EOL for OBi 200, 202 and 212

[JoeShmoe]

Your OBiTALK device does now, and still will support any SIP VoIP service provider that provides open SIP credentials. Free? No. Affordable? Yes.

Given the above quote, I'm hoping someone would kindly explain to those a little less savvy why then we'd have to change from Google Voice if our "device does now, and still will support any SIP VoIP service provider that provides open SIP credentials".  Moreover, why wouldn't the potential future need of a Obi2XX firmware upgrade not be an issue for any other service provider you choose to use?

My understanding is that the Obi2XX end-of-life means no future firmware updates which would eventually render the device useless for any service provider at some point.

Thanks in advance.

Edited to add: I just read that Google Voice doesn't support SIP.  Maybe that's the reason.

[ceg3]

This sounds encouraging. I arrived late to the party, but found the thread. I haven't logged in for likely two years and rarely use my GV setup, but it would be nice to keep it working. If EOL only means no support (none had for many years) but forum will still be available, it sounds as if things might not be that bleak for my OBi200 continuing to work for some time.

[drgeoff]

[quote author=JoeShmoe link=topic=18992.msg111238#msg111238 date=1642019134
My understanding is that the Obi2XX end-of-life means no future firmware updates which would eventually render the device useless for any service provider at some point.
[/quote]
That is a false inference.  The industry standard SIP specification is a very stable one.  In all the years I've been using ITSPs other than GV, not a single one of them has made any change which required a firmware update to any of my OBis.

[SteveInWA]

Your OBiTALK device does now, and still will support any SIP VoIP service provider that provides open SIP credentials. Free? No. Affordable? Yes.

Edited to add: I just read that Google Voice doesn't support SIP.  Maybe that's the reason.

No, Google Voice uses SIP.  But it does not use conventional SIP credentials (username/password).  It instead authorizes the device to use only the Google Voice service (not full access to your entire Google account), via OAUTH 2.0 secure tokens.

[Derrick]

There are definitely advantages to old style landline.  I have a base station with 6 handsets throughout the house.  When grandma calls, any of us (wife, 3 kids, 3 cats) can pick it up and talk to her.  Call quality is still better than cell phone, but cell phone quality has noticeably improved in the last few years.

With a cell phone, I invariably leave it downstairs and when it rings, I'm invariably upstairs.

 

Consider a base station that also has bluetooth capability.  [The landline of the base station is plugged into the OBi.]  One brand calls it "link-to-cell" --thus when my cellphone or OBi rings, it simultaneously rings all wireless handsets.  Makes life very simple.

I use a blue tooth RF set for that very reason.  However I still needed an ATA for a senior used to her number and a few strategic handsets.  I bought a Magic Jack.  I know I know.  We'll see how it works out.

[gary777]

Poly is selling the Poly 302 and stating that it works with google voice.  Originally the 302 replaced the obi 202. 
Wonder if this device still work with GV after 2023?

[SteveInWA]

Poly is selling the Poly 302 and stating that it works with google voice.  Originally the 302 replaced the obi 202. 
Wonder if this device still work with GV after 2023?

This has been explained many times in this forum;next time, read before posting:

• There were two different families of OBiTALK Analog Telephone Adapters; the 2xx seris and the 3xx series.
• The only significant difference between the two is that the 2xx series included firmware to support Google Voice.  The 3xx series does not.  The 2xx series was intended for sale to anyone; the 3xx series is primarily sold via distributor channels or directly to service providers and carriers.  It is not targeted to consumer sales.
• The 2xx series has been discontinued.  The 3xx series is a current product with a Poly SKU number.  The 300 series works with the business version of Google Voice for Google Workspace customers (and with any standard SIP VoIP service provider).  It does not work with consumer Google Voice.
• Google has no plans whatsoever to support any other hardware on consumer Google Voice.

[drgeoff]

.. the 2xx series included firmware to support Google Voice.  The 3xx series does not.

Minor clarification on that.  The 2xx series and 3xx series had exactly the same firmware but the 3xx models somehow did not execute the GV part(s) of it.

From https://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=9.0

[RFC3261]

.. the 2xx series included firmware to support Google Voice.  The 3xx series does not.

Minor clarification on that.  The 2xx series and 3xx series had exactly the same firmware but the 3xx models somehow did not execute the GV part(s) of it.

While annoying (to some), it is not at all unusual for firmware to evaluate the hardware on which it is installed and enable/disable functionality as appropriate (it is a market segmentation approach).  And while I would prefer that one has the option to enable features (with a fee attached if needed), I do understand that sometimes that is not an approach which works well (as when then the lower cost hardware is provided for low or zero cost via a provider who has chosen to offer the hardware to their customers.  Vendor lock in sucks, except when the alternative is full retail prices).

[mgbCN]

The 300 series works with the business version of Google Voice for Google Workspace customers (and with any standard SIP VoIP service provider).

SteveInWA - I acknowledge your Google Voice expertise, and ask a question:

Is Google Voice as provided under Google WorkSpace a different beast than Google Voice as provided to consumer accounts?

I have a Google WorkSpace account, but have always used my OBi200 with a consumer Google account.  If it's really only a Google account type difference and not a GV implementation difference, then it seems that I could purchase a 300 series unit and port my Consumer GV number to a new user under my Google Workspace account, and carry on past Dec 18, 2023.  Does that make sense?

[Lavarock7]

While annoying (to some), it is not at all unusual for firmware to evaluate the hardware on which it is installed and enable/disable functionality as appropriate (it is a market segmentation approach).

HP made calculators. One model (can't remember which) had a business version and a scientific one. The keys were different but other than that, the calculators were the same. You could cut one trace on the motherboard and switch models.

Also, they made a mainframe which booted with their propriatar operating system but could also boot a unix variation. There was a hardware 'fix' to keep you from buying the cheaper unix version and loading the propriatary system.

Some software in the early years checked the date and disabled functions. One could find the assembly code "If less than or equal to" and change it to "If greater than", thus negating date check.

The 3xx series m=ight have used the same code with a check of the hardware address to determine whether it was a 2xx or 3xx model.

[SteveInWA]

The 300 series works with the business version of Google Voice for Google Workspace customers (and with any standard SIP VoIP service provider).

SteveInWA - I acknowledge your Google Voice expertise, and ask a question:

Is Google Voice as provided under Google WorkSpace a different beast than Google Voice as provided to consumer accounts?

I have a Google WorkSpace account, but have always used my OBi200 with a consumer Google account.  If it's really only a Google account type difference and not a GV implementation difference, then it seems that I could purchase a 300 series unit and port my Consumer GV number to a new user under my Google Workspace account, and carry on past Dec 18, 2023.  Does that make sense?

Sorry for the delayed response; I don't visit this forum much anymore.

Your question with regard to the hardware has been asked and answered many times before, but briefly:  The Poly/OBiTALK hardware for the original consumer Google Voice will not work with business Google Voice for Google Workspace, and conversely, the business hardware won't work with consumer Google Voice.

Google Voice for Workspace shares many of the same features and settings and infrastructure with the consumer offering.  In fact, the revenue generated by the business offering helps Google to continue offering the consumer version for mostly-free.  You can learn more about the business features here:

https://workspace.google.com/products/voice/

You can certainly buy an Poly OBi 300, or any of the Poly phone models certified for Workspace Google Voice.  Annoyingly, there is no direct way to transfer a consumer GV number into Workspace GV.  You'd have to first port the consumer GV number out to some other service provider, wait a week, then port it into Workspace GV.

Setting up Poly hardware on Workspace GV is actually much easier than consumer OBiTALK stuff.  You basically enter the phone's or ATA's MAC on a web page and click the submit button.  Everything else is auto-configured.

See:  https://www.poly.com/us/en/solutions/platform/google/works-with-google-voice and
https://support.google.com/a/answer/9250113?hl=en

[mgbCN]

Sorry for the delayed response; I don't visit this forum much anymore.

Your question with regard to the hardware has been asked and answered many times before, but briefly:  The Poly/OBiTALK hardware for the original consumer Google Voice will not work with business Google Voice for Google Workspace, and conversely, the business hardware won't work with consumer Google Voice.

Google Voice for Workspace shares many of the same features and settings and infrastructure with the consumer offering.  In fact, the revenue generated by the business offering helps Google to continue offering the consumer version for mostly-free.  You can learn more about the business features here:

https://workspace.google.com/products/voice/

You can certainly buy an Poly OBi 300, or any of the Poly phone models certified for Workspace Google Voice.  Annoyingly, there is no direct way to transfer a consumer GV number into Workspace GV.  You'd have to first port the consumer GV number out to some other service provider, wait a week, then port it into Workspace GV.

Setting up Poly hardware on Workspace GV is actually much easier than consumer OBiTALK stuff.  You basically enter the phone's or ATA's MAC on a web page and click the submit button.  Everything else is auto-configured.

See:  https://www.poly.com/us/en/solutions/platform/google/works-with-google-voice and
https://support.google.com/a/answer/9250113?hl=en

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  Your response makes sense, and I will have to consider whether it's worth it to try to port my number over to the GW version of GV in order to keep an ObiTalk device functional on that number.

Cheers!

[loridietz]

Since I have an online store, I always need talking things, so I get good ideas from here. I have to sell these Deep Stone Crypt Raid Jacket products online.

[Taoman]

^^spammer^^