voicemail
Latest
Bing Indoor Maps and Visual Voicemail shown in latest WP7 Mango demo videos
Steve Ballmer may have confessed during today's WPC keynote that Windows Phone 7's market share is still "very small," but it's obvious the team is doing monumental things with Mango. As the mobile OS finds it own, things like indoor mapping and a pristine iteration of Visual Voicemail could be key to swaying folks who still believe that Microsoft's latest attempt in the smartphone universe still lacks the basics. The fine folks over at Pocketnow and WMPowerUser have been putting the latest build of Mango through those exact paces, and both instances are looking downright delicious. We won't bore you with textual details; head on past the break for a bit of visual proof.
Google Voice lets you change your digits, keep the old ones for $20
Remember when Google Voice assigned a number to your account with no option to port or integrate with Sprint? Oh how much simpler things were way back in Q1. When those new features first popped up, you were given a 90-day grace period to receive calls and texts to your old number after making a change. Now you can port, integrate, or just flat-out replace your number without sacrificing those old digits. After making the switch, head to the Settings tab in GV, then click "make permanent" within 90 days to keep the old number. You'll be billed for a one-time $20 "administration charge" (hey, computers need to get paid, too), but you'll forever be able to receive calls and texts sent to both, though outgoing calls and texts will only appear to be coming from the replacement -- so you'll still need to give your contacts a heads up after making the swap. We're always happy to see Google Voice add new features -- especially when they actually work -- so if you're ready to try your hand at phone number polygamy, get that credit card out and head over to GV. [Thanks, Liam]
Sprint / Google Voice integration now available for discounted accounts, still AWOL in sunny Puerto Rico
We've been keeping a close eye on Sprint's Google Voice integration since its troubled release last month, and Sprint has confirmed that many more of you are now able to activate the feature. Previously, individual customers with discounted accounts were being grouped with corporate and government enterprise customers, but it appears that the issue has been resolved (though corporate and government accounts are still unable to activate). However, Sprint confirmed that readers in Puerto Rico remain unable to activate regardless of their account status, and was unable to provide as estimate as to when integration will be available there. That said, Google has been incredibly proactive in getting these issues resolved from day one, despite clearly having their hands full this week. It looks like Google and Sprint have managed to work out some of the major kinks, but let us know in the comments if you're running into any other problems.
T-Mobile leak divulges return of unlimited WiFi calls, may add Name ID and Voicemail-to-Text
What's shaping up to be an epic week in tech news may be about to become even more exciting for T-Mobile fans. Internal employee docs are giving out some serious vibes that the company is ready to push out three important features to many of its phones as early as tomorrow. The first one to put a smile on your face is unlimited WiFi calling, which should be available as a free add-on to the Even More, Even More Plus, and 4G Do More plans. We're glad to see the service come back as a freebie, much better than the $9.99 per month asking price when it was hotspot@home. As if that isn't good enough by itself, the other services getting prepped for tomorrow's lineup include Name ID -- a caller ID service that shows the name, number, city, and state of anyone not listed in your contacts -- and Voicemail-to-Text, a new enhancement to the existing Visual Voicemail service that transcribes the full message into text form on select devices. Keep in mind that while these docs certainly do look official, it's all mere speculation until we hear actual word from T-Mobile about these new programs. With that said, we've got screenshots above and below, so feel free to glean as many details as possible from them.
Google and Sprint respond to Google Voice integration issues
You may recall from yesterday that early adopters were having a variety of issues after activating (or attempting to activate) Sprint's new Google Voice integration feature. Well, a full day has passed, and we've had several calls with GV lead Vincent Paquet as well as Brian Smith, Sprint's director of product development. Both executives have said that their respective companies have been hard at work on resolutions to each of the issues we outlined Thursday night, and some customers we spoke to yesterday are now back online. Jump past the break for a quick summary of what's been fixed, and what remains on the to-do list.
Sprint / Google Voice integration has major issues, major lack of support (update: Sprint and Google respond)
Have you tried Sprint's new Google Voice integration? We know a lot of our readers have -- and many of them have had problems, writing in to us to express their displeasure. We started investigating and found a hoard of complaints, and the deeper we looked, the more issues we found. To make matters worse, Sprint has instructed its representatives to refer all Google Voice-related questions to the Google Voice Forum, which for reasons that frustrate us as much as you, Google itself seems to have forgotten exists. Join us for a full investigation into the issues, including voicemail security holes, accounts accidentally crippled by Sprint, and calls overseas that'll leave you swimming in usage fees.
Panasonic, Yahoo, more admit defeat, sign deal with Klausner
It's easy to mock the little guy when he takes a handful of giant corporations to court. Such litigious overzealousness usually gets tangled up or tossed out altogether -- Klausner Technologies, however, is laughing all the way to the bank, with a stellar track record taking on some of tech's biggest names over the past few years. To date, the company has scored wins in visual voicemail patent battles with Apple, Google, Verizon, LG, and Vonage -- the company also struck a deal with Sprint, though presumably with less teeth-pulling. This week, Klausner added four more big wins to the list, inking deals with Panasonic, Yahoo, Qwest Communications, and Avaya in the wake of suits against the tech firms. The company still has ongoing battles with RIM and Cisco that will hopefully stay civil. We'd hate to see someone send a visual voicemail they'd regret later.
VoxOx Call for iPhone handles your virtual numbers, SMS, and faxes on the cheap
We're actually surprised that Telcentris' VoxOx virtual number service has never had a mobile app until now, but hey, better late than never, right? Hot out of the oven is the appropriately named VoxOx Call app for iPhone, which claims to match rival Google Voice's mobile offering but packs some extra goodies. For instance, this app syncs nicely with the VoxOx desktop client, so that you can handle your calls, text messages, voicemails, and faxes on both platforms with ease. And as before, there's no limit on how many virtual numbers you buy and add here, whereas with Google Voice you're stuck with one per account. Hit the demo video after the break to check out the full package.
Sprint, Google Voice tight integration is live (hands on)
The new integration that lets Sprint users tie their accounts even tighter with Google Voice -- make your Sprint number work through Google Voice without porting it over or just make your Google Voice number show on outgoing calls or tests from your phone -- appears to be live, judging by reports from tipsters and our own account shown above. While there's been a limited rollout and beta testing going on already, as soon as we logged in to Google Voice today we were teased by the ability to check our eligibility for Sprint integration. As shown in the screenshot above, going with option number one appears to be a one way trip that will result in the eventual deletion of your Google Voice number, so make sure that's what you want before clicking through. Option two can be reversed later so feel free to toggle (given a ~15 minute delay) at will. Still not sure how this all works? Check out our video demo from CTIA embedded after the break. %Gallery-122483% [Thanks, Jason, Victor]
Google Voice for Sprint hands-on (video)
Remember that Google Voice integration for Sprint we mentioned recently? Today at CTIA we got to see it in action, and it promises to take us one step closer to our robot overlords -- well, those of us who are Sprint customers, anyway. The most exciting feature is that the integration works with almost any Sprint number and device, and is not limited to just smartphones or the newly minted Nexus S 4G. Basically, you can pick your Sprint number or your Google Voice number to be your mobile number, and switch between them if necessary. Either way, this is the number that appears on other people's phones when you call them, and you still benefit from all the Google Voice perks. See it for yourself in our video after the break.
Sprint, Google Voice getting tight integration, will let you use your number without porting it
If the Nexus S 4G wasn't enough to get you excited, Sprint and Google have one more trick up their collective sleeves this morning: an unprecedented new level of integration with Google Voice. Basically, you'll be able to use your existing Sprint number in Google Voice, but through some custom-brewed sorcery and magicks, you won't have to port it to Google Voice -- your number, and your account, still belong to Sprint so that you won't get an ugly early termination fee. And if you like your current Google Voice number more than your Sprint one, that's cool, too -- you'll be able to set it up so that your GV number shows when you make calls or send texts on your Sprint phone. Either way, you'll use Google Voice for voicemail (as many folks already do) instead of Sprint's voicemail service. No word on when the feature will launch ("soon" is all they're saying), but live demos will be on display at CTIA this week -- on Nexus S 4Gs, we're willing to bet. Follow the break for video!
Cox Mobile Connect apps bring DVR scheduling, home voicemail access to Android and iOS
The Cox Mobile Connect apps for iOS and Android have been kicking around their respective app stores for a month or so relatively unnoticed, but now the cable company has chosen to make sure the world knows its users can tweak their DVR recording schedules with nothing more complicated than a standard smartphone. It expands a bit beyond the usual suite of features and brings some of the TV experience to mobiles by including notifications for severe weather or school closings, but from the interface pictures the two platforms are as similar as they are unsurprising. Check the press release after the break for all the details (like which areas are supported, it's not everywhere yet) or grab the link for your mobile OS of choice at the links below.
Win a year of basic service from YouMail, the voicemail replacement service
I reviewed YouMail last week, and now we've got 10 codes to give away allowing you access to the basic features of the voicemail replacement service. By replacement, I mean YouMail supercedes your current voicemail system (provided by your carrier), and extends the ability to check your voicemails on your iPad, iPod touch or the web. As I mentioned in my review, there are other features as well, like human-powered translation. These codes will unlock one year of the US$8.99/month "basic" service, which includes 50 transcriptions each month, storage of 5,000 messages (are you really getting that many in a year?), extended greeting times and YouMail's Privacy Guard service. To enter, let us know your funniest voicemail gretting (created by you or someone else). Good luck! Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter leave a comment telling us the funniest voicemail greeting you've ever heard. The comment must be left before MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2011, 11:59PM Eastern Time. You may enter only once. Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing. Prize: One year of Basic YouMail service (Value: US$108) Click Here for complete Official Rules.
YouMail provides an option to Google Voice for your voicemail needs
YouMail is a voicemail replacement for your iPhone, but it's also available for Android and BlackBerry phones. It aims to give you a more efficient, share-able voicemail system across platforms. I've been testing YouMail for a couple of days, and I think the first thing people will want to know is: How is this different than Google Voice? Like Google Voice, there's a web interface for checking your voicemails. Also like Google Voice, it can "take over" voicemail from your built-in provider (in my case, that's AT&T). But YouMail has a paid version and some additional paid services that distinguish it from the mostly-free Google Voice services. Are these enough to make it worth paying for? Read on to find out. YouMail offers a handy iPhone app for getting started. You don't have to go to a website to generate an account; it's all handled within the app. It really takes about five minutes to get the thing to start taking your voicemails. Of course, there is a website, and it does allow you to configure every square inch of the service. Setup on the iPhone was quite simple, and the app adds two contacts to your phone: one to activate the service and one to deactivate it (and return voicemails to your carrier). %Gallery-116648%
Verizon iPhone orders already shipping
Those of you who placed your pre-order for the Verizon iPhone 4 early this morning may be in for a nice surprise tomorrow, as TUAW reader Cameron from The 9magnets Blog wrote in to let us know that his VZW iPhone has apparently already shipped. A screenshot of his order (and the corresponding American Express bill) shows that the device was shipped via FedEx overnight for delivery by 3 PM -- meaning he should have it in his hands by tomorrow afternoon. Verizon's FAQ's states that "iPhone 4 orders will arrive on or before February 10, 2011," so I guess we'll see if that holds true. Many early AT&T iPhone 4 orders showed "shipped" status very quickly last year, but the phones were actually held for delivery until the official launch date. To Cameron and any other readers who placed their order already -- please be sure to let us know if your phone arrives sometime tomorrow. And while you are waiting patiently by the door, be sure to read up on some Verizon iPhone prep articles about saving your old voicemails and migrating your contacts so that you are ready as soon as the doorbell rings.
Verizon iPhone prep: Save your old voicemail, it's not coming with you
Thinking of picking up a new iPhone 4 for your Verizon account in the coming weeks? Macworld's review is already up, as are Engadget's, Techcrunch's and Wired's (spoiler: it's an iPhone 4!). But if you want to save any of those all-important legacy voicemails during the setup process, be sure to read this tip over at Verizon called Getting Ready for iPhone 4 - Saving Your Existing Voice Mail. Depending on whether or not your old phone supports Verizon's Visual Voice Mail service, there are two sets of directions to make sure you don't lose any of your messages when setting up your new voice mailbox. It's important to note that once your new iPhone 4 is activated, you will no longer have access to your existing voice mailbox, so it's vital that you follow the instructions provided if you want to keep any messages. For those with savvy devices, you can add the US$2.99 Visual Voice Mail service pack, which lets you download voicemails to your computer. If you have a phone that doesn't work with Visual Voice Mail, Verizon suggests contacting a third-party service provider to offload the voicemails ... at which point you might consider whether you really want to hold onto them. You can always play them back into your computer microphone for recording if you absolutely need them. Earlier today, Megan Lavey filled us in on the availability of Verizon's Transfer app for migrating your contacts to VZW iPhones. This free app will make sure your contact list doesn't get lost when setting up your new device. The Verizon iPhone 4 is available to qualified customers for pre-order as of February 3. I already heard from my brother that he's going to get up early to get his order in. How many of you will be doing the same?
Google Voice now open to the American public
Tired of waiting for the invite that'll never arrive? Not so eager to snap up an Android phone just to automatically get ushered into the party? Good news: Google Voice is now open to the US public at large (sorry, everyone else!), enabling everyone who wishes to get a single number to ring all of their phones, have voicemail that acts more like email and send / receive free calls and texts within the US. Currently, Google has over a million active Voice users, and we suspect that figure will skyrocket after today. If you've been ignoring this hoopla until the invite barrier was crushed, feel free to hop on past the break for a video demonstration of what's on offer. Then hit that source link to sign up. Happy calling... callers.
I've upgraded to iOS 4: Now what?
You've upgraded your iPhone to iOS 4, and you're anxious to play with all sorts of new and wonderful features. Before you do that, take a few minutes to make sure everything is working as expected. Here's a list of things to confirm. They aren't in any particular order, and not all of them will apply to everyone, but some of them will, especially if you have "restored" your iPhone. 1. Launch the phone app and go to the voicemail tab. Make sure that it isn't asking for your PIN. If you're really cautious, you might even call your iPhone and leave yourself a voicemail just to make sure it's working as expected. Six more easy and necessary steps after the break.
Google Voice is now your real-time pusher (on Android)
Once upon a time, Google undercut its own infant OS by offering rival platforms some of the best features of Android. Those days are long gone, and once again -- as much as we love Google Maps Navigation -- the poster child for only-on-Android functionality (in the US) is Google Voice. That's because as of this week, the Android version supports push notification of incoming messages in real time, as well as a neat interface for your reply (as evidenced by the above pic). Feel free to tease your iPhone and Pre-addicted friends, people; multitasking or no, they're not going to get a heads-up of incoming voicemail transcriptions with plain ol' HTML5.
Line2 adds a second line to your iPhone for $15 a month
Would you like to add a second line to your iPhone? Perhaps you'd like to add a business number to the phone, but your existing phone is currently tied to your personal mobile number. You could always carry a second phone, but that's an expensive proposition, particularly if you're an iPhone addict. VoIP provider Toktumi has a solution that may work out well for you. They're now selling an app called Line2 (US$0.99) that mimics many of the capabilities of the standard Phone app, complete with a form of visual voice mail. Purchasing the app provides you with one month of free VoIP service. After that point, each month's continued service costs $14.95 for unlimited calls within the US and Canada. The service is purchased in-app, and was a point of confusion for me -- the app listing in the iTunes store shows a "Top In App Purchase" at a cost of $19.99 for a month. Toktumi's website and the promotional video (above) do show the lower monthly rate. While many VoIP solutions require a Wi-Fi connection to work, Line2 works over both 3G and Wi-Fi. The app has many of the features you might want in a business phone, including call waiting and call transfer, the ability to create conference calls with up to 20 participants, and even integration with Toktumi's hosted PBX service. For small businesses that want to present a more professional image to callers, Line2 might be just the right solution. Toktumi notes that the app also works with both the iPod touch (Wi-Fi only) and iPad (Wi-Fi or 3G).
