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G Suite users can make Google Voice calls right inside Gmail
You won’t have to bother switching to another tab to make or receive calls.
Google Voice users can start calls and send messages with Siri
Following its latest iOS update, Google Voice now works with Siri. You can use Apple's assistant to start calls or send messages through the service. You can enable Siri control by going to the Google Voice options and marking a default account for calls outside the app. Then, you'll have to activate the Use with Siri option for the app in the iOS device settings.
Google's redesigned Voice app is better at juggling your calls
Google recently added Voice to its enterprise G Suite, and the revamped app has now arrived for iOS users. As suggested by the redesigned icon (which strongly resembles the Hangouts Dialer icon), its main job is to give users calling features via standard telephony over and above what you'd expect on regular apps. As such, it can do things like email you about missed calls, transcribe messages, enable "do not disturb" based on your working hours and access contacts stored elsewhere in G Suite.
Google Voice integration with Sprint is coming to an end
Google Voice, the service that gives US users a free phone number they can use for calls, texts and messages on devices other than a smartphone, recently got a big overhaul. Left intact was Sprint's unique arrangement with Google that allowed its customers to use their Sprint phone number for Google Voice. Google has informed Sprint customers that the arrangement is about to end, however, thanks to changes coming to Sprint's network.
Google Voice opens up testing for data-only VoIP calls
Google Voice has long been helpful for receiving phone calls regardless of the device you're using. That's assuming you want a conventional call, though -- it can be a pain if you're traveling and face roaming charges, or in those moments when you want to start a call away from your phone. Relief is at hand, however, as Google has started enlisting users to beta test for a data-only calling option. Sign up and you can soon use cellular data or WiFi for calls from Voice on Android or the web (iOS is coming), whether or not you're using a phone.
Google Voice command may take frustration out of text messages
Google Voice is great for a number of things, in particular differentiating between the contacts worthy of your regular number and those you aren't quite there with yet. But as has become apparent recently, it's not great at sending text messages, especially from Android Auto, Android Wear and Assistant. Fortunately, help could soon be on the way in the form of a new voice command.
Google Voice is having trouble delivering text messages
If you're a Google Voice user, there's a chance you're not receiving text messages this morning. As spotted by Android Police, a thread in the Google Voice support forums indicates that a number of users are having problems receiving messages. They're able to send out messages, but replies are another story altogether. It doesn't matter if you're using your phone or the Google Voice web interface -- replies are currently lost in the ether.
Google might kill Hangouts' text messaging feature (update: confirmed)
Google might soon begin implementing some big changes to Hangouts, now that the service's purpose has been redefined. According to an email reportedly sent to GSuite admins, you'll stop being able to send and receive text messages through the app on May 22nd, unless you're a Google Voice user. The email says the big G will prepare you for it by notifying everyone who's been using their apps to text on March 27th with details on what will happen going forward.
Google's Android texting app has a new name
Despite how common texting is, its integration on Android has always lagged slightly behind, as Google appeared to focus on other things. Sometimes it wrapped the feature into other services/apps like Google Voice and Hangouts, but lately, the main Android texting app has been getting some tweaks too. The latest one brings a new name, as it goes from Google Messenger (probably frequently confused with the bot-laden Facebook Messenger) to Android Messages.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 26: The Sounds of Science
Managing editor Dana Wollman and senior editor Nathan Ingraham join host Terrence O'Brien on the latest episode. First Dana and Nathan face off in the latest installment of Flame Wars, tackling the latest news around Google Voice, struggling streaming service Tidal and the Note 7. Then all three will try to unravel the first week of Donald Trump's presidency and what it means for science in particular.
Google Voice gets a long-overdue visual refresh
Google Voice is undoubtably useful, but it has also been neglected for a long time. Fortunately, the rumors were true: Google just released a pretty major visual overhaul of Voice, and there are a handful of new features on board as well. Most obvious is that service now fits in with Google's Material Design language, something that rolled out to just about all of Google's apps a long, long time ago.
Google Voice updates are imminent
The useful (and slightly neglected) Google Voice app hasn't seen many changes since the company cleaned up its voice transcriptions and integrated with Hangouts in 2015. Before that, the last major change to the core service was the addition of MMS messages in 2014. However, according to some credible rumors flying around today, a new version or redesign is right around the corner.
ICYMI: Driving fails, global warming bacteria fix and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: AAA and the University of Utah teamed up to collect data on how well driver's fare while using voice commands. The results are pretty terrible: Apparently it takes a full 27 seconds for a driver to fully concentrate after attempting to call someone while behind the wheel. Meanwhile Florida may be good for something beyond just the best Twitter account this side of the Atlantic. Researchers there found a strain of deep-sea bacteria that might be able to help fight global warming by attacking greenhouse gases. And a Spaniard got the first implanted 3D printed ribs in the world after a cancer fight. Good on him!
Google Voice transcriptions will soon actually make sense
One of the most prevalent qualms users have of Google Voice is its occasionally accurate (but usually absurd) interpretations of what's being said. However, with the upcoming public debut of the Project Fi cellular service, Google has reportedly greatly improved its transcription service. According to a post on the company's blog, Google's managed to reduce its transcription error rates by nearly 50 percent by leveraging a "long short-term memory deep recurrent neural network." Users don't even have to change their routine to take advantage of the new system, just keep using Voice and Fi as they always have. [Image Credit: shutterstock]
Google's cellular service makes you ditch key Voice features
Are you a long-time Google Voice user? You might not want to sign up for Google's Project Fi service, then. Early adopters who've received an invitation report that you're required to give up important Voice features, including calls, texting and voicemail from within Google Talk, Google Voice and Obihai devices. You'll still get those options in Hangouts (if you turned on support) as well as call forwarding and voicemail transcripts, but you'll otherwise end up with a pale shadow of the phone services you knew before. That could be a worthwhile tradeoff if you like Project Fi's multi-network coverage and simple pricing -- just be sure that you're aware of the consequences.
Hangouts for iOS now shows your Google Voice messages
If you rely on your iPhone for Google Voice, Hangouts just became much, much more useful. As on Android, the messaging app's iOS version now shows your Google Voice texts and voicemail -- you won't have to switch apps just because you're embroiled in an online conversation. There are a few tangible upgrades even if you live well outside of Google Voice's service area, for that matter. You now get smart suggestions for sharing your location when it's relevant, and you can set status messages if you're eager to let everyone know what you're doing. All told, it's easily worth swinging by the App Store for an update.
Google Voice finally lets you send MMS messages through Verizon
One of the biggest hangups of Google Voice has been the absence of MMS when talking to Verizon subscribers; you couldn't really lean on Voice for all your messaging, even if many other carriers were onboard. Well, consider that problem solved. Voice now officially supports MMS when Verizon customers are involved, so there shouldn't be rude surprises when either end wants to share more than just text. Google is simultaneously adding native MMS photo support for everyone who uses Voice in Hangouts, so recipients can see pictures in-line rather than click on a link. Reports from users suggest that upgrades may not have reached everyone yet, so don't fret if people are still receiving links. Provided everything falls into place, though, you'll have one more reason to stick with Google's internet-savvy service.
Google's short film examines the science of voice recognition
People used to think it's harder to make computers play chess (or Jeopardy) and do mathematics than it is to make them understand human language. Turns out the opposite is true -- yes, engineers have made great advancements in voice recognition (Siri and Google voice commands are perfect examples), but they've yet to create a system that can speak with us like another human can. Google's documentary (after the break) talks about the beginnings of voice recognition, the current state of language understanding, as well as the future of artificial neural network technology, which can be used to improve both. The main goal of scientists and engineers is to make computers reach human levels of language understanding, but whether that'll ever happen remains to be seen.
Google Voice can now receive MMS from almost 100 North American carriers
If you use Google Voice for your text messages, you're well adjusted to its biggest flaw: the service just doesn't play nice with most carriers' MMS settings. Today, that's changing -- Google says that the service now supports MMS from nearly 100 carriers in North America, including AT&T, Bell Canada, Rogers, Telus and more (but not Verizon). Unfortunately, Mountain View wasn't able to provide us with a full list of supported providers, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Now if only we could get the ability to send MMS messages, too.
Hangouts can now take your Google Voice messages (update: calling features)
Google Voice has only had a limited tie-in with Hangouts so far, but it now looks like the two are coming together in earnest. Android Police notes that you can now set up Hangouts to receive Google Voice text messages and voicemail, whether you're on mobile or the desktop. Switch on the feature and you won't have to jump between apps to deal with conversations based on where they came from. You may not want to migrate just yet, though -- replies aren't working perfectly at the moment, and it otherwise appears that Google flicked the switch a little early. There should be a Hangouts update soon, though, so those glitches might not stick around for much longer. Update: Google has announced an upgrade to Hangouts that lets you make free internet-based calls (not explicitly linked with Voice) to real-world numbers. Much like what you've seen in Gmail, reaching out to the US and Canada is free; it'll only cost you when you call abroad. The feature should be available on Android, iOS and the web beginning today; Droid-Life has an Android download link if you're not seeing the update just yet.
