Google Sets the Date for the End of XMPP with Google Voice
ja_ys:
Quote from: gderf on November 04, 2013, 05:57:47 pm
Yes you are missing something.
You may not have missed this part, but incoming GV calls can still be received on the OBi in a completely transparent manner, both today and after May 15, 2014. All you need to do is get a free DID number, add it to your GV account as a forwarding number, and configure an SP in your OBi to use it. If you do this, then today when someone calls your GV number, your OBi will ring on the SP you used to configure GV on. Post May 15, 2014 when GV disables XMPP, calls to your GV voice number will ring on your OBi on the SP you used to configure the free DID. If you want to start using the free DID today, then unselect Google Chat as a forward in your GV account. I have already done this because the free DID I have requires some minimal amount of traffic on it or the number will be taken back and given to someone else. This covers the post May 15, 2014 situation for continued use of your OBi for inbound calls to your GV number.
As for making free outbound calls with your GV number and your OBi post May 15, 2014, this is a bit more complicated. Since the OBi will no longer work directly to initiate such a call, you can't just pick up an attached phone and dial like you can today. One way to make this happen is to use your web browser which is signed into your GV account and press the call button. Next you type in the number you wish to call, and select your free DID number for the "Phone to call with." Then press the Connect button. The phone attached to your OBi will ring. When you pick it up your call will be completed shortly thereafter. Yes this a kludge. But it works, will continue to work, remains free, and lets you keep making calls with your OBi and its attached phone.
It's up to you to decide if using the web page to dial your calls is acceptable or not. If it isn't you can start looking around for a VoIP service provider that satisfies your needs. I gave CallWithUs $5.00 to play with for now just to see how well it works. The calls are currently priced at just under one penny per minute, there are no taxes or fees associated with opening an account, and your money never expires if you don't make calls.
Good luck.
Of all the info I read here so far this seems the easiest for me to comprehend doing at least for now 8)!
gderf:
Further info regarding the web browser usage for continued free outbound calls.
I use the google Chrome browser. My GV account is one I created just for calls so it's not all cluttered up with unrelated things. In it I have created a Contact list that just has the names and phone numbers of those I call frequently. I also added the Google Voice plugin extension.
When I bring my contact list up, I see the names and associated telephone numbers. All I have to do is left click on a number and a Call box pops up. Then I select the phone to make the call with - I select my DID from the drop down list and hit the Connect button. My phone rings, I pick it up, and my call is completed.
Once the browser is open and on my GV page, dialing calls this way is just as fast as speed dialing from the handset. If I need to make a call to a number I don't have in my Contacts list, I can type it into the box that pops up when I click on the GV icon in the browser extension panel and type the numbers in, select my DID and then Connect.
If I don't have my GV page open to the Contact list I can click on the GV icon and type a single letter of the name I want to call. All Contacts that have that letter in it will be displayed, I just select the one I want. Or I can type in a second to filter the list more.
It all sounds more complicated than it really is and you can set it up and try it now - no need to wait until next May.
mo832:
The more time I've had to think about this and have it "sink in", the more I understand it.
But still, a simple way to think of my argument is this:
1. If you are willing to tinker a little bit, you can keep 100% free calling using the discussed methods and change some settings and practices to adjust to the changes, and you will not really notice much difference once it's done.
2. If you are not willing to tinker, or if you have to tinker **AND** pay a few bucks a month, *** AND *** have 2-3 separate accounts for incoming/outgoing, *** AND *** have to figure the best svc providers for local calls, outgoing calls, ld calls, and calculate whether it's better to pay 1/2c per min or 2c per min, or buy 5000 mins for $10, AT THAT POINT, , it becomes a no-brainer to just go with the NetTalk for a simple 2.50/month fee and be done with it. This would also give you a real company and real customer service if you need help.
This also is true if we reach a point that the free options are not offered anymore.
Of course, #2 above assumes you are intending your phone to be a landline replacement, or expect to use it a decent amount. If it's just for occasional use, it's still better to just pay for a few minutes at a time, (provided there's no monthly service charge too).
JCat:
Guys, please bear with me. I'm no idiot, but this stuff just ain't in my wheelhouse....
I'm the latest adopter in the world--I just got my OBi100 from Amazon (unopened) at the end of October to replace landline (I've been getting AT&T Voip via a promotional deal, but the deal is running out). I had researched enough to know the GV "free calls gravy train" would probably end soon, but I figured they would just start charging a small amt rather that bagging it completely. I had planned to set up a GV acct (I don't even have that yet) and get crackin'....Then I see the announcement re May 2014.....Uh, yeah.
I just want to be able to pick up my phone and make/receive calls. I don't mind tinkering a bit, but keep in mind that I didn't even know what DID, etc meant until I read this thread. Free is great, but I don't mind paying a small cost. My use tends to be schizophrenic: some months I'll make/receive lots of calls, other months, not so much.
So my Q--since I'm completely new to this, should I just return the OBi100 and go with another option? Or keep it , set it up with GV and then do something else in May '14?
I swear I'm not as clueless as I sound, but do reply as if you're talking to a 10 year old.....Thanks.
dircom:
my 2 cents ::)
I suggest use it as long as it works, then sometime between the Ides of March and April fools day see if anything has changed
by that time we will all know if there is a preferred solution or good work around
In the meantime, you can set up a free CallCentric DID, fwd your GV calls to that
setup your Obi to receive the Callcentric calls, and make outgoing on your GV
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