Google Hangouts gets a huge update, including Google Voice integration

There's also a brand new Android app and VoIP calling.

Read the whole story

 

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MindSetter[/url]":mqairv58]For those wondering about the technical details:
You can make phone calls using cell data or wifi and use no carrier minutes (or wifi without a carrier entirely).
Calls to cell and landlines is free in US/Canada, few cents/minute elsewhere.
Calls from hangouts to hangouts are free anywhere. You have always been able to do this using gmail on a computer, now you can do it with your phone as well. (phones were previously limited to video calls).

Situations where this would benefit you:
If you spend a lot of time on the phone in a single location (home or work) now you can kill your battery less, expose yourself to less cellular radio energy, and use no minutes.
If you have a weak cell signal but good wifi your call quality could improve.
If you have an old unused phone sitting around at home and good wifi you can now use that as a free housephone and cancel your landline.

Remaining issues with going 100% Hangouts/GoogleVoice:
The two biggest carriers, ATT/Verizon (surprise surprise) are still refusing to forward mms messages to google voice numbers. So if someone tries to send a group text or picture text to your Google Voice number you might not receive it. Google has been trying to resolve this for a long time.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/colu ... t/4372663/

I always struggled to find a use for the GVoice number. Your post needs to be upp'd quickly to favorite. That last point in the middle section is so helpful!

I use mine to have a separate work vs. personal # (including separate voicemails).

Personal # is the one my actual phone plan is through. Google voice is the number I use for work. (I actually have two google voice numbers, but one goes unused at the moment).

So, work emails end up in the google voice app, work text messages end up in the google voice app. Work phone calls (currently) ring the physical phone.

I'm not sure I want to use hangouts for all (work) calls.. if I'm on GOOD wifi: Great. If I'm on not good wifi.. not so great. Also, I have unlimited minutes.. I do NOT have unlimited data.