Archive for: voicemail
Remember the recently announced and released Google Voice integration on Sprint? Sounded like an awesome idea, and in theory it is. But as things continue to play out, it’s becoming apparent that both Sprint and Google have a massive cluster on their hands. Both Sprint and Google Voice forums are chock full of disgruntled users facing any and every problem under the sun. Everything from crippled accounts to voicemail security holes to overseas calling being incorrectly counted and billed signal a botched launch of a promising service — that is if you can even get the Google Voice/Sprint team to activate in the first place (as evident above by the error screenshot).
Of course the real kick in the face is that Sprint is referring all questions concerning Google Voice to Google’s own GV forums. Which if you know a thing or two about Google support in general means lots of unanswered questions. Multiply that times a lot and add in some novice users and you’ve got a quickly escalating problem. Hopefully Sprint and Google can sort this mess out quick, and shore up those glaring holes in support while they’re at it.
If you’re having any Google Voice issues on Sprint, may God have mercy on your soul — Google Voice Support Forum.
- November 16, 2010 2:33 pm
It’s been a long, long, looooong road — a submittal, removal, argument, and dry spell signaling there was no hope. But it appears that all is well in the world. Google announced via their blog that Apple has just released the official Google Voice app for iOS into the App Store.
Features:
- Display your Google Voice number as caller ID when making calls.
- Free text messaging to U.S. users
- Cheap rates for international calls
- Calls placed with Direct Access Numbers: Allows calls to connect just as quickly as regular phone calls.
You can pick up Google Voice for free in the App Store starting today. Requirements include iOS 3.1 and a valid Google Voice account.
Download [iTunes Link]
- September 13, 2010 7:18 pm
Reach back into the catacombs of your brain cavity and try to remember a little app called Google Voice Mobile. It was a nifty little app that at the time, aimed to make Google Voice integration on the iPhone a reality. Well, we all know how that ended up. GV Mobile was struck down as was Google’s own official Google Voice app. Fast forward many months through countless back-and-forth arguments and various investigations by several different organizations and the iPhone landscape has changed just a bit.
Late last week, news of Google Voice making a come back was spread amidst the fresh news of Apple revamping the iOS development rules and regulations. Namely, they loosened the belt around developers’ necks a few notches. With that said, Google Voice Mobile developer, Sean Kovacs, has stated via Twitter that he’s re-submitted his GV Mobile app and expects it to be approved within a week. Apparently, he’s mighty confident Apple won’t find fault with his app…again. Hey, I do to. Lord knows iPhone users need a legitimate Google Voice app, because the web interface just isn’t cuttin’ it. Stay tuned…
TechCrunch showed off a Google Voice desktop app last week. For me, it was kind of a surprise as Google is more or less all things web. Desktop apps are sort of anti-Google. Then again, I’ve seen stranger things. Anyway, numerous people fell in love with the idea of the GV App, though not the notion that Google wasn’t sure if they were ever going to release it.
That obviously won’t do. Once the masses have seen it, they want it. That’s the gist behind GiveUsGVDesktop.com anyway — to garner 500,000+ digital signatures in hopes Google can be persuaded. It’s a noble effort for sure. But do 500,000 people really actually care (or have a use for) a desktop-based Google Voice app? We’ll see.
In the mean time, if you want to show your support, mosey on over to the GV App petition website and sign the petition.
UK readers: Get up off your butts and shout! Google’s Eric Schmidt came forth at the Guardian Activate conference and stated that Google Voice is indeed coming to the UK. For those who still don’t know, Google Voice is a pretty awesome service that allows you to share one number across multiple land and cellular lines. Besides that, transcribed voicemails in SMS or email form further add sustenance to the service.
Unfortunately, Schmidt wasn’t as forthcoming about any specific dates or timeline. But the fact that it has now been acknowledged should at least count for something, right? Any UK readers excited?
File this in the “uh-oh” department. Apparently there’s a small issue with Android devices on AT&T that allows pretty much anyone to gain access to your voicemail. Downloading any number of caller ID spoofing apps in the Android market is the only requirement. Simply input the destination number and then set the spoofing caller ID app to mimic the destination number. As long as the number in question doesn’t have a voicemail password, you’re in.
From the looks of things, AT&T already knows about the vulnerability. Though they incorrectly implies that these “spoofing apps” exist solely to hack into peoples’ voicemail accounts in efforts to topple the world. But who’s counting, eh?
Moral of the story is pretty basic — put a password on your voicemail folks.
Productivity junkies, listen up. YouMail 2.0 is officially available. Along with the whole host of useful features that made YouMail 1.0 a breakthrough app back it’s glory day are several new features that you may want to look at.
A new, prettier face, better organization tools, a rework of the transcription technology, and faster delivery of voicemail mean an already solid mobile app is just that much better.
But don’t take my word for it. Instead, pilfer on through the carefully crafted press release…just after the jump.
- February 11, 2010 2:07 pm
Some may lambaste the G1 users for their old, outdated hardware by poking fun of the user and phone itself. They laughed yesterday. You laugh today. T-Mobile USA G1 owners will be the first users on the magenta carrier to test out their new “Voice Plus Beta” service. Essentially it’s a much more complex and useful call manager type of setup. Features such as call divert, call defer, visual voicemail, and city ID are a few of the bigger features that are gaining attention.
So what exactly do the aforementioned features do?
- Call Divert: Configure what numbers you want to skip the whole ring ring ring thing and go straight to voicemail.
- Call Defer:Alerts callers that you’re busy and unable to answer ATM and schedules a later time in which to call back
- City ID:This one’s kind of self explanatory. It basically just gives you more detailed information about who’s calling you.
Overall it’s a pretty nifty add-on to an already great carrier and service. Going from reader to actual user however will take a tad bit of plundering on your part. TMO isn’t just pushing this out to everyone. You’ll need to contact T-Mobile in the form of an email in order to get your name on the list of select users.
If you manage to get in, let us know how it is!
PhoneArena
[Image Source
For the longest time, voicemail was one of those that remained stagnant in the digital sphere. It was a simple service that was left behind as people of all flavors moved to more text based communications. Who had time for sifting through voicemails anymore? Then came visual voicemail. A revolution of epic proportions. Instead of being forced to listen to each message individually, now you could pick and choose what and when you checked your old time messages. And finally, voice-to-text/transcribed messages for voicemail brought the old voice based medium into the modern age with a means of delivering a voice message as text giving you even greater power with your mobile device. The service is become more widely available as popularity grows. One of the more prominent users of said technology is Google whom includes the feature freely in their Google Voice service. But not everyone has Google Voice. AT&T would like you to know that they too now have voice-to-text voicemails — for $9.99/month. Anyone thinking that’s a bit pricey for such a simple feature? Well, that’s because it is. Hmm, pay $10/month for something I can get for free or significantly cheaper from various other outlets or pony up? Ya, I’ll pass.
PhoneArena
