[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] codesplice:
FAQ!

Frequently Asked Questions

And Frequently Given Answers

In an effort to reduce clutter (and prevent the over-exertion of a small handful of extremely helpful members), here's a collection of answers to some questions that seem to get asked repeatedly. Be sure to check here if you have a question not answered in the Original Post.

Comparison of VoIP Options

Having tested out three main options (GrooveIP, Talkatone, and PBXes + SipDroid) for using the Google Chat VoIP interface to make and receive calls on your mobile device, here's what I have found to be true for my needs and usage. Note that your individual needs may change the criteria upon which each option is rated, and your local network performance may also vary the results. You should still probably try each option to see what works best for you.

GrooveIP

Pros: Easy setup, good voice quality and performance over high-speed network, good integration with Android system, many configuration options

Cons: Poor performance with slower or less-reliable connections (due to limited codec availability) which can introduce significant stuttering, higher latency (possibly introducing lag/delay)

Talkatone

Pros: Easy setup, better performance over slower networks (even 3G) due to the phone-to-Talkatone connection having more codecs options available than the GoogleTalk interface allows, low latency

Cons: Lower voice quality, poor/no integration with the Android system, low reliability (doesn't always reconnect automatically), limited configuration options, rude customer support

PBXes.org + SipDroid

Pros: Solid performance and voice quality over a variety of network conditions, uses TCP connection for better reliability and lower power consumption, advanced routing options available through the PBXes.org account, good integration with Android system, SipDroid client allows a variety of configuration options specifically tailored for use with PBXes.org, automatic PBXes.org account creation

Cons: Slightly more complicated to set up than the other options, free account limits to 2000 minutes per month, possible that the configuration may interfere with receiving calls on your computer (if you're into that sort of thing), shorter (15 second) ring duration may lead to missed calls

More VoIP info:

VoIP w/ ILC codec

VoIP on Galaxy Nexus

Asterisk server on Amazon EC2 (my current setup)

Video tutorial on setting up your own Asterisk server

On using an application other than Google Voice for texting on a Google Voice number:

Can I use X device on Y plan with Z carrier instead?

You're free to try whatever combination you like. I've posted about my experience with a particular device on particular plan with a particular carrier - I haven't tried others. You will have more flexibility in choosing a carrier if you opt for a pentaband device like the Galaxy Nexus, so do keep this in mind. The only

real

device requirement for following along here is a GSM Android device which functions on T-Mobile's network. You can of course use a device intended for AT&T's network if you wish, you'll just have to make sure to choose a prepaid provider accordingly. A broader discussion of available GSM prepaid carriers can be found in this fantastic thread. I have no experience with CDMA devices or carriers so I really can't help you there.​

General VoIP Performance Tips:

Improve Screen-off Wifi Performance

Even with the Wifi sleep policy set to "Never" Android likes to put the Wifi radio in a low power mode when the screen is off. This can cause an increased latency (try pinging your phone from your computer with the phone display on and then with it off - I bet the ping is slower with the screen off) which can decrease performance when using wifi for VoIP. A work around (identified by XDA user melethron in this thread is to use the free Wifi High Performance Widget (by XDA user notabenem) to keep your wifi in high performance mode even with the screen off. The recent versions even include an option to automatically enable high performance mode when the app detects an incoming or outgoing SIP call - genius! This may help if you still have stuttering on VoIP calls over wifi (it definitely seems to have helped me out) though it theoretically may cause a slightly higher battery drain. I haven't observed much of a noticeable difference in battery life.

GrooveIP also has a setting that looks like it does the same thing - Menu > Settings > Troubleshooting > High Perf WiFi Lock. ​

Are there issues with registering DTMF tones using any of these VoIP options?

As far as I can tell, the DTMF tones work fine with each solution I've tried - GrooveIP, Talkatone, CSipSimple+SipGate, and SipDroid+PBXes.org/GVoice. I've had no problems with any of the in-call menu's I've encountered.​

What number will people see when I call them?

The Google Voice app allows you to choose how outgoing calls are placed. Choose to make all calls via Google Voice and the recipient of the call will see your GV number for the caller ID. Similarly, any VoIP calls that are made using a service tied in to Google Voice will sent your Google Voice number as the Caller ID.​

What's all this mess about porting my number?

I encourage you to go all-in with Google Voice if you can. If you haven't been using Google Voice already, the best way to do this is to port your existing cell number into Google Voice - you will then permanently "own" this number and it can follow you for as long as you like. You then won't have to give a new phone number to your friends and family each time you decide to hop carriers or plans.

Google has a pretty good FAQ on things you might like to know about this whole number-porting thing. Once you're decided, head to voice.google.com and sign up.

Some items to remember - from real users just like you!

Okay, I ported my number to Google Voice but now I can't send and/or receive SMS messages. What the crap?

It may take up to 3 days for all the necessary routing to in place. If it's been less than 72 hours since you started the porting process, don't sweat it.​

If I use a Google Voice number, why not set Google Voice to forward ONLY to Google Chat, and NOT the prepaid TMobile number? Why do I need all this other complicated stuff?

I'm coming from a CDMA carrier. What might I not know about GSM?

I understand Google Voice doesn't support MMS. How do you deal with that?

I ordered the SIM + Activation Kit from T-Mobile but I get an error about an invalid activation code when I tried to activate. What the crap?

So there may still be some bugs in their activation system. Keep at it and hopefully things will work out for you. If not, give the T-Mobile Prepaid Activation folks a call at 1-877-778-2107, or just dial *611 after putting the SIM card in your phone.

I don't see an option in SipDroid to link to a newly-created Google Talk / Google Voice trunk. WHY??!?!