Does Android Have This??
TheGreatOne
Master - Level 1

Just am curious to know if in the market is there an app that offers you to make calls without using your minutes.....?

 

 

iPhone app lets callers sidestep AT&T

Owners of Apple's popular phone can use a new app to make calls without using their minutes. A 'game changer'

Tags (4)
0 Likes
1 Solution

Correct answers
Re: Does Android Have This??
bkfist
Specialist - Level 1

Actually Robbob, Verizon is now officially supporting Skype VOIP on selected handsets (all of the Android models included) that allows ones to bypass using their minutes and communicate directly over the data connection, so discussing this issue/app would not be out of place in the forums.

View solution in original post

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
robbob533
Newbie

Google Voice allows for this as long as you have a WIFI connection.  I would think that using an app that does not count minutes is fraud and that should not be discussed here.  

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
bkfist
Specialist - Level 1

Actually Robbob, Verizon is now officially supporting Skype VOIP on selected handsets (all of the Android models included) that allows ones to bypass using their minutes and communicate directly over the data connection, so discussing this issue/app would not be out of place in the forums.

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
TheGreatOne
Master - Level 1

 


bkfist wrote:

Actually Robbob, Verizon is now officially supporting Skype VOIP on selected handsets (all of the Android models included) that allows ones to bypass using their minutes and communicate directly over the data connection, so discussing this issue/app would not be out of place in the forums.


 

Cool. Good to know. I wish there was a special "app" for all android phones.Like on my G1 (made for T-mobile). I'd like to have use minutes without using my actual minutes.

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
Bill-in-maine
Newbie

Untrue.  Skype on verizon android phones doesn't use voip until it get to the verizon tower servers.  True, you don't use minutes from your plan in some cases, but it isn't using wifi at all....it uses 3G to get from the handset to the verizon servers.....This policy hobbles the otherwise very capable droid when you are over seas, or in an area where there isn't any 3G coverage.

 

the sinister undertones of this policy are scary.

 

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
Paulhar
Enthusiast - Level 1

Does Android have Skype? The true answer is NO.

 

Verizon's shortsighted policy on Skype renders it a useless app. It disconnects from Skype, even for text chat, if the WiFi is turned on. Therefore, you can't keep continuous access to Skype (to receive calls or text) unless you are willing to only use 3G and not connect to local WiFi. The Verizon ads that tout Skype connectivity do sort of fail to mention that it only works by crippling one of your Android's valuable features.

 

Who comes up with these ideas? Verizon, you already got our money for voice and data. Let us have free use of WiFi when we can. Come on! Join us in the 21st century please, its really cool here.

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
fezzik
Contributor - Level 3

The Skype app only allows for Skype to Skype communication over 3G and international calls at a cut rate.  If you have a Skype app you can subscribe and use FRING to connect to Skype and then you can in fact use VOIP and use it over WiFi as well.  There are other options if you already have a VOIP provider but these days it is tough to get them.  Google Voice uses your minutes by the very nature of how Google Voice works.  It is simply a call forwarding service that allows multiple phones to ring and has cool message capabilities.  With Google Voice you don't have to pay for text messages unless the texts also route through your phone.

 

Currently SKYPE + FRING is all you got for bypassing the minutes. 

0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
MrHost
Enthusiast - Level 3
Gogole voice calls you back and connects the call using VOIP, so google voice is a way to do this. It uses data from what I had read. I will do a refresh and post my findings. You have to have a google number to do this though. I can't find out how it works specifically. It says google will conenct you for free..so Not exactly sure. I had read it somewhere that it will do VOIP calling but nothing I have found confirms that..Sry.
0 Likes
Re: Does Android Have This??
fezzik
Contributor - Level 3

 


MrHost wrote:
Gogole voice calls you back and connects the call using VOIP, so google voice is a way to do this. It uses data from what I had read. I will do a refresh and post my findings. You have to have a google number to do this though. I can't find out how it works specifically. It says google will conenct you for free..so Not exactly sure. I had read it somewhere that it will do VOIP calling but nothing I have found confirms that..Sry.

 

Google Voice uses telephony technology to route your calls which is why there is no long distance.  However, the fact that it calls your phone means it is charging you cell phone minutes.  The interesting thing about the Android phones is it skips the call me because the app is built into the phone.  It uses data to initiate the call so you must have 3G coverage to make a Google voice call but once it connects it is run through the Verizon network.  Read up about it.  The benefit pure and simple is you don't pay long distance because the routing system calls you and then routes the call through the system to the other end. On Android phones the main benefit actually is the visual voicemail for free, the ability to reroute your calls without using minutes or costing extra in any way, and a few other conveniences.  It is however charged against your plan minutes. 

 

They are working on VOIP but it will be a while before it is ever released.  They keep buying up VOIP companies so expect it as a paying option probably similar to SKYPE. 

0 Likes