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Google Voice goes US only

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Google Voice goes US only

#31

Post by thfuran »

dougmwne wrote: post #11

Been on Google Voice as my primary number for about 7 years. Mostly smooth sailing. I spend a few months a year out of the US and it makes it seamless. I also switched between cell carriers as I find deals or need different service and have never bothered with the number porting. Guess it’s time to think about a new place to get a US number that works internationally for 2-factor sms. Any suggestions?

I ported my Google voice number to voip.ms a few years ago. It has worked well except for the very occasional system that refuses to attempt to send my number SMS on account of believing it to be a landline. I think that may have just been one time. A few months ago, I dropped my cell plan and switched to a data-only plan from Ubigi. It's dirt cheap even for a US+EU data plan, as long as you don't need a ton of data. In the us, it uses T-Mobile's network I think, which is fine in my area but not the best in some areas of the country.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#32

Post by vlovich123 »

londons_explore wrote: post #17
1oooqooq wrote: post #2

I guess they really want the world to use whatsapp

whatsapp is just... better... Mobile networks have dropped the ball for years on functionality. (it's 2023 and most mobile networks still won't let me make a call or send texts from my laptop!). And across most of the world, mobile networks still charge $10/minute or more for group video calls... Forget about the fact video calls are impossible between some networks and others too. The UK's largest network, EE, says…

Completely different use case though. WhatsApp doesn’t give you a virtual phone number. Also, GV is immune to SIM hijacking which makes SMS 2F more secure when it’s the only 2F option offered (often the case for US banks). Since GV is your normal account you can secure it with passkeys/U2F/OTP to improve the effective security you get for 2F sms. It’s not perfect but it’s something. Additionally, this authentication is available when traveling just from an internet connection whereas SMS charges you roaming rates / you might be using a different provider while traveling.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#33

Post by jeffbee »

prepend wrote: post #26
ugjka wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Must be something Googlers themselves use?

This is what I imagine. People try to kill it, but there’s thousands of googlers using it and it’s harder to make it internal only than just to keep it running. So every time someone tries to kill the project some fancy pants google person kills the idea because it personally inconveniences them.

This logic doesn't make sense considering how many Googlers used Inbox and Plus and so forth. I imagine they don't kill it because their ads feature where you can click to call the advertiser uses the same infrastructure. It's the ultimate sales conversion tracker.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#34

Post by bunnyfoofoo »

1oooqooq wrote: post #23
bunnyfoofoo wrote: post #5

When you say validate, would giving another US persons phone number work? I use this while living abroad for my US banking. It’s only solution I’ve found.

Absolutely not if that "other person" also have a google account. This will associate the phone number permanently to your google account as well. And remove from the other account (and you cannot switch phones between accounts in the same 3month period... don't want know how I know this)

This is why relying on google for anything is shooting yourself in the face. Thanks for the information.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#35

Post by cj »

dougmwne wrote: post #11

Been on Google Voice as my primary number for about 7 years. Mostly smooth sailing. I spend a few months a year out of the US and it makes it seamless. I also switched between cell carriers as I find deals or need different service and have never bothered with the number porting. Guess it’s time to think about a new place to get a US number that works internationally for 2-factor sms. Any suggestions?

Verizon offers a web interface to send/receive SMS. I’m guessing other providers may have the same. (This is also useful for getting a 2fa code while on airplane WiFi)

Edit: Sadly Verizon is discontinuing it at the end of the year: https://www.verizon.com/support/verizon-messages-faqs/

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#36

Post by simtel20 »

jeffbee wrote: post #27

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

Fi has started to threaten that they will cancel your account if you are overseas for extended periods a month, maybe two or three. So far it seems to reset if you usage is low and you visit the US often enough, but if you want to take an extended trip, it may simply stop working at some point.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#37

Post by iamEAP »

devoutsalsa wrote: post #28

I've been using Google Voice while living outside the USA for 4+ years. I've never been able to make calls to the USA when using a foreign SIM. On my phone, I've only been using it for SMS, and I make the occasional call from the website.

I’m in the same situation. Calling and receiving calls worked for a year or so via the app, but at some point this year, it asked me to verify that my (former) US number was still valid (which I obviously couldn’t do). Probably what OP is referring to.

Guessing I’ll have to find another alternative soon.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#38

Post by 1oooqooq »

t1E9mE7JTRjf wrote: post #30
dougmwne wrote: post #11

Been on Google Voice as my primary number for about 7 years. Mostly smooth sailing. I spend a few months a year out of the US and it makes it seamless. I also switched between cell carriers as I find deals or need different service and have never bothered with the number porting. Guess it’s time to think about a new place to get a US number that works internationally for 2-factor sms. Any suggestions?

silent link. Cheap & easy Esim, so you can still use your existing sim - or as you travel, local sims.

doens't cover some big countries.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#39

Post by masto »

I think this title is misleading for a post about your personal experience, without a news article or an announcement. I don't really even understand what you're saying.

Re: Google Voice goes US only

#40

Post by [deleted] »

prepend wrote: post #4

What’s the replacement service for google voice? I like having a proxy number that I give out and route to my “real” number. So I have an unchanging number and don’t risk revealing my actual contact info. I also like getting texts through a web/app interface. Is there a similar nice, simple, and cheap voip service that I can just drop in? (When google inevitably kills their another awesomely useful service that doesn…

[deleted]
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