Posted September 21, by by Marianne Schultz. Native Google Voice apps are back in the App Store! Note first that you need a Google Voice account first to use either app — accounts are free and can be requested here Google Voice is currently only available in the U. In short, Google Voice is a free service that provides users with a phone number, advanced call management features, voicemail transcription, and free text messaging. Contrary to what those unfamiliar with the service might think, it is not a VoIP service.

Both apps require you to first log into your Google Voice account in order to do anything. The key to getting Google Voice to work the way you prefer which phones will ring for incoming calls, choosing how calls are screened, which voicemail greeting is used, etc.

Reader John points out in the comments that GV Connect automatically switches to an Offline Dialing mode when no internet connection is available. Calls made with both apps will show your Google Voice number in the Caller ID information on the receiving end. Both apps offer a History tab that shows all recent incoming and outgoing calls. GV Connect has a slight leg up here for avid texters in that it offers a character count to let you know where you stand in relation to the maximum of characters that can be included in a single text message.

This transcription is done by Google and neither app has anything to do with the actual transcription, though both will display them. GV Connect does so a little more readily, showing the full transcription when you tap on a message, with the audio playback controls at the bottom of the screen.

Both apps will play audio of recorded voicemails over the earpiece speaker, speakerphone, or wired headsets. Neither app plays audio over a Bluetooth headset. Both apps offer a comprehensive native interface for Google Voice on the iPhone though there are a few areas where you may be drawn to one over the other. Unfortunately, neither app offers push notifications to let you know immediately when new text messages or voicemail messages have arrived.

For us, neither app feels entirely complete without push notifications and this will be a deciding factor. The ORIGINAL Google Voice app is back and better than ever! See the video here: You must already have a Google Voice account Google Voice is not a VoIP service on iDevices, unless the user has a Gizmo5 company acquired by Google account and a SIP client e.

Concerning the lack of push notifications, there is a very serviceable workaround. You can simply configure Google Voice to e-mail voicemail alerts and SMS messages directly to a third-party push notification service e.

You forgot to mention that GV Connect is much faster at refreshing. Is Google going to release an official app for iOS? This would seem to imply that the answer is no.

They could have resubmitted their app like Amann and Kovacs did, but they chose not to. I thought I would be able to drop my plan down losing my a-list featere and use google voice to save money. I see now that is not how it works.

Download GV Connect - Call & SMS client for Google Voice for iPhone OS

The in-browser calling feature is a part of Gmail, not Google Voice. A Google Voice account is not required to make calls through Gmail in a browser.

Stating that Google Voice is a VOIP service in general would be inaccurate and misleading. I just wanted to say that Google does have its own Google Voice app, called, drumroll , Google Voice. The icon is a cross between the two apps rated here, actually. I think it works well. Meaning that you only have to give people one number, which is important to me.

And it receives push notifications on wi-fi and 4G I assume the same would apply to 3G. Is there a way to distinguish or a setting to change in ios that will let you know that an incoming call is from someone calling your google voice number? Would make life easier if I was to give my google voice number out as my business number.

Just curious if anyone has figured this out. Your email address will not be published.

AppShopper is one of the largest iPhone, iPad, and Mac app directories attracting over , unique people per month with over 9. Our audience is interested in app discovery. Promo content provided courtesy of iTunes. Set-up and Settings Both apps require you to first log into your Google Voice account in order to do anything.

GV Connect — Google Voice for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad

Itaintrite September 21st, You forgot to mention that GV Connect is much faster at refreshing. Kathy September 23rd, Thank you for such a detailed comparison of these two google voice apps. I understand it now. Marianne Schultz September 23rd, John Thanks for pointing this out. Dale February 4th, Is there a way to distinguish or a setting to change in ios that will let you know that an incoming call is from someone calling your google voice number?

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