My experiences trying(and suceeding) to make my GP a primary phone

My experiences trying(and suceeding) to make my GP a primary phone - Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0, 5.0

Over the last year or so I have been weening myself off of my Verizon feature phone. The journey didn't need to be anywhere near as arduous as I made it out to be, but for a time I had competing goals that sent me in different directions. Here's what I finally settled on. Before you read any further understand that, to my knowledge, this will only work in the US and it will cost you about $5.50 a month for unlimited calling.
Device: Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0(US)
Kernel: TerraSilent 1.3.5 courtesy of Dark_Balor
ROM: Icy Fusion release version 2.3 courtesy of Klin1344
CPU governor: SmartAssV2
Scheduler: deadline(no idea why but this scheduler works markedly better than others for this task)
Min CPU speed: 400MHz(Skype stutters if set lower)
Max CPU speed: 1200MHz
Wi-Fi Sleep Policy: Never
Apps needed for this: Skype, Google Voice, SetCPU(requires root)
Sign up for Google Voice. The settings are rather spartan, but the key issue that people encounter is that they need a phone number. Yes, Google Voice let's you choose a number but that is not tied to a device. What Google wants is for you to give out your Google Voice number and have that ring your cell phone, home phone, work phone, etc. but what if you have a Samsung Galaxy Player without a phone number? Skype, but more specifically we'll need pay features.
Sign up for Skype. We need two things for this to work and for it to be relatively cheap. First you'll need a calling plan from Skype(I chose unlimited US and Canada for $2.99 month to month). Once you have that you will see offers to purchase a Skype Number for 50% off($30 a year after discount). Once you have those items you can go back to Google Voice, click on Settings, under the "Phones" tab click "Add another phone" and then have Google Voice call you to verify that your Skype Number is yours.
The really cool part is that Skype let's you display your Google Voice number when you dial in Skype so the Skype Number essentially disappears. When someone dials your Google Voice number it will ring on your Galaxy Player, your PC(if you run the Skype client), or any other number you specify.
The downside
You're locked into Skype. No matter how you slice it it won't be free unless you forgo the Skype Number and calling plan which obliterates any hope of dialing to phones. If you opt for the calling plan then skip on the Skype Number you're forced to wait for someone to call, miss it, get the notification of a missed call, then dial them back. The Skype app itself has been buggy in the past. Running the Skype app 24/7 definitely cuts into the performance of our devices since they are at the far low end of the hardware spectrum. Can you multitask? Yes. Is it pretty? Not really. I can be assured of not missing a call and listen to music, but if the device syncs other application in the background then everything else beyond music and Skype grinds to a halt for a good 20-30 seconds.
You'll need to manually add your contacts to Skype.
It costs money. This point cannot be understated. It may be less than $6 a month but some people may not want to tack on the price of two trips to Starbucks for something they would rarely, if ever use. There are a lot of apps that will let you make calls for free and even if the quality or limitations blow free is still free.
Using a BT headset with the Skype app is hit or miss. The latency is noticeable.
But what about GrooveIP or Google Mail calling?
Amazing app in that it seamlessly works with Google Voice and Google Contacts, but I never got decent call quality. I could always hear everyone crystal clear(really, it was amazing quality), but no one could hear me all that well. I tried for months to make it work, but I could not replicate some success other Android users experienced even if I copied their settings. Skype worked almost immediately and people love the quality. Additionally I love taking calls on my PC with Skype. Yes, you can use Gmail(on a desktop) to make and receive calls but my experience was that that is more of an oddity than a solution. I can't get Gmail calls to be loud enough and I've had countless experiences where I close a tab(Gmail) thinking I was done with it only to miss a call. The stand alone Skype application for Windows combined with the Android Skype app is the best solution I have found.
"My device pissed all over itself. Skype sucks."
The Galaxy Player is ridiculously underpowered even compared to the Samsung Galaxy S. I have gotten Skype to work well by throwing almost everything else overboard. I was messing around with Winamp and for some reason Skype kept signing out and nothing I did short of a reboot would get it to sign back in. I uninstalled Winamp and all of the sudden I can Skype, play music, and use Firefox at the same time with no issues other than Firefox being noticeably slower than usual. Phones from 2010 sucked. The Galaxy Player is below the standards of a phone from 2010. You will need to treat Skype delicately to say the least.

I set up an ipbxes.org account and linked my SIP to google voice so I can just use the native dialer in android with internet calling. it's a lot less power-thirsty than skype and has a much better interface IMO. plus you don't need credits.

halomademeapc said:
I set up an ipbxes.org account and linked my SIP to google voice so I can just use the native dialer in android with internet calling. it's a lot less power-thirsty than skype and has a much better interface IMO. plus you don't need credits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome solution. I settled on Skype because it was brainless and worked with software I already enjoyed(Skype for desktop Windows). I tried Ekiga(my only venture into VOIP outside Mumble/Teamspeak/Ventrilo) a few years back but I didn't like it for some reason. Anyway, if you have time I'd love to see a write up of what you did.

halomademeapc said:
I set up an ipbxes.org account and linked my SIP to google voice so I can just use the native dialer in android with internet calling. it's a lot less power-thirsty than skype and has a much better interface IMO. plus you don't need credits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, can you tell me the process to making the native dialer work? And what is ipbxes.org? When I enter the url it says "Webpage not available."

the playa! said:
Wait, can you tell me the process to making the native dialer work? And what is ipbxes.org? When I enter the url it says "Webpage not available."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the "i" was an accident. The correct website is "pbxes.org". You will have to be on a non-stock-based ROM ICS or JB to use the native dialer. Open the dialer, Menu -> Settings -> at the bottom, "Internet Calling" -> enter credentials for SIP account.

Mevordel said:
I think the "i" was an accident. The correct website is "pbxes.org". You will have to be on a non-stock-based ROM ICS or JB to use the native dialer. Open the dialer, Menu -> Settings -> at the bottom, "Internet Calling" -> enter credentials for SIP account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aw man, I HAVE to have Nebula/LinICS?

I know of a better simple way of doing it (making the sgp into a phone). I
There is a device called gmate and basically what you do is you take sim card (tmobile or at&t are the only carriers that use a gsm signal) put ur sim into the gmate and it just bluetooths the signal to your device. There you have it now your sgp is a phone
Please read more into it their is a thread on here somewhere
Sent from my YP-G70 using xda app-developers app

Here in the UK the carrier "3" and if I'm not wrong also GiffGaff sell a MI-FI to tether their 3G to any wi-fi capable device.

Related

[REQ] Offline Voice Dial, Voice Search, Voice to Text

Request:
I am looking for an offline version (replacement) of the stock Voice Dialer and Voice Search features.
My situation:
I am not always online with my phone. I have it on a Pageplus plan and not Verizon. My plan only has 50MB of data, so I just leave the data connection off and use WiFi all the time. When I am driving or away from a Wifi spot I can't utilize either feature because they require a live data connection to work. It is very inconvenient to have to turn on data just to voice dial a phone number or voice launch an app. The same thing applies with the keyboard that has the microphone to do 'voice to text'. All these features are linked and require a live data connection.
I have tried a couple market apps that have the voice features, but they require a live data connection also.
Does anyone know of an offline solution to this problem?

Voice interpretation software is too large, therefore its done on a remote server somewhere. Best of luck finding a solution. I hate to say it, but the outlook is bleak.
Sent from my Nonsensikal Froyo Eris of beastly-ness.

Voice interpretation software is too large, therefore its done on a remote server somewhere. Best of luck finding a solution. I hate to say it, but the outlook is bleak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rubbish - Microsoft managed it years ago on the WinMo devices and managed to cram in voice dialling, application starts, statuses & even media selection into a 7MB app. I would be more than happy to lose 200MB to an SD card to have this functionality offline and with some of the processing power available in our hands now, I totally refute that theory of the software being too large given that it was done (and very well) over 6 years ago with Microsoft Voice Command 1.6. If they've made Maps now available offline with caching, this same functionality MUST be possible with Voice Actions; even if just limited to a set of commands such as voice dialling, starting applications & selecting media as what synaptyc was referring to.

Yeah this would be very good!!!
i am looking 4 an app like this as well!!
I did find an app that can do basic stuff..
But it can't reply back to you.. ;(;(
It should be pre-installed with your phone!!
Its called voice dialer, it can open apps
and call people and thats about it!!

androidboss7 said:
Yeah this would be very good!!!
i am looking 4 an app like this as well!!
I did find an app that can do basic stuff..
But it can't reply back to you.. ;(;(
It should be pre-installed with your phone!!
Its called voice dialer, it can open apps
and call people and thats about it!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
synaptyc said:
Request:
I am looking for an offline version (replacement) of the stock Voice Dialer and Voice Search features.
I have tried a couple market apps that have the voice features, but they require a live data connection also.
Does anyone know of an offline solution to this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try my app. It works offline. Application is named VoiceButton. You can find it in GooglePlay.
I think this is what you need.

[Q] Is there a proper Answering Machine app for Android?

I've searched on Goolge, XDA and many other android forums but fail to find a proper Answering Machine app for Android. By Answering Machine I mean the app that acts like a voicemail residing on the phone - I can see many so called Answering Machine apps which auto-respond to calls via predefined SMS <- this is NOT what I'm looking for.
Thanks for your help in advance.

Visual Voicemail?

Yes. Google Voice.

Google Voice has not started in India. I need an offline - standalone app which is not affiliated with any online service.

i don't think there is one mate..... the old symbian Nokias did...
that was because they were able to send sound directly to the caller ... i dunno if its a hardware limitation ... i really hope someone can figure that out...
i remember used to be able to play songs straight to my conversation so they can feel the base and treble more clearly...i miss that function...also the app with background noises to fake ur surrounding.....
i wonder if N8 can do this...?
***EDIT**** oops i realize u meant online service... nevamind... hehe ignore my RANT

Answering machine app? Isn't it just the voicemail itself with pre-recorded greeting message?
Or visual voicemail like someone mentioned before.
Edit: I see you need an offline service. The ones I know all all either bound by carrier or need internet.

Calling developers
When I had a symbian phone, things were so easy. I used IVCM (interactive voice call master) to handle incoming calls.
This app is near to perfection, it can distinguish callers (in address book, in some whitelist, in a blacklist, unknown callers and, last but not least, private numbers)
For any of those you can define a suitable treatment, invoke the answering machine after xx seconds, play a notification then hang up, forward the call to another number, play the busy tone, and more options.
Furthermore you can schedule the behaviour, so the phone switches to answering machine at once during the night, let only friends reach you in the evening etc...
Outgoing messages can be personalised by address group, country (=different language!), friends, private number callers etc..
It can also record a call (incoming, outgoing or both) without beeps.
This is a call to the Android developer community. Please build us an app with a similar usability, picking things up where IVCM stopped.
I will be your first customer and prepared to pay well for it!

Have you tried youmail from android market?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

cannot work due to technical reasons
yep, I had the same kind of soft on my symbian, it was called Advanced Call Manager (ACM). The same soft exists for Android, so I tried it, but no answering machine on the Android version. I asked the developer team, and they told me it's not possible on Android.
this is confirmed by several posts
forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1533213
groups.google.com/group/android-developers/browse_thread/thread/e8904c82a2c4a333?pli=1[/url]
it's the only feature I miss since I switched over from my symbian phone

youmail? the would be something to post in the android section of xda not the vibrant section. Also since you are looking for India specific stuff it would get a wider audience of people around the world

Hi there
I was looking for the same, and found a old solution.
The Name is airvoice, but works only on rootet Phone and only on the old Android Hero mobile.
I asked the developer to continue his great work. He seems to be dissapointet, that so many people votet his app so bad in the market.
So if you guys also try to contact the developer (through the contact inf's on the Market) maybe he will continue?
Greetings to you all!
ivi
See here: http://www.androlib.com/android.application.cn-airrunner-voicerecorder-pipx.aspx

Also there is a ongoing discussion on the same topic on android stackexchange.
Sorry,can insert a link as a newbie open android.stackexchange and search for "Answering Machine on Android"
might be of interest to some one
bram

back to symbian
Highfly2 said:
When I had a symbian phone, things were so easy. I used IVCM (interactive voice call master) to handle incoming calls.
This app is near to perfection, it can distinguish callers (in address book, in some whitelist, in a blacklist, unknown callers and, last but not least, private numbers)
For any of those you can define a suitable treatment, invoke the answering machine after xx seconds, play a notification then hang up, forward the call to another number, play the busy tone, and more options.
Furthermore you can schedule the behaviour, so the phone switches to answering machine at once during the night, let only friends reach you in the evening etc...
Outgoing messages can be personalised by address group, country (=different language!), friends, private number callers etc..
It can also record a call (incoming, outgoing or both) without beeps.
This is a call to the Android developer community. Please build us an app with a similar usability, picking things up where IVCM stopped.
I will be your first customer and prepared to pay well for it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here..!!
i used BEST ANSWERING MACHINE on symbians, for answering my calls during my work time, and i used to listen and respond accordingly to the recorded calls. i seriously think symbians was the smartphone,
androids not.
i dont want ease of facebook on the go, i want ease of phone on the go. i want SMARTphone, not the handy pc for accessing rich websites on the go.
i ended up buying a second hand nokia e72 for managing my life while mm on work,
i have android ASUS ZENFONE 4.5
and Apple 5s but nowhere i found reliable answering machine,
the solution i found is going back to symbians to manage my calls.

Sony Xperia Z series have built in Answering machine... I know that can be ported to other rooted Android Phones as well. But dont know how to do it.
If some God can port this.iT ll be great and I am Ready to Pay. Or Somebody guide me.. with how to Mod Links.I'll try.
I used to have the Note3 LTE ..I loved it very much..but no ans machine..so now i bought Xperia Z and Happy LIfe..
No more unattended calls from unknown numbers.

i found this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmiyusov.mvm&rdid=com.pmiyusov.mvm
2 things that i found with this, the caller could here the greeting, but the greeting is played out loud in the phone,( so cant be used in meetings) and it failed to record the message( i did not tinker with the settings, so cant really say that the app is non-functional). BUT this does look like someone is trying, so kudos to the developer.
I use a galaxy s3 with installer version of cyanogen.

Im looking for this too. I had the app call Autopilot answering machine on my n82 (maybe now it has been abandoned). Just let me explain the feature of this app because it cannot be compared to 100% to Google Voice:
1) You can record your own voice as the answering machine to block call and play your own voice when someone call you. Example "Hello dude I'm not available right now please leave a message". Of course I was able to set only specific contact with that voice.
2) the app able to auto record voice too.
3) perhaps this is hardware limitation because the app can mute your mic when answering machine is executed (so that the receiver only can hear your answering machine voice).
I was looking for this app for a long time. I dont think it exist. Maybe not possible.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Can anyone help me have that?

Developer prefer to dev game because it is useful than visual voicemail. If you want to use voicemail, you can come back to Symbian.

Forward incoming calls app is the solution to me
Hello, I've been looking for that too.
I think that an alternative may be to divert the call to a mailbox a voip service or conventional telephone answering service.
This will cost and will require an extra line (or the use of electronics own line desk), but it is what I mean when possible.
For this I will use a call forward app with rules, as QuickCallForward or other, with more filtering rules. Some app with whitelist, blacklist, unknown, scheduler for use in specific times and days.

You maybe interested in the "LVoicemail" project at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/app-lvoicemail-t3485750/page1

[Q] Skype for g tablet

I hope this question is ok to ask? I was hopingto be able to Skype on my viewsonic tablet I downloaded android app no use deleted. Tryed todownload for mircosoft won't allow me too I can't get a video feed to pop like I can using laptop? Can someone help me? Great device for email and web! But I need to Skye family.
Thanks
Jumpmaster82

I don't think Skype for android does video yet. Check themes area, there are some threads there. Reelportal seems to work.
Jim

Calls Work
I have skype working on my tab with TnT lite 3.4 right now.
the android app doesnt have video yet, but i pay 3 bucks a month for unlimited calling in the US and my tab work beautiful to make calls, ordered a pizza off of it last night.
If your looking to video chat, the yahoo messenger app works great regonizes the camera built in.
But you have to download the yahoo mess app from the market and install it first, and then search for the yahoo messenger video add-on app for the video to work.
Good luck hope this helps.

jumpmaster82 said:
I hope this question is ok to ask? I was hopingto be able to Skype on my viewsonic tablet I downloaded android app no use deleted. Tryed todownload for mircosoft won't allow me too I can't get a video feed to pop like I can using laptop? Can someone help me? Great device for email and web! But I need to Skye family.
Thanks
Jumpmaster82
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please use the search feature on this site, there are plenty of threads on this that will answer any and all your questions. All we need is another skype thread asking the same questions to get the same answers.
I'm just saying...

skype
Thank you for some ideas don't want to duplicate threads, but I would like to Skype.
Jumpmaster82

copc said:
Please use the search feature on this site, there are plenty of threads on this that will answer any and all your questions. All we need is another skype thread asking the same questions to get the same answers.
I'm just saying...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello there new wannabe moderator! How ya doing

@OP:
We're flooded with similar requests for Skype; just did a quick search using the following keywords:
g tablet skype (http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partne...fhnf&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=g+tablet+skype&sa=Search)
Have a look at some of these threads, you likely find what you need.
Regards,

Just thought I would mention that I have been searching for an hour and still cant find a link....

I am using Yahoo messenger also. Video chat works great.

Fix that market!
Skype only showed up for me after doing the market fix.
Simple way:
-Force Stop Google Services Framework. Do not clear cache.
-Force Stop Market. Do not clear cache.
-Load Titanium Backup (rooted/free one works fine for me) and Wipe Cache for Google Service Framework.
-Run Market again (And you should get an Error!)
-Reboot and wait until all clear (SD scan complete and all) then load Market again.

While I appreciate the instructions as a newb, Not sure how to do what to do or where to get what to get.
How to force stop and titanium backup....
what any idiot knows, I aint got a clue about.

cassycan said:
While I appreciate the instructions as a newb, Not sure how to do what to do or where to get what to get.
How to force stop and titanium backup....
what any idiot knows, I aint got a clue about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To force stop, go to Settings->Applications->System Applications and find the app in the list. Tap on it, and you'll see a "Force Stop" button.
Titanium is a market application. You can either download it from the market (if you can access the market), or you can download it directly from the author's site here: http://matrixrewriter.com/android/files/TitaniumBackup_latest.apk

Thanks to all.... I am not stupid but I admit ignorance. Than ks for the help..... Is now done and working and got skype. magic.
BTW how is winter springs. lived in longwood and sanford for 15 years.
thanks for the patience

So I guess the version that was released for Verizon phones like the Thunderbolt aren't easily ported over, right?
Seems only VZ phones support skype video.

Here is the bottom line.
The current skype app for android does not support video conferencing. Only audio. The video version released for the thunderbolt is not compatible with the gtab, or anything else for that matter. Many of us have tried to make it compatible. No luck.
Skype was just bought by microsoft. And microsoft is well known for killing their software competitors, so don't hold your breath for a video skype for android anytime soon.
That said, you guys should have done a search for skype and other video conferencing apps. I'll be a nice guy and tell you which ones work and which ones don't work here.
Oovoo - works for froyo and ginger.
Yahoo messenger - works for froyo and ginger, you need the vid plugin app.
Skype - only audio.
Google talk - nada...
Vtok - works for some people, doesn't work for others, I'm still trying to figure out the determining factor.
Gay roulette - works wonderfully... so does every other random on-cam masturbation apps. Makes me wonder. If these random video chat apps work so well, why the hell can't the REAL VIDEO CHAT apps work? Boggles my mind why we can't get a decent video chat app even though the porno industry is light years ahead.

goodintentions said:
Here is the bottom line.
The current skype app for android does not support video conferencing. Only audio. The video version released for the thunderbolt is not compatible with the gtab, or anything else for that matter. Many of us have tried to make it compatible. No luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks for verifying- I figured I would have seen more threads on this if it were working.
Skype was just bought by microsoft. And microsoft is well known for killing their software competitors, so don't hold your breath for a video skype for android anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree, that seems to be an overly simplistic view of the situation.
MS bought Skype to offer more services and be more competitive with their biggest rival at the moment: Google.
Google has a variety of voice calling services, and MS has NONE- this is their attempt to attract some of that market. And just like they are pushing bing maps and search on Android devices, don't be surprised if they push their voice services there as well. They did not buy Skype in order to push WP7, I don't believe that for a second (MS isn't that suicidal, it makes no good business sense).
Remember, Skype makes most of their money from phone calls to regular phones, and that is regardless of what OS you use (Mac, Linux, mobile, etc). MS didn't buy Skype to run them into the ground. They can't afford to go losing paying customers on this investment, so it would be silly for them to drop the growing mobile user base (especially with Google Voice calls over IP dangling over our heads).
Also, lets not forget their apparent deal with Verizon to release video mobile versions. Just because MS bought them doesn't mean all current contracts and deals are nullified. They might have projects set in motion and obligations to finish before MS has a say in shifting gears.
That said, you guys should have done a search for skype and other video conferencing apps. I'll be a nice guy and tell you which ones work and which ones don't work here.
Oovoo - works for froyo and ginger.
Yahoo messenger - works for froyo and ginger, you need the vid plugin app.
Skype - only audio.
Google talk - nada...
Vtok - works for some people, doesn't work for others, I'm still trying to figure out the determining factor.
Gay roulette - works wonderfully... so does every other random on-cam masturbation apps. Makes me wonder. If these random video chat apps work so well, why the hell can't the REAL VIDEO CHAT apps work? Boggles my mind why we can't get a decent video chat app even though the porno industry is light years ahead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL @ the gay roulette...
I've used Yahoo messenger before, and it DOES work pretty well, honestly- but it requires the person I'm calling to have YM as well, and to be perfectly honest, no one I know has it. Tango, etc, is similar- great service, if I'm calling other mobiles who happen to also have it installed already. Most of us are interested in Skype because we're calling family members, significant others, etc, who are not going to switch to a new service just because we have a cool new toy.
Oovoo is interesting- I didn't know they worked on Android (last I checked they didn't have a working client yet). I still have the same problem as before (no one has it), but I like the 3 way video feature. I might be able to convince people to switch to that because of the added functionality. Thanks for pointing that out!
Where can I find an oovoo .apk, though? It doesn't show up in my market (google or Amazon), and the version I found with a search here appears to be a beta that doesn't support video calling yet.
I'm running CM7 on my G-tab, btw.

Dishe said:
I disagree, that seems to be an overly simplistic view of the situation.
MS bought Skype to offer more services and be more competitive with their biggest rival at the moment: Google.
Google has a variety of voice calling services, and MS has NONE- this is their attempt to attract some of that market. And just like they are pushing bing maps and search on Android devices, don't be surprised if they push their voice services there as well. They did not buy Skype in order to push WP7, I don't believe that for a second (MS isn't that suicidal, it makes no good business sense).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're forgetting something. MS is coming out with the tablet version of windows... called windows 8. Making skype friendly to google android will only enrich google more. If anything, they will make skype more friendly to windows 8 than anything else.
Remember, Skype makes most of their money from phone calls to regular phones, and that is regardless of what OS you use (Mac, Linux, mobile, etc). MS didn't buy Skype to run them into the ground. They can't afford to go losing paying customers on this investment, so it would be silly for them to drop the growing mobile user base (especially with Google Voice calls over IP dangling over our heads).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not saying they're going to run skype into the ground. I just don't think making video chat accessible to android platform a priority right now for them. They will be coming out with windows 8 in a few months. I believe that's where they'll concentrate their effort.
Also, lets not forget their apparent deal with Verizon to release video mobile versions. Just because MS bought them doesn't mean all current contracts and deals are nullified. They might have projects set in motion and obligations to finish before MS has a say in shifting gears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sure hope you're right. All my relatives are using skype video. And they ain't changing to something else anytime soon.
Oovoo is interesting- I didn't know they worked on Android (last I checked they didn't have a working client yet). I still have the same problem as before (no one has it), but I like the 3 way video feature. I might be able to convince people to switch to that because of the added functionality. Thanks for pointing that out!
Where can I find an oovoo .apk, though? It doesn't show up in my market (google or Amazon), and the version I found with a search here appears to be a beta that doesn't support video calling yet.
I'm running CM7 on my G-tab, btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hacked version of oovoo specifically for gtab works. Here's the file.

Thanks for posting that, I'll try it later.
The Yahoo messenger app, meanwhile, is terrible! I remember it working ok on my Optimus' rear camera, but after trying it now I've had a totally different experience. First it wouldn't stop ringing (connected the call, but kept ringing, even after signing out. I had to FC the app to make it stop!), and even when it DID connect (on the 5th attempt), my video wouldn't transmit, and my friend's Nexus S I was calling only used the rear camera.
This app is useless!
Before I try Oovoo, it has just come to my attention that Fring supports plugging into other video chat protocols, including Gchat and Yahoo directly. Since Fring works pretty well on most mobile devices (I recall Fring to Fring working well, but didn't keep it cuz no one has fring!), could this be a better option? Then we could call other Fring users, and desktops using Gchat (or whoever is stuck using Yahoo IM I suppose). If I recall correctly, Gchat can even work in a web client without installing software, video and all, right?
That's might be a good alternative. Meanwhile, back to the whole Skype/Android/Microsoft thing, what ever happened to their aquisition of QIK? I thought part of the reason Skype bought Qik was to integrate their preexisting client and userbase of Android users into Skype. I can't believe MS would just drop all that, would they? And what will become of Qik in the end?

Dishe said:
That's might be a good alternative. Meanwhile, back to the whole Skype/Android/Microsoft thing, what ever happened to their aquisition of QIK? I thought part of the reason Skype bought Qik was to integrate their preexisting client and userbase of Android users into Skype. I can't believe MS would just drop all that, would they? And what will become of Qik in the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they would drop all of that. MS is getting ready to make a big splash with their windows 8 for tablet platform. The last thing they want is to add more options to their biggest software competitor, google.

goodintentions said:
The hacked version of oovoo specifically for gtab works. Here's the file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesn't work on my gtab (CM7 n85).
It turns on, signs in, but video calling is inactive and any voice calls made/received are terminated as soon as picked up.
Yahoo messenger (with video plugin) was also reported to work. Yet, I wasn't able to make/receive any calls with it (IMs sent fine, calls never goes through).
Any insights are welcomed and appreciated.

Looking for this 'exotic?' app

Hey so i recently converted. Back in symbian (XM 5530) I used to have an app that'd conveniently record all calls/messages (after playing back my msg) if i didn't pick up for like 40seconds. all the messages would be stored offline.
Now i see all kinds of 'visual voice mail' and the likes apps on market but i can't find an app with this simple functionality. Is there such an app? (i'm on SGS2 ). I don't want to use my operator's voicemail and Google Voice doesn't work here.
I hope 'theres an app for that'.
Please share android gurus.

Hullomail is a great voicemail app.

Does it work in any of the 200 countries beside the US/UK? caz i'm not living there
To clarify, i want something offline. an offline app, my crappy symbian phone had one such app. It's simple mobile101. Something that picks up a call if i don't pickup for like 30 secs. plays a message and records the user message to memory. I dont want to pay extra to my operator for voicemail.. I dont want to go through lengthy processes and new services to route my friend's calls/recordings.
Something offline. on the phone. that does't need internet to run. doesn't cost monney and works in asia

milkywayer said:
Does it work in any of the 200 countries beside the US/UK? caz i'm not living there
To clarify, i want something offline. an offline app, my crappy symbian phone had one such app. It's simple mobile101. Something that picks up a call if i don't pickup for like 30 secs. plays a message and records the user message to memory. I dont want to pay extra to my operator for voicemail.. I dont want to go through lengthy processes and new services to route my friend's calls/recordings.
Something offline. on the phone. that does't need internet to run. doesn't cost monney and works in asia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asia kinda big still for what country do you need it to work in?

Nyssa1104 said:
Asia kinda big still for what country do you need it to work in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pakistan to be precise. but Like i mentioned in first post. I used to have an app on symbian that'd record all calls offline (no internet, no voicemail operator BS) . It'd just pick up a call if i didn't pickup for 30,40 seconds , play my msg and let them record their msg. All offline, no internet required, no 3rd party call forwarding, so regardless of locality, if such an app exists, it shud work everywhere.
It's a simple task but I couldn't find any app for this simple task on android market which is a bit surprisng, considering how sucky symbian is and how it lacks apps support but it had that app and it is a pretty primary task, i can't use GV, or any third party internet/call-forwarding app.
Was wondering if anyone knows an offline line app that'd do thi ssimple task.

The Wifiphone

So I've recently swapped over from an Ipod Touch 3 to a Samsung Galaxy Player 5. There are things I love and things I hate about my new device, since I used my Ipod touch primarily as a smartphone whenever it was on wifi. Here are some of my observations and things I've found along the way that might help people make the switch:
~~ VOIP Calling ~~
I've tried several of the VOIP apps (gtalk, grooveip, etc) and they all share a common problem: there is a large delay on the line. When I had my ipod touch, I used to use an app called Talkatone and it worked beautifully with no delay whatsoever. Turns out, you can get it on android (although not through the market). Had to really dig to find this one, but boy is it worth it!The app is incredible and works out of the box with no configuration. No delay at all, no echo, each party can hear the other without a problem. And it's free (for now)!
RECOMMENDATION: Talkatone (google: "talkatone apk" and find the link to the official site. Sry I can't post the link )
~~ Texting ~~
Use the official google voice app for now and throw a widget on your home screen. I got so spoiled by bitesms/google voice integration on my ipod, but for now this is about as good as it gets. Eventually, chompsms or some competitor will integrate google voice so you can quick-reply to texts without leaving the app you're in. They say it's in the works, so keep your fingers crossed!
RECOMMENDATION: Google Voice App (market)
~~ Calendar ~~
Using lockinfo on my ipod really spoiled me as far as keeping track of my upcoming events goes, but android gives us a similarly simple solution in the form of Pure Grid Calendar Widget. Toss a 4x4 XL widget on your homescreen and have fun never opening your calendar app again
RECOMMENDATION: Pure Grid Calendar Widget (market)
~~ Music: Desktop Syncing ~~
Coming off of itunes is tough, as I'm sure you all know. I decided to use windows media player on my desktop to sync my music, since it allows easy syncing to external SD (important, since I have more than 8GB of music) and is easy to use, despite being ugly and clunky. To listen to music on my computer, I'll be using Zune (soooo much better than itunes!), since playlists and ratings should sync right over to windows media player and therefore, my android. Still playing around with this, though. Will update as time goes on.
RECOMMENDATION: ?
~~ Music: Your device ~~
If the stock music player had a widget that worked, I would have used that, but since it didn't and there seem to be no good widgets for it in the market, I swapped over to PlayerPro. So far so good, but still don't have much experience with this, so will update over time.
RECOMMENDATION: ?
~~ Browser ~~
Currently I'm using the stock browser, since it is relatively zippy and works with flash player. Tried opera mini, and love the speed, but compatibility is shaky. Still not sold on this one.
RECOMMENDATION: ?
~~ File Explorer ~~
Use ES File Explorer. Don't ask questions. Just do it. When/if you decide to root, it gets better. Before you root, it lets you change file extensions (stock does not). It's also free with no ads.
RECOMMENDATION: ES File Explorer (market)
~~ Keyboard ~~
I'm personally really liking Swype, but it does take up a lot of memory and the keys are very small in portrait when typing things you can't swype (usernames, passwords, email addresses, slang, etc). Not sold on this, but definitely better than stock.
RECOMMENDATION: Swype ?
If you guys can think of anything I've missed as far as decisions about android you have to make, please let me know so I can update this. Still relatively new to android. Thanks!

Hi,
I haven't tried it yet (using Sipdroid + GV + pbxes.com, currently), but here's a link for Talkatone.com and Android:
http://www.talkatone.com/android-preview.html
Jim

Thanks, that's the link I'm not allowed to post! Do you experience any lag when talking on the phone with sipdroid? I had really bad lag, but may have set it up incorrectly. Want to make sure my info's right. Thanks, again!

xxBrun0xx said:
Thanks, that's the link I'm not allowed to post! Do you experience any lag when talking on the phone with sipdroid? I had really bad lag, but may have set it up incorrectly. Want to make sure my info's right. Thanks, again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
No, I haven't noticed any lag using Sipdroid+GV+pbxes.com on my SGP5. The only thing I've found is that I think it won't go into speakerphone mode on the SGP5. Works fine holding the SGP5 up to your ear, like a "real" phone .
I haven't tried it with the earbuds (suppose to have a mic on them already) or with a Bluetooth headset yet.
FYI, I downloaded the talkatone APK. It installed ok on my SGP5, and at first I couldn't call out. But I changed the compression to "none WIFI" and I think it worked ok after that.
However, whenever I pressed the "Speakerphone" icon, the talkatone app would FC, so it looks like they have some work to do (I know it's an "alpha"). I've uninstalled it from my SGP5 for now, since Sipdroid seems to work ok, plus the talkatone app puts up a ton of ads while it's running (like a new ad every couple of seconds?).
Later,
Jim

I find GrooveIP works pretty good, but will try Talkatone, thanks! Texting GV for sure.
edit: Trying Talkatone, not nearly as good UI as GrooveIP (no access to Google favorites, no contact pix), does seem to make calls fine. Speakerphone crashes app. Sticking with GrooveIP for now, until they officially release this thing.
I had Boat Mini as my browser for a year on my phone, but jus switched to Dolphin HD on my 5.0, very nice, especially the RSS section (Webzine). I have now eliminated Pulse because of it.
I really like the built in calendar, use Smooth Calendar Widget with it.
Don't listen to music a lot, but find Google Music nice (use it on my PC at home and work). For off-line I use Cubed, very nice UI and widgets, here'sthe link, it's hard to search for: http://www.appbrain.com/app/³/org.abrantix.rockon.rockonnggl
FX File EXplorer is great unrooted, but since I have File Expert on my phone, I'm using it on my 5.0, love this theme:http://www.appbrain.com/app/file-expert-dream-bubble-theme/com.geek.filexpert.theme7 My ONLY issue with it is it does allow reverse sorting (by date ends up newest last, which sux), but favorites pretty much solved that.
+1 Swype.
Like Any.DO for lists/google tasks sync.
Like Jango for radio/streaming favorites.
Like BMW and PowerTudor for pinpointing power issues.
Like this for weather (only beacuse it was a free Amazon app).
Like this for screenshots (at least for the 1st 14).
Like this for putting different pictures on screens.
And GO Launcher, Dropbox, Quickpic, and K9 are all better than stock.
My favorite game: http://www.appbrain.com/app/super-stickman-golf/com.noodlecake.ssg
xxBrun0xx said:
So I've recently swapped over from an Ipod Touch 3 to a Samsung Galaxy Player 5. There are things I love and things I hate about my new device, since I used my Ipod touch primarily as a smartphone whenever it was on wifi. Here are some of my observations and things I've found along the way that might help people make the switch:
~~ VOIP Calling ~~
I've tried several of the VOIP apps (gtalk, grooveip, etc) and they all share a common problem: there is a large delay on the line. When I had my ipod touch, I used to use an app called Talkatone and it worked beautifully with no delay whatsoever. Turns out, you can get it on android (although not through the market). Had to really dig to find this one, but boy is it worth it!The app is incredible and works out of the box with no configuration. No delay at all, no echo, each party can hear the other without a problem. And it's free (for now)!
RECOMMENDATION: Talkatone (google: "talkatone apk" and find the link to the official site. Sry I can't post the link )
~~ Texting ~~
Use the official google voice app for now and throw a widget on your home screen. I got so spoiled by bitesms/google voice integration on my ipod, but for now this is about as good as it gets. Eventually, chompsms or some competitor will integrate google voice so you can quick-reply to texts without leaving the app you're in. They say it's in the works, so keep your fingers crossed!
RECOMMENDATION: Google Voice App (market)
~~ Calendar ~~
Using lockinfo on my ipod really spoiled me as far as keeping track of my upcoming events goes, but android gives us a similarly simple solution in the form of Pure Grid Calendar Widget. Toss a 4x4 XL widget on your homescreen and have fun never opening your calendar app again
RECOMMENDATION: Pure Grid Calendar Widget (market)
~~ Music: Desktop Syncing ~~
Coming off of itunes is tough, as I'm sure you all know. I decided to use windows media player on my desktop to sync my music, since it allows easy syncing to external SD (important, since I have more than 8GB of music) and is easy to use, despite being ugly and clunky. To listen to music on my computer, I'll be using Zune (soooo much better than itunes!), since playlists and ratings should sync right over to windows media player and therefore, my android. Still playing around with this, though. Will update as time goes on.
RECOMMENDATION: ?
~~ Music: Your device ~~
If the stock music player had a widget that worked, I would have used that, but since it didn't and there seem to be no good widgets for it in the market, I swapped over to PlayerPro. So far so good, but still don't have much experience with this, so will update over time.
RECOMMENDATION: ?
~~ Browser ~~
Currently I'm using the stock browser, since it is relatively zippy and works with flash player. Tried opera mini, and love the speed, but compatibility is shaky. Still not sold on this one.
RECOMMENDATION: ?
~~ File Explorer ~~
Use ES File Explorer. Don't ask questions. Just do it. When/if you decide to root, it gets better. Before you root, it lets you change file extensions (stock does not). It's also free with no ads.
RECOMMENDATION: ES File Explorer (market)
~~ Keyboard ~~
I'm personally really liking Swype, but it does take up a lot of memory and the keys are very small in portrait when typing things you can't swype (usernames, passwords, email addresses, slang, etc). Not sold on this, but definitely better than stock.
RECOMMENDATION: Swype ?
If you guys can think of anything I've missed as far as decisions about android you have to make, please let me know so I can update this. Still relatively new to android. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I personally use Google Voice for texting, and Firefox for browsing. The new release is pretty slick.

First, I think we need separate threads for some of these since there could probably be entire discussions on each. Just a thought. And thanks to Bruno for starting this one.
I've just installed groove IP and tried it out a little. There is a lag plus folks on the other end report bad call quality. I have not played with the settings at all yet. Hope to do that tonight. I'll look at Talkatone once it hits beta or so. Going to look into Jim's solution tonight too as that sounds interesting.
If there are any folks who have been through the Groove IP setup on the YP-G70 already I'd appreciate hearing how your settings ended up!!

My Groove settings:
Audio settings: Echo nothing, Speaker "0", MG -6
Troubleshooting: KSO check, AP check, SV check, HiPerfWifiLock check
All others not checked or default. I don't talk much, but it seems to work. There is a number you can call that repeats back what you say so you can keep testing different settings: 909-390-0003
Mrktmind said:
First, I think we need separate threads for some of these since there could probably be entire discussions on each. Just a thought. And thanks to Bruno for starting this one.
I've just installed groove IP and tried it out a little. There is a lag plus folks on the other end report bad call quality. I have not played with the settings at all yet. Hope to do that tonight. I'll look at Talkatone once it hits beta or so. Going to look into Jim's solution tonight too as that sounds interesting.
If there are any folks who have been through the Groove IP setup on the YP-G70 already I'd appreciate hearing how your settings ended up!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If you're willing to give up the cloud-acceleration try Opera Mobile instead of Mini: it has good compatibility and Flash support, while still being pretty fast, so it doesn't lose any features from the default browser, making it an excellent alternative.

Thanks tcat. I'll try those setting tomorrow.
With regards to which browser I know that the Dolphin browser was very popular but was found to be tracking your surfing and phoning home - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1319529&page=31
In the above thread the Boat Browser seems to be the only privacy safe browser on Android. I am trying the Firefox browser right now.

Hey, just an update on this a few months later: Returned the galaxy player and got myself an optimus V from Virgin Mobile and WOW. Having internet everywhere was awesome Then I upgraded to a Triumph, and soon I'll be on Straight Talk (AT&T) using a Droid Razr. I traded my Ipod Touch straight up for the Triumph and it was basically brand new. Also, don't even want to tell you how cheap the razr was. Craigslist rocks. After playing with true phones, I can't honestly recommend the galaxy player 5 to anyone. It's simply too much money. You could pay a little more and get a galaxy nexus, which blows the player 5 out of the water in terms of specs, and if you decide you want a data plan, you can buy a sim card from straight talk and just use it for that, no monkeying around with voip apps. It costs more, but it is absolutely worth every penny, imo.

edited out reply

Can i use GrooveIP in Europe for free?or is calling only for USA numbers free?
Sent from my Samsung Toaster via XDA - If i helped ,click the Thanks button

Is there an app for international calling? From outside US or Canada to outside.

I did the opposite, went from an Optimus-V to the Player5.0, and use my V only about once per month. Now there are rumors that HTC 3D is coming to VM, if so I'll buy it. I don't like carrying 2 devices, and having data 24/7 is a big plus. I do have wifi at home and work, so the Galaxy is really all I need. GrooveIP works for me 90% of the time (since I get no cell signal at home, it's a must). But the 4.3" screen of the HTC at a much higher resolution will cause me to get rid of this wonderful Player to help pay for the HTC.... my grandfathered $25 unlimited is a deal that's hard to get rid of.
xxBrun0xx said:
Hey, just an update on this a few months later: Returned the galaxy player and got myself an optimus V from Virgin Mobile and WOW. Having internet everywhere was awesome Then I upgraded to a Triumph, and soon I'll be on Straight Talk (AT&T) using a Droid Razr. I traded my Ipod Touch straight up for the Triumph and it was basically brand new. Also, don't even want to tell you how cheap the razr was. Craigslist rocks. After playing with true phones, I can't honestly recommend the galaxy player 5 to anyone. It's simply too much money. You could pay a little more and get a galaxy nexus, which blows the player 5 out of the water in terms of specs, and if you decide you want a data plan, you can buy a sim card from straight talk and just use it for that, no monkeying around with voip apps. It costs more, but it is absolutely worth every penny, imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

@tcat007 Another solution that might help would be to try either Wifi Ruler or WiFi Jumper apps. These apps make your YP-G70 auto-connect to the nearest best wifi signal without any interaction just like a cell phone auto connects to the nearest cell tower.
Haven't tried them extensively yet but I'm thinking they will help bridge the gap between wifi phone and cell phone.

gVoice works best for me. no setup to do

After trying all the apps in this thread, I've found SIPdroid+pbxes works best for me. Audio delay is the smallest out of all of them, even though the interface isn't as pretty.

Thanks
Thanks for the recap

Better Mobile App

welcome