Since we launched Google Voice for iPhone a few weeks ago, we’ve been hard at work to add a few improvements that didn’t make it into the first release.
At the top of the list was adding support for iPod Touch and iPad. Starting today, you can download a new version of Google Voice that lets you use all the features of the app on these devices, such as sending and receiving free text messages - except, of course, make cellular calls.
While you can’t use your iPod or iPad as a phone, you can use it to initiate Google Voice calls with your phones. We call this feature Click2Call. Simply click any ‘Call’ button in the Google Voice app on your iPod or iPad and then select which of your phones you want to ring. Google Voice will call your phone and then connect your call.
While we were at it, we also made a few other improvements to the app:
- When you enable Push Notifications, we will automatically disable Text forwarding for you, so you won’t receive multiple notifications.
- Want some quiet time? You can send all callers straight to voicemail by turning on Do not disturb in the Settings tab.
- We made it easier for you to place calls from the address book by adding a dedicated Contacts button to the Dialer tab.
- Sending text messages is now more streamlined since you don’t need to press the OK button anymore.
The Google Voice app is available to download from the Apple App Store today. You’ll need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch with iOS 3.1 or later and a valid Google Voice account to use the app. At this time, Google Voice is available in the U.S. only.
Any estimates when we Europeans will be able to enjoy Google Voice?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the iPad support, but could you please make it into a universal binary? That'd be better.
ReplyDeleteApps like Talkatone and Viber allow iPod touch and iPad users to make calls by using the Google Talk API...
ReplyDeleteThere's no reason Google can't implement this feature better -- it would be trivial. Some people can't afford a cellular contract, but have access to Wifi. Why are you removing this clearly beneficial functionality?
Para cuando Google Voice fuera de U.S.?
ReplyDeleteThe iPad/iPod support is awesome, but still need two essential improvements:
ReplyDeleteFirst: can you guys make it to support the iPad screen resolution?
Second: using it from the Safari browser, it lets me to make calls using my Gizmo5 account (Google voice calls my Gizmo5 and connects my call); however, when I use click2call in the app, it only shows the option to make the call with one of my phone numbers.
Please, Goolge... Give us the Gizmo5 support within the app too! That would make the Google voice app a killer!
I'm on an iPod Touch 4G. Currently, I use GV Mobile+ for texting (with Notifo push notifications - though now I can replace it) and Talkatone to make calls using Google Talk/Voice VoIP services. The reason I'm staying with GV Mobile+ is because it's just prettier. So, what I need from Google:
ReplyDelete1. Add VoIP support to the GV app.
2. Make it shinier/prettier.
Google, please complete the experience and allow Google Voice to make phone calls by handing off to another SIP account on the same device (or better yet, enable VOIP in the app? :) We're eagerly awaiting the moment where we can use GV as a phone, yes?
ReplyDeleteDidn't the first version have click to call what's so new about that in this version for iPod touch
ReplyDeleteGreat. But would also like to see support for VoIP calls using Wi-Fi.
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ReplyDeletePlease make app universal.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't I make calls directly from the Google Voice mobile app on my iPod Touch? I can do that with Skype with my headphones/mic plugged in. Seems like an obvious thing to do - I can't imagine Google letting Skype outdo them for long.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about landscape mode when texting? SO much easier to type that way. TextFree has landscape mode while texting . . .
Those 2 improvements would catch the Google Voice app up with everybody else!!