Google Voice Now Supports MMS On All Major Carriers.

GoogleVoice MMS
If lack of support for Verizon on Google Voice MMS, kept you away from Google Voice, consider it is past. A Googler announced today that it is complete and it is covering all major networks.
At the same time, Google is adding MMS photo support for users of Voice in Google hangouts. So now people will be able to see pictures inline rather than a link to the photo as it used to be. One more reason to hangout at Google longer.

Don't Talk Drunk, Let GoogleVoice Voicealyzer Take Over The Talking, Texting!

Just like when you try to drive while you are drunk, talking while you are drunk can lead to serious accidents. Sometimes seemingly nice people blurt out the worst things when they are drunk.
You are in luck if you are a Google Voice user, Google Voice just announced Voice-lizer, for Google Voice. This will save you from making embarrassing phone calls or text messages.
To quote the Google Voice;

The next time you know an eventful night is in store, head to the Calls tab in Google Voice Settings. Check the “Enable Voice-alyzer” box, and set the hour that you want the feature to go into effect.

With Voice-alyzer enabled, our IVR will prompt you to spell everyday words with your keypad, like “embarrassed”, ”dizzy” or ”Czechoslovakia”, before we connect your call.

My only problem is I will not be able to make calls even if I am sober, If you have been reading this blog, you know how good I am at spelling. Also when was the last time,  ”Czechoslovakia” was spoken / spelled by you? Enjoy your night(s) out 'cos April comes only once a year.
Google Voice Blog: Introducing the Voice-alyzer

A Sprint In Your Google Voice, Or Vise Versa.

A Sprint In Your Google Voice, Or Vise Versa. http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

Yesterday we wrote about Google Nexus S 4G on Sprint with integrated Google Voice. I was so excited about the Nexus S 4G, I almost did not pay attention to the Google Voice part of it. By reading a Post on Googleblog (Cross-posted from the Google Voice Blog) explains to process in bit more depth.
Google Voice has come a long way since the Grand Central days, where I got my feet wet with what is now Google Voice.
Google Voice already comes in as mobile versions and you can use it with your existing numbers or as of lately, you can even port your mobile number to the Google Voice. By doing so means one can make the mobile number you’ve always used your Google Voice number, so it can ring any phone or computer you want.

So obviously the next step is to work with Carriers to integrate Google Voice with mobile phones. If you remember the AT&T / iPhone / Google Voice fiasco, you will understand how short sighted some carriers are. They even went as far as complaining to FCC about how bad Google Voice for not connecting to spam numbers! But then again, there are others who see the light early on, like Sprint.

Sprint customers will be the first in line to be able to do so. So now Sprint customers who uses Google Voice, will be able to use their mobile number as their Google Voice number.
This means a lot to Sprint customers as they can have all the benefits of Google Voice without having to port or change their numbers.
Additionally if so desired, Google Voice users can replace Sprint number with Google Voice number when making calls or sending TEXT messages from their Sprint phone.

In both the above cases, Google Voice will assume the tasks of Sprint Voicemail allowing Sprint customers to receive transcribed voicemail as email or TEXT messages. Another benefit is the International calls at low rates. International calls made from Google Voice users’ Sprint phones will be connected by Google Voice at Google's very low rates.
Also all other feature of Google Voice, like call recording, blocking unwanted calls, and personalized voicemail greetings based on the callers number, will be available to users.
These benefits will be avilable to Sprint users in the USA and will gradually be availble to all Google Voice users. Check your Google Voice account.
To learn more please visit google.com/voice/sprint.

Official Google Blog: Sprint integrates Google Voice

Sprint Offeres Google Nexus S 4G With Google Voice Integrated.

Google Nexus S 4G (4G used in connection with the Samsung Nexus S product name refers to the fact that the Nexus S is capable of operating on the Sprint 4G (WiMAX) Network.) http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

Sprint extends its 4G device innovation lead once again with the upcoming availability of the 20^th 4G device and fourth 4G phone, Nexus S™ 4G¹ from Google™.  Coming to Sprint this spring, it will also be able to take advantage of the unprecedented controls and services enabled by Google Voice™ integration built into the Sprint Network.

Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), Nexus S 4G comes packed with a pure Google experience using Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, the fastest version of Android available for smartphones.

Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be among the first to receive Android software upgrades and new Google mobile apps. In many cases, the device will get the updates and new apps as soon as they are available.

It is powered by a 1GHz Samsung application processor that produces rich 3D-like graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content along with a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to make playing mobile games, browsing the Web and watching videos a fast, fluid and smooth experience.

It is designed with Samsung’s brilliant Super AMOLED™ touchscreen technology providing a premium viewing experience.  The 4-inch Contour Display features a curved design for a more comfortable look and feel in the user’s hand or along the side of the face. It also offers a screen that is bright with higher color contrast, meaning colors are incredibly vibrant and text is crisp at any size and produces less glare than on other smartphone displays when outdoors, so videos, pictures and games look their best and the sun won't wash them out.

Nexus S 4G features a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder and front-facing VGA camera.  In addition, Nexus S 4G features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user tilts the device up or down or pans the phone to the left or right.

Additional key features include:

• 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
• Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
• Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™, Voice Actions and YouTube™
• Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^®), personal (POP & IMAP) email and instant messaging
• Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, like stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips
• 16GB Internal Memory (ROM)/512MB (RAM)
• Wi-Fi^® – 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth^® 2.1 + EDR
• Integrated GPS
• 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery

Nexus S 4G from Google will be available exclusively from Sprint this spring for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade (taxes not included) in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), as well as select national retailers.

Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, Anytime^SM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).
Via Sprint

Google Voice Extension For Google Chrome

Google Voice Extension For Google Chrome http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Google Voice Extension available from Google Chrome Extensions site
There is a new extension for Google chrome, enabling the use of Google Voice within the browser. The extension adds Google Voice icon to the browser toolbar. It will also display number of unread messages if there are any.
The convenience is you can make calls without having to visit Google Voice page. All your information is available with the click of this button on the toolbar

Extension Features:
- Adds a button to the toolbar, which displays the number of unread messages in your Google Voice inbox.
- Audible alert on new messages (can turn off in extension options).
- Gives you quick access to your most recent messages with transcripts and voicemail playback.
- Lets you initiate calls and send free text messages by just typing any number or contact name.
- Makes phone numbers on websites callable via Google Voice by just clicking on them.
- If a phone number doesn't turn into a link on any website (ex: Google Calendar), you can select the text with your mouse and the click to call popup will automatically display (note: might not work with all numbers).

Known issues:
- Incompatible with the Skype extension. If the Skype extension is installed then the Voice extension will not turn numbers into call links.
- Sometimes your forwarding phone list will be empty. If this happens make sure you are logged in to http://www.google.com/voice and then wait ~30 minutes. The problem should fix itselft automatically within 30 minutes and work from then on.

Warning explained:
When installing the extension it says "This extension will have access to all browsing history and private data on all websites" This is the default warning for any extension that needs content script access to all websites. This access is needed for detecting phone

Happy 2nd Birthday Google Voice!

Google Voice turns 2 http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

Even though our relationship with Google Voice is even longer (Grand Junction), it is hard to believe it is only two years since Google Voice took the helm.

Google Voice have made our lives much easier with all those new innovations! Like what we reported this morning, GMail calling, and one number for all calls.

Thank you Google Voice, Enjoy your cake!

Google Voice Blog: Google Voice turns 2!

Google Voice Give Star Treatment To Bees In L.A.

Google Voice And Bees http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
We always think of Google Voice to be in the high tech arena and would hardly associate it with bees. Google Voice Blog tells us otherwise.
Backwards Beekeepers, an organization dedicated to helping and saving native honey bees by teaching people how to use chemical free beekeeping. (I knew about bee keeping but until I visited them, did not know about all the aspects of it :). Their aim is to increase the bee population in L.A but they are advising people all over the world in the matter of bee keeping.
Bees some time invade peoples garages, hot tubs, trees, chimneys and sometimes even minivan bumpers! So who do they call, Of course Backwards Beekeepers.

So they installed their Google Voice number and setup to email 500 odd bee keepers to receive an email when someone leaves a message about unwelcome bees. So one of these people will take on the job of helping both, the hosts and the bees by rescuing the bees!.
So Google Voice interviewed them for Google Voice user stories, asked the Backwards Beekeepers;

How is Google Voice helping you achieve your mission?
Google Voice is helping us save the bees and cultivate new beekeepers. We are now a go-to hotline for city postal workers, animal control officers and parks employees. We've rescued more than 300 swarms since we set up our Google Voice number a year ago.

What a nice story.
If you or someone you know is using Google Voice in an innovative way, please let Google Voice know. If chosen, your story too will appear on the Google Voice Blog!



Google Voice Blog: Google Voice: Helping save bees in L.A.