Google Voice: Choosing the right option
- Thread starter Eli
- Start date
basic plan?? Do you mean the option where u can create a google voice number or just use it with ur current number??? If so choose the option to make a google voice number because u get the best of both worlds because u can also add google voice to your current number and have a google number at the same time 
Donkey Hodie
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I went with the option of keeping my existing phone number for several reasons: I don't text a whole lot, I had just changed my number several times and was tired of changing my phone number everywhere (note that this wouldn't have been an issue if I had previously had a GV number, but I didn't), and I figured they'd eventually have the option of changing to a GV number later (which they now do). You can start off keeping your existing number and, if you like GV, change to a GV number.
- Thread Starter
- #4
The invite I got said you currently cannot change:
I have the unlimited txt plan, so I don't need that.
If I choose the google phone number I can still use my regular number, I just have the option of using the google phone number, correct?
If I choose the "upgraded" plan with the GV#, can I still use all of the other GV features with MY phone number?
I have the unlimited txt plan, so I don't need that.
If I choose the google phone number I can still use my regular number, I just have the option of using the google phone number, correct?
If I choose the "upgraded" plan with the GV#, can I still use all of the other GV features with MY phone number?
Yea you can't change at the moment. And if you go with GV number u can still use your regular number. It's the best of both worlds. Upgrading to GV will be possible in the future but u might as well just start with the GV number
- Thread Starter
- #6
- Thread Starter
- #9
Thanks. Can anyone else confirm this? Want to be sure before I pull the trigger.
ScooberJake
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False. At least, as I understand the question, you cannot use Google Voice with both the Google Voice number and your current number. If you use the Google Voice number, then calls to your current Verizon number will go to your Verizon voicemail, NOT Google Voice. You can use Google Voice with your current phone, but only by giving people your new Google Voice number.
I'm actually confused by the initial question, but I'll try to answer from my experience.
I've had GV from back when it was GrandCentral. When I got my Droid, I got it through Best Buy, brand new account. I wasn't offered an option to just have my GV number, so I have my VZW phone number and then I have my GV phone number.
I have the GV app installed on my phone. Through this, I'm able to send and receive text messages for free to/from non-VZW folks. For folks on VZW, I have their messaging service.
For every phone call, I'm given the option to either use or not use GV. I can change the option so that it always does one or the other without prompting. By using GV for outgoing calls, my understanding is you use minutes that get used for going outside the VZW network. Likewise for incoming calls to that number. So again, for calls to/from known VZW customers, I use my VZW number. For non-VZW numbers, it varies, depending on who I want to know my "real" cell phone number.
You can also set it up so that calls going to your VZW number get sent to GV voicemail, which is what I have so that I can have visual voicemail. While I can't verify, I'm certain using the GV app to retrieve those voicemails are free, where as if you were to call to get them it takes from the minutes used for non-VZW calls.
I think doing this has helped me optimize things and take advantage of both utilities. YMMV.
Brian
- Thread Starter
- #12
Maybe I phrased my question wrong?
If I get the GV#, can I still use these features:
If you have F&F and and the google number to your calling circle you can make unlimited outgoing calls, correct? Does this require that I have the second calling option where I get the GV#?
If I get the GV#, can I still use these features:
- Google voicemail: voicemail like email
- Voicemail transcription: read what your voicemail says
- Custom greetings: vary voicemail greetings by caller
- International calling: low cost calls to the world
- Notifications: read voicemail messages via email or SMS
- Share voicemails: forward, embed, or download voicemails
If you have F&F and and the google number to your calling circle you can make unlimited outgoing calls, correct? Does this require that I have the second calling option where I get the GV#?
Like Eli, I'm a little confused about the options - I don't want to short-change myself, but here's my situation: I only have one line, my cell phone. It's my published business number, so it has to be accessible for outgoing and incoming calls. I have an unlimited data plan, so I'm not worried about texting and such. Really I'd like to use this for VVM since I don't want to pay Verizon the extra money.
So I'm thinking the first plan would work best for me, but if I can get the GV number and not affect any of the things I listed above then I'd like to try that. Can anybody clarify this for me? Thanks.
So I'm thinking the first plan would work best for me, but if I can get the GV number and not affect any of the things I listed above then I'd like to try that. Can anybody clarify this for me? Thanks.
From my limited experience (only used it for 3 days).
The GV Number is just a forwarding number. It doesn't turn off your Verizon Number. You still get calls on your Verizon number if they called that specific number.
Any calls to your GV number will be forwarded to your Verizon Number (assuming you set it up that way).
So there is little to no reason not to have a GV number.
Since it just allow you to have more options and does not take any away.
But the Google Voice Voice Mail takes forever to pick up. It is set at 25 seconds right now and that delay cannot be changed. A lot of people would not wait that long. So I don't suggest you use it for business purposes.
The GV Number is just a forwarding number. It doesn't turn off your Verizon Number. You still get calls on your Verizon number if they called that specific number.
Any calls to your GV number will be forwarded to your Verizon Number (assuming you set it up that way).
So there is little to no reason not to have a GV number.
Since it just allow you to have more options and does not take any away.
But the Google Voice Voice Mail takes forever to pick up. It is set at 25 seconds right now and that delay cannot be changed. A lot of people would not wait that long. So I don't suggest you use it for business purposes.
Hmm, that's good to know. I wonder why it's set so long? Half a minute is brutal if you're waiting for someone to pick up the phone. I'll surely keep that in mind, thanks.