Google Android device owners who have accounts from both Google Voice and Gizmo5.com may be able to make and receive phone calls even if they don’t have a SIM card in their device. An experimental app named GUAVA, which stands for GoogleVoice Unauthorized Android Voice Application, links Google Voice and Gizmo5 accounts, allowing consumers to make calls without using their network minutes or even a SIM card.
I’ve heard of Android users adding their GV number to T-Mobile myFaves for more free calls, but this is one of the first solutions I’ve found for non-myFaves subscribers. In fact, GUAVA bypasses carriers altogether by connecting to Wi-Fi networks and delivering contract-free communication to:
- Cell phones and landlines
- SMS messages
- Skype users
- GoogleTalk users
NOTE: I was able to receive several free calls and SMS messages while testing the app; however, outgoing calls require purchasing call-out credits from Gizmo5.
The GUAVA/Google Voice link may prove useful to travelers or people who cannot find access to their network. I have visited friends and family members in areas where T-Mobile connections were not present whatsoever. This may come in handy if I find myself in a similar situation and have an Internet connection available.
Download GUAVA for Android from Gizmo5 and follow this tutorial to get it running. PLEASE BE ADVISED that you must give GUAVA your Google credentials.
GUAVA SET-UP TUTORIAL
1. Sign-up for a Gizmo5.com account. Once you have completed the registration process, log-in to the members section and copy your Gizmo5 number, which should start with 747.
2. Log-in to your Google Voice page. Press “Settings” > “Phones”
3. Click the “Add another phone” link and enter your Gizmo5 number. Select “Gizmo” as number type and validate the new line
4. Download GUAVA from Gizmo5 and copy it onto your microSD card.
5. Use Astro or a file explorer to install guava.apk
6. Open GUAVA and enter all of the appropriate account information.
7. Turn on Wi-Fi and connect to a network
Once the yellow dot in your notification bar turns green, you should be ready to go.
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July 24th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
This is what Google Voice and Android should be about. Never paying for phone calls ever again.
Sure, you have to pay for outgoing calls, but this means you can phone the world at local call rates since you are only paying for the "last mile". And most importantly, if this is quickly adopted by everyone, then nobody needs to pay for that last mile ever again.
Also, this needs to work on the 3G data connection, doesn't it work like that yet? There should be no reason that carriers would block VOIP, unless they are careful in their packet shaping technologies to block any data packets they detect to be VOIP usage.
July 24th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Okay, hear me out on this… in theory, using this app and all the instructions above, it may be possible to get free calls even if you are 'calling out'. All you need to do is access your GV account from a PC, place a call, and GV calls your Android phone. Technically thats an incoming call, right? And, if you can use Wi-Fi to access the GV site from your Android phone… FREE CALLS FOR EVERYONE!!!
I need to try this out for my self. Seems too good to be true.
July 26th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
why not just wait for a UMA app for android?
i got t-moble hotspot@home and it works great with my samsung katalyst.
all of this linkback call services are doomed once the first android UMA phone his the street.
July 26th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Edit: Adam, I tried your way and it didn't work too well for me. The connection went through but call quality on the receiving end didn't work. No one could hear what I was saying and words were muffled or cut outt.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Hi, first time caller, long time listener.
I did the Gizmo5 + Guava + Google Voice. Everything seems to be working fine. However, the having to re-up minutes using Gizmo seems silly now (i've used my free 3 minutes) and now I feel like I'm back to square one. I used the My faves option, and that works good and fine (except I can't remember a phone number to save my life, so importing contacts seems like the next step for GV).
At any rate, I'm asking if anyone knows an alternative to the GUAVA/Gizmo5 stuffs? Ther has to be a better way….
Thanks
August 26th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Joe.. for free calls over wifi I get a cheap call in number through gizmo that I renew after 3 months. Then use the GV app (not google voice app) and set calling method to "call back". Guava doesn't even need your google voice info. On the official google voice interface add your gizmo number then confirm it. You should be able to make "free" calls for the 3 months you have that gizmo call in number.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
True, but the idiots at TMO corporate who came over from General Motors, don't understand that they have the only UMA service available. I only singed with TMO because of it and they don't have it on the G1. I can't imagine how many new customers they could pick up if they offered it on all their phones. I also believe they would have less tower usage making it better for all TMO customers. Idiots. I'm going to Sprint once they get their Android.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Actually… the reason to combine your GV and Gizmo5 accounts is to have unlimited free calling in North America. **You do not have to pay for Gizmo5 call out if you are using it correctly with Google Voice** Gizmo5 offers unlimited call in, and with GV, that's all you need. When you use GV to make a call on an Android phone, you use your data connection to tell GV to call your phone, and then connect you to a certain phone number. So, if GV calls your Gizmo5 number, that's a free call, and then it will connect you (for free) to the number you want to call. So… in theory, you can have unlimited free incoming and outgoing North American calls by using GUAVA (which simply automates the integration of your GV and Gizmo5 accounts).
The problem (at least, in my experience), is that the call quality is terrible. I was psyched when I first got my myTouch 3G Android phone because I thought I could make all of my calls over VoIP and only pay $30/month for a data connection and drop my voice plan altogether. I have been unable to do this so far simply because GUAVA call quality is so bad it cannot replace my voice plan. I still use the GV app for unlimited free texting though!
****If you are on a fast Wi-Fi connection, the call quality seems to improve slightly
November 15th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Well what now? Google froze Gizmo with it's purchae of Gizmo Friday, 11-12-09???
January 26th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
"Well what now? Google froze Gizmo with it's purchae of Gizmo Friday, 11-12-09??? "
@ Jay, Sipgate is great, basically the same deal, free incoming, etc… as well you have a handful of sip providers that will accomplish the same thing…