I stand corrected - thanks!
Can you get a data-only plan smartphone and use the Google Voice app to function as a regular phone?
I think I have to withdraw my agreement with Cell Guy’s correction.
I just checked my Wife’s Droid and Google Talk does not support VOIP (Voice Chat). Instead, Google Talk on Android appears limited to Text Chats only. This thread on Google support seems to confirm that fact. Also, the Wiki says that Google Talk voice support exists only on desktop OSes. The Wiki for Google Voice says the same thing - no VOIP. On a phone, this make business sense. The cell providers really don’t want you to make calls without using minutes.
Now, having said all of that - I did discover that there is a fairly recent, free App for iOS - Talkatone - that allows you to do VOIP calling with your Google Voice number. I have confirmed this on an iPad and an iPhone 4 over WiFi. I removed the SIM to insure that no cell network was involved. As long as the App is running in the background, incoming calls can dialed to your Google Voice number.
Talkatone is a fairly young App, only around since November. IMHO, it is a bit of a work in progress. The UI needs some work and it is not well integrated with your Google Contacts list - it only allows direct dialing to contacts who have a Google Voice account and are online. All other numbers, even if in your contact list must be dialed manually. It works best on WiFi, 3G support is not as good (from web comments, I did not try).
So, bottom line - Talkatone allows pretty good VOIP, WiFi only calling from iOS devices. On an iPhone, it certainly could replace a voice plan - if you could get a data only contract. I have yet to see that. On an iPad or iPod Touch, you can make and receive phone calls - but you either use them like speakerphones or get ear buds with a microphone. Bluetooth headsets will not work - Apple has not included the necessary hardware support in iPads/iPods. Again, why compete with the iPhone?
I know that AT&T offers a plan with only data and text messaging, but the only way to get it is if you are deaf. And you actually have to prove it. So you know, go stand next to an airplane taking off and then you’ll be good to go. =)
I live at home in Bridgeport, CT but I go to school at UConn in Storrs, CT. Coverage home has been good inside my house, but at my dorm in Storrs it’s awful. I get 2 bars in my room, and I’m always needing to repeat what I say. But if I go outside, I have full coverage :rolleyes:.
And Sprint and Verizon have roaming agreements, if you have no service on Sprint, and there’s a Verizon signal available you can roam onto it. Virgin Mobile uses just Sprint’s network, and there is no roaming. That being said, $25 a month is a bargain. And without a contract to boot.
The Samsung Intercept. Sprint and Virgin Mobile both sell their own version, but they’re pretty much the same thing with a different logo on it.
I have a previous model Samsung Galaxy, as shown here. I am unimpressed by the signal strength for both telephone and 3G service. I used to car pool with two other guys, and when I had no service theirs was fine.
Just something to keep in mind. Otherwise the phone is great. And I am talking about rural areas here in Ontario, so … ah … anyway. I guess that’s all I wanted to say.
This is slightly off-topic, but since the iPod touch was mentioned…
It’s sort of possible to turn an iPod touch into a free “Wifi iPhone”. That is, it will work as a phone when in Wifi, but not on any cellular network, and for no monthly fee.
In order to do this, you need to use Google Voice as your incoming phone number, a Google Voice dialer program (there are a few web-based ones, and it might even be possible to use Google’s official one now, but I’m not sure). You also need a VOIP account that Google Voice can forward to. The one I have is no longer accepting new customers.
I actually did this, and tried it out for a few days, but gave up on it. It was pretty flaky because it required several different services to all work together. And it turns out that the utility of being able to make calls on the go is pretty high. Another downside is that, even with the multitasking that iPods have, you can’t guarantee that iOS won’t decide to kill your phone app, leaving you unable to receive calls until you turn it back on.
Here’s an example of a slightly different configuration: How to Turn Your iPod touch into an iPhone: 4G Edition