I love Google Voice, but I haven’t used it to replace my phone yet because I need to make calls when I’m out, and I don’t carry my computer with me everywhere I go (nor do I have Internet access everywhere, obviously). Are there any providers that will do a smartphone with a data-only plan, and would using GV on such a phone work to essentially give you free mobile phone service?
Can you get a data-only plan smartphone and use the Google Voice app to function as a regular phone?
Well Virgin Mobile has a Samsung Smart phone and for $25 a month you’re supposed to get unlimited internet access, and 300 minutes phone time. I’ve only had it for a week now and I’ve never used Google voice, but it wouldn’t surprise me that you could use it this way.
You know, after I posted the question I just came across that - Beyond Talk right? I’m looking at that same Samsung phone. How is it? How is the service? I’m strongly considering buying that one, because right now I have MetroPCS and the service absolutely blows (I can’t even get reception inside a building. Have to go outside and even then it’s really spotty. And I’m in a huge metropolitan area).
How about buying an iPod Touch and using the Google Voice app on it?
Virgin Mobile operates off Sprint’s network. If Sprint service is spotty in your area I’d look for another provider. Also keep in mind that if you find yourself in an area that does not have 3G coverage (I don’t care what any provider says, it happens) Google Voice may not work.
Looking at the specs of the phone it appears to be a run-of-the-mill phone, one step above entry level. It doesn’t compare to a Galaxy S or an HTC Incredible but it should work for what you want to do with it.
I live in L.A. and rarely travel outside of the city so I’m not too concerned about that (my current provider’s coverage area is much more restrictive even than Sprint’s). My main concern is cost because I’m really, really cheap. I know that the Android phone offered from Virgin isn’t nearly top of the line, but it’s a big step up from my current, even crappier non-smartphone (hm, would that be a dumbphone? Sure, I’m coining a term. Dumbphone).
Hate to break it to you, but the term ‘Dumbphone’ has been around for several years.
The problem with this is that your ability to talk on the phone would be contingent upon having 3G service. As others have said, this is not always the case regardless of what network you have. 1 bar? No bars? Your call is likely to be a garbled mess (if it even connects at all).
I thought the iTouch just used Wifi–no 3G. So it wouldn’t be very portable.
It’s like using a portable phone as a cell phone.
The immediate problem with this plan is that Google Voice is not a VOIP service. That is to say, you still need phone service for GV to do its thing. Now, if you were talking about Skype, or something similar, well sure, that could work, at least in theory. Whether you can get a provider to sell you a data only plan for a phone is a different hurdle.
Hey, that doesn’t mean I didn’t come up with it independently since I’d never heard it used before. 
I don’t think 3G service within the city could possibly be any worse than MetroPCS’s shit-tacular cell network, so I can live with that. I think I’m going to try that Virgin Mobile plan for $25 though, which is unlimited data (albeit with the slightly older-model Android phone) + 300 minutes a month - more than I use anyway.
No, not that I’m aware of, and you wouldn’t want it anyhow. Sure, you control your outgoing calls, but people are going to forget or ignore your GV-only directive and just call your cell. Sure, you don’t have to take the calls, but it will be a hassle, and you’ll start wondering if it’s some potential emergency, and ultimately end up taking calls at overage rates from minute one.
If it’s not VOIP, then what is it? Not disagreeing, just curious.
I was under the impression that it doesn’t use your provider’s airtime.
+1
Google has confused people with Google Voice and Google Talk.
Google Voice is not for talking, just for routing calls to all your phones, recording voice messages and sending text messages.
Google Talk allows you to make outgoing calls and is integrated into GMail on some Web Browsers (it requires a plugin that is not available for mobile internet devices).
I have it as a native app on my Android.
If you make a call with it does it count against your phone plan’s minutes?
No Google Talk uses the data plan.
I have this phone, but on sprint not virgin mobile. Where I am, service outside is great, but inside some buildings, it’s really bad. I get roaming onto verizon, but I don’t think there’s any roaming with VM. The phone itself is just okay. It’s not high-end, and it won’t ever run like a high-end smartphone. If you download and run too many apps, it will be slow and laggy. It’s good for a first smartphone, and if you keep in mind it’s not an evo/epic/insertnamehere.
YMMV of course
Virgin Mobile service runs on the Sprint network. Where are you located?
Which phone are we speaking of specifically?