesofsound.com>wrote:

>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
>  Can anyone recommend a VoIP service they love?
>
> Thanks,
> Rick
>
> --
> Rick Chaff
> Pictures of Sound
> Box 226
> Warren, MA 01083413-436-9311
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20120524/325a0d2a/attachment.html