The Cazman, 09/29/2018
Google Ruined It!! Now It's Back!!
The latest version has some nice improvements but added some other issues. I like the ability to send photos and use emojis. I don’t like that it no longer recalls and suggests the numbers that you have sent texts to. Because I don’t link my iPhone contacts to it, If I delete a text string I now have to look up the number to start a new one. It should suggest numbers that have been used even if the archives are deleted and allow us to delete a suggestion we no longer need. The opposite is true for phone calls. It not only archives the phone numbers of calls you make but there is no way I have found to remove them from the archive. If these two issues were resolved I would rate it 5 stars.
I"m updating my previous negative review to a positive 5 stars. Defects have been corrected and it is easier and more reliable to use. I especially like the ability to easily and permanently delete conversation and call history. Thank you Google !!
Totally non functional for texts. Used the prior version all the time now there is no way to send a txt because the ">" that used to be there to send is missing. Also, after you enter the destination number you cannot get back to the message without starting over. This is a total train wreck. (Using iPhone 6s with latest iOS update).
Skcaj007, 11/29/2017
Used to love, but no more
I loved this app up until the updates made about two months ago. I use this app exclusively for business and now it’s becoming a hassle to use. The app is constantly crashing, especially when trying to write text messages. I just tried to write the same message three times in the app and it crashed every time, so I finally gave up. I often have to write the text in another app and then copy and paste it into Google Voice for sending purposes, which I will have to do with this latest message as well. I’ve also had messages and voicemails that did not end up coming through, which cannot happen in my line of business. I like the fact that pictures can on be sent through the text message part of it, and that the functionality has improved, but not at the expense of basic functions. The app is also loading much slower, takes a lot longer for messages to show up as well as taking longer for keyboards and functions to show up. All of which wastes a lot of time. As I said, I loved this app up until a couple of months ago and would’ve given it a five star rating then. The only reason it has a three star rating now is because of that. Otherwise, it really deserves a one or a two star rating as it is now. I would gladly pay for the app if it still worked appropriately. Very annoying.
LostInSicilia, 05/04/2018
Crashes regularly, many bugs
I have been using this app for 1.5 years because I love the concept of a free way to text message and receive calls, but the app itself is the worst app on my phone. It crashes several times a week. When replying from the lock screen, it often does not actually send the message but doesn’t let you know it failed. I cannot send or receive video messages. A new message notification may pop up, but then when opening the app it may be super delayed in appearing. I regularly click on one text message and it opens a different one. 90% of the time if someone calls me, we can’t hear each other and I have to hang up and call them through a different app. I have to forward my calls instead, which works well. I have to use Google Hangouts to make free calls, because using the app either doesn’t work or uses my cell line that costs money. There are a couple of pictures I tried to send once and failed, but the app still shows them as pending months later and there is no way to delete them without deleting the whole conversation...so I have to scroll through them every time to see the latest message. Google obviously does not care to invest hardly any money or time in improving Google Voice. If I knew of a reputable and more reliable free phone and text service, I would use it instead.
Google Voice provides a phone number for calling, texting, and voicemail. It works on smartphones and computers, and syncs your devices so you can use the app in the office, at home, or on the go.
NOTE. Google Voice only works with personal Google accounts in US and G Suite accounts in select markets. Text messaging is not supported in all markets.
You are in control
Automatically filter spam and block numbers you don't want to hear. Manage your time with personalized settings for call forwarding, text messages and voicemail.
Backup and Search
Calls, text messages and voicemails are saved and saved to make your history easier to search.
Managing messages across devices
Send and receive individual and group SMS messages from all your devices.
Your voicemail, transcribed
Google Voice provides advanced voice messages voicemails that you can read in the app and/or sent to your address email.
Save on international call
Make international calls at competitive rates without paying extra international minutes with your mobile operator.
Keep in mind:
Google Voice is currently only available in the US. Google Voice for G Suite users is in beta and available in select countries. Contact your administrator for access.
Calls made using Google Voice for Android can be placed through a Google Voice access number. All access number based calls use standard minutes from your plan cell phone and may incur expenses (for example, when traveling internationally).
Change Log / What's New
This release:
Make and receive calls over Wi-Fi and mobile data when available
Previous release:
Stability and performance improvements
Anyone who has already tried an application that implements voice search on a smartphone has probably wondered whether it exists? Yes, there is such a program, and, according to many users, it makes using a desktop computer more comfortable. Those who cannot type quickly and clearly on the keyboard especially felt the usefulness of this product.
Some have difficulty typing Russian letters, others cope worse with the Latin alphabet, but voice search It evens everything out, and besides, you don’t have to constantly switch the layout when you were writing a letter in Russian and suddenly needed to clarify something on a specific site. After all, most Internet resources still have names in Latin, without having “ mirrors"in the Cyrillic domain.
Using Google Voice Search for PC, you can quickly search in the browser Google Chrome the necessary portals. In order to activate the search, you need to use that same little microphone - a button located right in the Google search bar.
If you have a desktop computer, then it must have a microphone connected for such a search, otherwise you “ will hear"? The request must be stated clearly. Of course, there is always a limitation in using such a program, and it does not apply to either the computer or the software - these are:
- a sleeping person in your room;
- an employee diligently thinking about something important in the same office space as you.
So these kinds of obstacles can exist both at home and at work. So you might consider having a remote microphone so you can bring it closer to you. As for netbooks and laptops, they already have their own microphone. In addition, with such a device it is easy to go to work in the room where at the moment no one sleeps, and enjoy the easy voice search.
Russian or English?
Google Voice Search knows how to parse both Russian and English words. At the same time, at first it will seem surprising why a program developed “over the hill” understands our native language so well. As for English, there may be difficulties at first. But not because the program works poorly in this language, but because we ourselves are not native speakers.
Google Voice is a free Internet service from Google that uses voice over IP with the ability to connect all user phone numbers together. You can either set up a Google Voice number or set up a Google Voice account to work with an existing phone number. Actually, we will tell you about all this now.
Steps
Part 1
Getting started with Google Voice- You need a telephone with a push-button dialer - be it mobile, work or home.
- You must have one of the following operating systems: XP, Vista, Mac or Linux.
- You must have one of the following browsers: IE 6 (or higher), Firefox 3 (or higher), Safari 3 (or higher), Google Chrome.
- You must have Flash 8 or higher.
- You must live in the US as Google Voice only works there.
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Select your account type. Google Voice offers you five options: Google Number, Sprint with your Sprint Number, Sprint with a Google Number, Number Porting and Google Voice Lite. Read each one carefully and choose the one that suits you best.
- Google Number: You will have access to the full range of Google Voice services, i.e. to a new phone number from Google, to voicemail, call forwarding, text messages, international calls, voice message transcription, custom voice greetings, call blocking and conference calls.
- Sprint with your Sprint number: everything is the same, except voicemail and new phone number from Google, which you will use your existing Sprint mobile number instead.
- Sprint with a Google Number: All services from Google Voice plus, when calling or sending messages through a Sprint headset, your Google Voice number will be displayed.
- Number Porting: All services from Google Voice, except the new phone number from Google. You will use your existing phone number instead.
- Google Voice Lite: You'll use your existing mobile number and only have access to Google voicemail, international calling, voice message transcription, and custom voice greetings.
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Agree to the terms of use of Google Voice. As usual, you must “read and accept” before starting work. So read and accept, without this you still won’t get access to the Google Voice functionality.
- Please note: as soon as you check the “agree” box, the “Proceed” button will become active. Clicking on it will officially begin the installation of the Google Voice mailbox.
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Follow further instructions. While the installation is underway, you will need to carefully monitor the messages that appear on the screen and follow the instructions. At this point, you will be able to choose which Google Voice services you need, etc. Strictly speaking, following the instructions is the easiest way to install Google Voice.
- If you accidentally close the installation page, no problem - you can always come back and continue the installation later.
Part 2
Setting up a new Google Voice number-
Select “I want a new number”. Actually, the first thing you will see after you agree and accept the rules for working with the service is the question of whether you want to use an existing number or register a new one. If you like the second option, feel free to choose it.
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Look for a new Google number. A search form will appear where you can search for the new number by state code or zip code. Having selected the number, click on the “Continue” button.
- You can choose a local number - either directly for yourself or local for your friends, family, business, etc., so that calls to this number are considered local for them.
- Alternatively, you can search by word or phrase that you want to include in your issue.
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Select a PIN code. You'll need to provide the service with your secret PIN to be able to access Google Voice and receive messages from any phone or location.
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Enter the forwarding number. You will also need to indicate the phone number to which you will be forwarded phone calls, coming to Google Voice. In other words, when someone calls your Google Voice number, the call will come from the phone with the number you entered now.
- Don't forget to select your phone type from the drop-down menu.
- The Google Voice number can be configured to work with 1-6 compatible phones.
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Verify your phone. At this point you will see digital code and the “Call Me Now” button. Feel free to click on it to complete the Google Voice installation.
- As soon as you click on this button, the phone whose number you entered will ring. Use the keys to enter the numeric code from the screen - Google Voice will then complete the setup process, considering the number entered correctly.
Part 3
Using your existing mobile number-
Select “I want to use my mobile number”. Actually, the first thing you will see after you agree and accept the rules for working with the service is the question of whether you want to use an existing number or register a new one. If you like the first option, feel free to choose it.
- If you accidentally close the setup page, you can always return to registering a new number by clicking on the “Get a Voice number” button in the Google Voice mailbox.
- Open the Settings menu by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right corner of your mailbox.
- Next, go to the Phones > Change/Port tab.
Log in or register with Google. To use Google Voice, you need a Google Account. If you have it, fine, go into it. If not... that's okay too, just register.
Confirm that you meet the requirements. Google Voice has certain requirements for your computer and phone. Check them out and update your system if necessary.
Once you try the voice search application, the question immediately arises: is it possible to download Google voice search for your computer? After all, it is so convenient, especially when in connection with work you often need to Google. Fortunately, the Google voice search assistant also exists for PC. Availability voice assistant is very convenient because it allows you to use the computer to great advantage, and sometimes, when access to the keyboard is limited, Google Voice is completely indispensable.
Benefits of the application
Some users have difficulty typing Cyrillic letters, while others, on the contrary, cannot quickly find the necessary letters in the Latin alphabet. Google app voice search equalizes the chances of both types of users, while if the text is mixed (contains both Russian and english letters), then there is no need to waste time switching languages.
Google Voice Search perfectly parses both Russian and English words. Domestic and foreign developers have tried very hard to make the foreign application available on high level perceived Russian speech. At the same time, it may seem surprising that when dictating words to the program English, she perceives speech somewhat worse. The reason for this phenomenon is not that the program works poorly in this language, but because we ourselves are not native speakers. Russian speakers often forget about the rules of phonetics, open words and exception words.
Conditions for full operation of the program
Yes, indeed, to work with Google voice search, input devices such as a keyboard and mouse are not required (the latter is at least needed in typing letters solely as a pointer virtual keyboard). However, they now need a microphone instead. To activate Google search you will need to turn on your microphone. In laptops it is built-in (available in almost all models); for desktop computers you need to purchase it separately.
The system perceives words using two algorithms – whole and syllable by syllable. If a word is not spoken clearly, the service may interpret it incorrectly. For example, the phrase “tell today's news” too quickly can be interpreted by the system as “tell today's bones” and the search will begin for completely different queries. It is for these reasons that words and sentences must be pronounced clearly.
