Please reconsider continuing GV. I only use your app for the call back feature. I would not mind paying for the app if this helps with your time and continuation of this wonderful product. I dont think Google will have a call back feature for their Google Voice due to politics. Every time I have to call an 800 or 808 number I thank all Gods or what nots for your app because I pretty much save about 60+ minutes just on one call to one of these businesses. Also many of these businesses do not work during the "Free Nights" hours of my plan.

In conclusion. I save so much money using your app that if I can give part of that savings to you in a fee for using your GV app I would be happy to as I still would be saving a fortune. Thanks for the past, and hopefully, future developments of GV app.

Evan,

GV has been incredibly useful to me for its call-back feature. Thanks for your generosity in creating and maintaining it.

I agree that there is no need to duplicate the core functionality already provided by the official app. If you can create a stripped-down version that allows one to initiate a call via call-back (rather than call out), that would be useful. Such an app would have at least two important requirements: 1) It would have to "play nice" with the official app (avoid conflicts between the way each handles calls), and 2) it would have to be triggerable from the native Android contact manager (similar to what you did with GV only now pressing "call" would give 3 options: standard call, Google Voice (official) call, and GV callback).

In short, I would really appreciate, and would be completely willing to donate for such an app.

This app has single handedly made owning my myTouch worth it! I can't imagine this phone without GV! Please continue support!

I think a tiny app with just the feature(s) missing from the official Google Voice app is a great idea. I'm specifically interested in Call Back functionality, but I expect you know that already. :)

Cheers,
Tobias

Quite frankly, I want to have your babies. Oh yeah, and GV sounds is good.

I think (in addition to what Sterling mentioned) it would include the SMS polling you are currently doing. I'm assuming Google will eventually have push support for SMS, but for now your polling works way better than theirs (the official app frequently does not wake a sleeping phone, leading to missed messages).

I was also thinking about looking into adding some speech-to-text ability inside the current app to see how well that would work for text messaging while on the go.

I don't know if I am the only one, but today (Nov.17th, 2009) in the afternoon GV app started having forced stops while logging in. I will try to see if re-installing works. Anyway, I finally installed the official Google Voice app, not realizing that the call back feature was left out of the official Google Voice app for mobile phones. Once I found out, I want to vote (with a $10 donation pledge) for the stripped down version that supports call back. Thanks for your efforts!

The app is fantastic, however like the preceding post I started to experience continuous force closes today.. will try uninstalling and reinstall. Any thoughts as to why this is happening?

CALL BACK CALLING! You are right, I think this is a good idea. That is the feature I miss the most.

PS - My current install of GV stopped working, it crashes when making a call, maybe it needs an update?

GV call back was working fine as of Monday.. now it is now working anymore as I get the dreaded 'force close' during each attempt. I've uninstalled and reinstalled and rebooted G2 phone. Anyone experiencing the same issue and knows of the resolution please post!..thanks

Yes I tried using it but I get force close I hoping that it is something that needs a small fix but I'm thinking it something bigger. Another reason for Evan to reconsider.

Yeah, callback stopped working for me a couple of days ago, both on Cyanogen's 1.5 (4.04) and now with his 1.6 version (4.25). I hope that Google didn't remove that capability. I would love it if you could create a GV Callback app. Yeah, Google Voice can do the rest...but it would be nice to have callback active still.

Hi Evan:

I hope you decide to work on GV again. I would agree that the most basic of functions are all thats needed. The call back over 3g/wifi feature is all that I use in combination with sipdroid. When it was working, they worked perfectly together. Either way, while you decide we can all login to our google voice web pages and do a call back from there. Not nearly as smooth and simple as the GV app, but it does work nonetheless. Please consider at least a patch and charge for it! Sell it from your website rather than the market. This way it is still officially not supported and you are at the very least compensated for your time and hard work! Whatever way you decide, I still thank you for such an awesome app!

Brian

Just installed on my DROID and getting forced closes. Not sure if this is caused by the same problems everyone else has started having or if it is somehow related to Android OS 2.0. Like everyone else, I would really like this to work on my phone in order to get "call back" functionality. I would pay for the app if it only did that one thing (and nothing else) on my DROID.

It looks like callback calls initiated from Google Voice's web interface directly to Sipdroid/Guava no longer work either. Can anyone else confirm?

I can only assume this has something to do with Google's recent acquisition:
googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/google-welcomes-gizmo5.html
Sad day...

Thanks for keeping this going.. I had a question I noticed the GV Unreadservice is constantly running.. Can there be a way to exit the GV application as to kill this service when not needed?

Evan,

I use GV with sipdroid & gizmo5 to make & receive calls over Wi-Fi on my G1. Whatever changes you do make GV to update it, please make sure GV continues to work with a SIP client & number, so that we can continue to make and receive calls over 3G/Wi-Fi.

Other than the above request, I have no other complaints, as even with occasional crashes (force close) GV is still more useful than the official Google Voice app.

Thank you for GV & I do hope you will keep up the great work.

I've been trying to use this for the longest time on my HTC Hero (Sprint). I get through the setup, then to the section that asks to verify my phone number, and asks if I need to use a PIN or not, and if I'd like SMS forwarded to this phone.. then.. nada.. no "next" or "ok" button or anything... help? :)

THANK YOU EVAN!
Seems like nobody has noticed the newer version of GV posted! It works perfectly with donut now! I will be sure to donate and appreciate the fast response!

Evan, thanks, just sent the email. :)

I have followed the instruction exactly the way you have in your GV documentation. Using the DIAL OUT feature, the calls are NOT completed successfully. If I use CALL BACK feature, the calls are completed successfully. What is the reason for this issue.
I really love your app. I will continue using it if I can get this issue resolved.
Please help me with this issue.
Thanks,
Neil

I haven't had any success with GV 2.5.3 when trying to initiate a call. The program returns (after registering call):

Call Failed!
Your call could not be completed! Google Voice said: {"ok:false,"data":{code":20}}

Any insights?

Hey Evan,

This is a great app you have here! I agree that there's a lot of duplicate functionality btw your app and the official Google Voice, but your updates SMS every min, which is close enough to push, whereas the official app does not. At least for the time being, any updates will certainly be appreciated! Just one quick question, do you happen to know if there's any compatibility issues with Android 2.0? Ever since I updated, the GV app does not check for SMS on its own, sadly. Thanks again!

-csoto

love it.. got me through the short period between inbound only calls and payday (a short suspension of service) when all i had was wifi and it was convenient compared to hitting the pc to initiate a callback.
and im often in the middle of nowhere, in the boonies at places with no cell service (no TMO, AT&T, Verizon, nobody) but with wifi (go figure)
I had set GV to default dialer during my "outage", but having an unlimited plan i'd like to use my regular dialer without callback as default, but removing the defaults in application manager from GV doesn't do do the trick.
I had to uninstall GV to restore dialer.

and then, of course, reinstall GV (just not as default)

never mind im stupid.. found the settings on reinstall...

Every car I own has a different kind of wheel on it. They don't keep reinvinting the wheel, but one size just doesn't fit all cars either.

There is no "one size fits all" app for Google Voice either. Your app fills a need for many people (myself included) that just isn't being met by the official app. For me that is the callback method. Other people seem to have other things they like. We are grateful that you have met these needs thus far and hope that you will continue to do so.

Evan,

Did you get my email, as requested, for help with getting this working on Sprints Hero? Thx.

Evan,
A rewrite of GV to do callback only would be outstanding! I hope the project gets legs and takes off.
Best,
Barry

GV Broken again :-( Looks like Google went and changed something again....The callback routine now looks for something else. Seems like they are now looking for the phone type ie; 1 = Home, 2 = Mobile, 3 = Work,7 = Gizmo. I use a sipsorcery server and the problem occurred with it as well. I have no idea how it is patched or corrected, but it seems as though this is the problem. Whenever I have a problem with sipsorcery, the problem also occurs with the GV program so I am sure it is the same routine causing the problem

Is anyone able to call with the GV app since last friday?

Hey, thanks for a great app! What I use it for is an SMS notifier. Your app is more reliable and has a higher refresh setting than the official one. If you could make it to where the notifications take you directly to the official app (or fix text size on Droid) then this app would be perfect. Also, an option to assign the program a ringtone rather than just vibrate would be nice.

Again, thanks a lot! This app makes using Voice for SMS viable.

Yes, obviously the call-back feature is the biggest missing feature from the official app. However, I was not able to get Gizmo, Sipdroid and Google Voice to work on my Motorola Droid while the official Google Voice app was installed. I had to uninstall it, and then everything worked. The way I set up my VoIP calling with Google Voice is described here:
http://davestechshop.net/VoIP-on-Motorola-Droid-With-Sipdroid-Gizmo-GoogleVoice-Free-Calls

I am interested in trying GV with this setup. Is anyone else using GV successfully right now with Gizmo5 and Sipdroid on the Droid?

All I want is the call back. Used it for a while fell in love, now it's not working (GV+Gizmo5+SipDroid)and my heart is broken. Your app. is awesome thank you so much!

getting: "ok":false,"data".{"code":20}} error message. on G1

Your app. and proxydroid are the only apps. I brag about to friends.

Along with the rest of the posts here about the issue with the api change for needing phone type with the callback.

in response to BrianG:
I found it still works if you are using a landline as the callback but not gizmo5.

This issue came up and was solved in pygooglevoice -- looks like a pretty simple fix, especially since you already have the code to pull the phone type (looks like it's used in the forwarding line editing section), as such in my lay opinion all that needs to happen is have that included in the http post to google for the callback

for reference:
the issue and solution in pygooglevoice:
http://code.google.com/p/pygooglevoice/issues/detail?id=18&can=1&q=gizmo

I'll likely download the source and hardcode it for now; but I would love to see an update dealing with the issue for those who don't feel like downloading the source

OK, it looks like the separate GV Dialer app provides call-through using one's own Google Voice number; this is usually more than sufficient in the US. But call-back to Gizmo5 is crucial abroad. Please resurrect it when you have a chance! Thanks a lot.

I would love to see this app resurrected. I've started following you on twitter in hopes of progress updates.

The callback feature is key. The official Google Voice app was changed so that the calls are actually routed through a randomly chosen number shown to the phone provider. This means that for people dependent on adding their personal GV number to their list of free "favorite" numbers doesn't work without fiddling. It's a real PITA and presumably was coded in at the behest of the providers. When your app last worked for me it worked the way I expected -- the call seemed to originate from my GV number and no minutes were deducted.

Thanks JohnW! (Post 117) - You are correct about forwarding to a landline. What I did was switch Google Vocie to forward back over to a Sipgate number and it works great but would still love to see Evan redesign for just the callback feature. For some reason I am getting oneway audio with Sipgate/Sipdroid all of a sudden but now with Evan's GV working and Fring/Sipsorcery (to keep Fring from timing out) all is well again! This combo seems to be working really nicely on my G-1. Geez, what we will do for a free call, LOL!

Please Evan, Rewrite the GV app! It is so useful. I would gladly pay and I am sure others would too! Have you considered doing an all in one Google Voice app and include SIP? Just a thought :-)

Hi Evan. I am a fan of your app for the callback reason as well. Presently on a Motorola Android, the contacts are not working. Anyway, I just wanted to second all the info in comment #72. Can you let me know where the best place to 'follow' this would be, so that I am sure to find out if you revise the app? Thanks much!

Who wants to help maintain a full featured alternative to the official Google Voice app?

I'm not dissuaded by concern about reinventing the wheel or duplicating Google's official efforts. In fact, I think it is important to keep a full-featured alternative available.

What I have in mind would be a total replacement for the official Google Voice app (like the current GV is). I do not think it is enough to provide an app that is merely complimentary and that just offers features missing from the official app. The community needs a full alternative, IMO.

If anyone else feels the same way, get in touch with me and let's create a fork.

Just successfully gutted GV and fixed problem with callback through Gizmo5. The app I am running now has just the dialer and configuration stuff from the original. If 'route all calls through GV' is selected, the standard dialer works and I can use the official google voice app for messages and sms. My code is rough and I appreciate all that Evan has put in to making this. If anyone is interested I think the next step is for me to fork it. I am planning on integrating it into SIPdroid.

Hi, Great app. On my moto droid I can't GV contact list is blank. Isn't this integrated with phone contact lists? Thanks for any reply

Evan, is there a way to hook into the Google Voice service and modified the list of phones to ring on the fly? There is an app called Locale, and if you could hook into it as a plugin, you could have Google-voice change the phone that rings based on your proximity to it. Example:

When you're at home, ring the cell number and the home phone landline
When you're at work, ring the cell number and the work phone landline
When you're in the default location (no place specified), ring the cell number only.

It would be a killer combination...

Callback function and integration with our contact list so we can long press and do the actual callback (GV DIAL) would ROCK! It would be great if it played nice with google voice but even if it didn't we could always make the google changes thru website. I'm Very happy to donate/buy. Hell integrate with sipdroid for that matter and make me have a stoke :P

Brian,

What did you mean by:

"Fring/Sipsorcery (to keep Fring from timing out) all is well again."

Your sipgate forwards to sipsorcery and you use Fring as the Android client? How does that solve a time out issue? I currently have Fring connect to sipgate.

thanks,

The main reason why your application was better are 2 reasons. 1. You have a separate dialer. If someone uses Google's app, you have to be continuously annoyed by a pop up asking you to select call with Google voice or call without. Your app allow us to open your dialer when we want to use GV. 2. Your refresh for new sms is like "Flash Gorden" compared to Google. Google only allows you 5 minutes at the least to receive new sms and voice messages.

Scrubjay:
I would be very interested in seeing your "gutted" code. I'm a bit of a programmer myself and have been looking for a simple but useful Android project to get started on. I have some ideas for integrating with Sipdroid I'd like to try:
1. Automatically switch between SIP and cell phone number for callback depending on whether Sipdroid is connected.
2. Auto-answer Sipdroid (maybe phone too?) when using callback.

Just donated $10 as a "thank you" to Evan.

Evan, please bring back GV with just the dialing feature with callback (linked to contacts like it is now).

I use GV to call back and avoid minutes with my carrier.

Great app!

I second the plea from above:
Tash on Wednesday, December 23rd at 1:09 PM

adding support for Locale would be great. routing google voice calls to mobile, home land line, work land line etc all based on cell phone location would be huge! I love that functionality of google voice, but it's not in my routine to log into google voice and constantly change where I want my calls to ring.
Jeff

From time to time to reach your Academic level you must purchase masters thesis related to this good topic and <a href="http://www.topthesis.com">dissertation writing</a>.

Evan,

Your totally right in your analysis. The official app is pretty much doing the job except for 2 things:
- call back (calling from google voice)
and
- it doesn't refreshes the sms as fast as yours. Their quickest refresh is 5 minutes. I don't understand why.

Thank you so much for the great app

I agree you should continue support for this app, even make it cost money if necessary. The call back is the best feature, however it isn't the only that makes it stand out for me. For some reason, the GV app is able to open and scroll through my contacts much faster than the native dialer which can take up to 90 seconds to load.

Here's a build I made a while back that fixes the callback feature. It also changes the notification so you are only notified once per text message, rather than every time the application polls.

It still has some small bugs, but should work. You'll need to use either ADB or a file manager like the ASTRO app to install the .apk. I've only used it on my G1, so no clue how it might perform on other operating systems.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/42lmgmmzzrn/GV.apk

Evan, hope you decide to resume maintaining GV. Like everyone else, I really miss the callback feature.

Mark, tried your build and many thanks for the effort. However, it crashes when I attempt a call in "callback" mode. I have a rooted G1 running the latest CyanogenMod build.

Sorry Mark, just noticed that GV wasn't updated to work on "Donut." Everything in your build seems to work fine except making a "callback" call. When I try that the app FCs.

Evan, great stuff! I'd like to take a crack at fixing some problems I'm having using GV on my Droid. I'm a SVN newbie but I imagine you need to create a SVN user for me so I can create my own branch. Can you do that? Thanks!