Google Voice is now Officially Supported on OBi VoIP devices
sogood:
I just add back GV into my second line. That trigger a firmware update (there wasn't any prompt for accepting the update or not) After the firmware update and a few minutes, I can add the GV account. The process is different as it is actually done through Google 's and authorize the connection of the device with your GV account. So there is not password store inside Obihai. I haven't really tried the line yet as I was done everything remotely through obinet
C6silver:
Quote from: RFC3261 on September 11, 2014, 01:13:49 pm
From all the information that is publically available, Obihai (and other solution providers) were telling the truth, in that Google had informed them (and the dog, and the world) of the intent to end the ability for them to be able to route calls via GV. Things (and schedules) changed. But until those changes were finalized, it still could have gone differently. Note that for some, a VoIP provider will be a better choice than GV, even if it may not be for you. I use both (GV and a VoIP provider), and each has demonstrated advantages in certain cases. Options are good. I am glad to see I will have the option to continue to use GV.
I wasn't inferring that they weren't. In fact I saw the release from Google themselves so certainly there was no reason for anyone to not believe they were pulling the plug. However, there was never any indication I saw from Google that this was not anything but a 100% firm decision. They were very clear and even provided a specific date. I am certainly glad they reversed course and wonder what the reason for the change of heart was. I just wish they came to that decision before I spent a bunch of time and money to find and setup a new provider.
C6silver:
Quote from: ceg3 on September 11, 2014, 04:56:38 pm
I suspect a lot of the services will start shedding subscribers next year.
100% agree. They should also be thanking Google profusely for the opportunity to score so many deals for the year they got.
ramjet73:
Quote from: C6silver on September 11, 2014, 04:58:51 pm
I wasn't inferring that they weren't. In fact I saw the release from Google themselves so certainly there was no reason for anyone to not believe they were pulling the plug. However, there was never any indication I saw from Google that this was not anything but a 100% firm decision. They were very clear and even provided a specific date. I am certainly glad they reversed course and wonder what the reason for the change of heart was. I just wish they came to that decision before I spent a bunch of time and money to find and setup a new provider.
There is a lesson to be learned here and that is things change quickly in the telecommunications industry, especially with all the corporate buyouts, mergers and restructuring. It's best not to have all your eggs in one basket and to work out different scenarios in advance depending on what actually happens.
I've had Google Voice as my primary provider since I bought my OBI110 three years ago, but have pay-as-you-go accounts with both voip.ms and Callcentric, the latter of whom provides free inbound calls to a free DID number (or at least did when I signed up). My worst case scenario was to use Callcentric for inbound calls and both voip.ms and Callcentric for outbound calls. Most people want a fixed cost for unlimited inbound and outbound, but I've found that's not the most cost effective option, especially as a fallback strategy.
Another benefit of having accounts with multiple VoIP providers is that they both work quite well with Android's integrated Internet calling, so I have backup for Google Voice over LTE there as well.
The bottom line is that it is always best to have a plan, preferably with alternatives, worked out in advance of when you need it. Even though it now looks like Google Voice will be supported with the Obihai devices for the foreseeable future there is no guarantee that it will stay free.
SteveInWA:
Quote from: RFC3261 on September 11, 2014, 01:13:49 pm
Quote from: C6silver on September 11, 2014, 12:49:01 pm
Very annoying to have scrambled to find and pay for a new provider earlier in the year to now find out that it was never going away. Geez.
From all the information that is publically available, Obihai (and other solution providers) were telling the truth, in that Google had informed them (and the dog, and the world) of the intent to end the ability for them to be able to route calls via GV. Things (and schedules) changed. But until those changes were finalized, it still could have gone differently. Note that for some, a VoIP provider will be a better choice than GV, even if it may not be for you. I use both (GV and a VoIP provider), and each has demonstrated advantages in certain cases. Options are good. I am glad to see I will have the option to continue to use GV.
Very well said.
This stuff was all worked out after Obihai was on the GV "death row clock". When Google took its position with the third parties, Obihai had to scramble to come up with a survival strategy, as there was no indication that any alternative could be worked out to continue GV support. Obihai wasn't trying to con anyone; they were doing the right thing for their company and their customers by encouraging users to seek out alternative providers. It's really an example of "don't be evil", that Google recognized the opportunity to help solve the issue, and so now we have a technically sound, more secure solution. Having Chee Chew, VP of engineering at Google, openly comment on the solution should convince the conspiracy theorists that this was a real threat, that has now been worked out to everyone's benefit.
Google Voice is, by no means, perfect, and having another ITSP as a backup or alternative service provider is an ideal approach. Like RFC3261 said, options are good.
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