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Google Voice Turning Off Obihai and Other External Services

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Google Voice works great as a free or extremely low-cost VOIP solution, and many use it as their primary telephone service thanks to devices like the one from OBihai Technology that we reviewed a while back. Google set a date when they will turn off XMPP service. XMPP service makes it possible for some apps and other services to connect to Google Voice without using the company’s website interface. Because of this, convenient devices like the OBi202, a cool product that lets users connect a traditional phone to the Internet and send or receive calls using Google Voice, will not work with Google Voice after the cut off date. OBi202

With the OBi202, we forwarded our home line to a Google Voice phone number. When grandma called, we got a call on the DECT 6.0 wireless phones in our house. The call quality compared well to a land line and helped us save some money on local phone service. Sadly, Google will turn this off on May 15, 2014. That gives users plenty of time to switch to another service which does work with OBi202 and OBihai’s service. google voice logo We suggest that users find an alternative soon so they don’t lose service. Adding a line to a bundled Internet and Cable TV service might keep users from paying more than they do now for just TV and Internet. OBihai offers a list of alternatives that work with their device. If cost savings isn’t the concern, then forward a Google Voice number to a mobile phone with Bluetooth and connect it to the Obi202 device, which will ring the traditional home phones connected to it when a call comes through the cell phone. Enthusiasts may want to consider this solution, since it gives us a reason to carry another great handset. A cheaper alternative is to get a low-cost VOIP service. A friend uses Magic Jack and loves it.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. tallie

    11/10/2013 at 1:10 pm

    my roomate’s aunt makes $66 every hour on the computer. She has been without work for ten months but last month her pay check was $16306 just working on the computer for a few hours. helpful site………. https://yect.com/uh

  2. rz patel

    11/11/2013 at 4:36 am

    The GVMate Phone Adapter and GVJackApp for magicJack don’t use XMPP signalling and will continue to work.

    Have my GVMate Phone Adapter plugged into an old unused Windows XP laptop. Very happy with the built in caller name display and talking caller id features. Signed up for the E911 service option for $12 a year.

    See https://www.pcphonesoft.com/gvjackapp-unaffected-by-xmpp-retirement-may-2014.html .

  3. Pepe

    11/15/2013 at 4:07 pm

    Get a free NY number from Callcentric, and have your GV number redirected to tha number.

    • Jaime

      12/06/2013 at 7:11 am

      I started to sign up for the free NY # from Callcentric, but there is a $1.50/mo 911 fee. I am using IPKall with Callcentric now.

  4. rapidwiz

    01/24/2014 at 5:06 pm

    Only if you say you live in the US or Canada Jaime. Put a foreign address and they won’t charge you the 911 fee.

  5. RogB

    02/20/2014 at 7:56 pm

    Good tip on call centric number. But that’s free only for incoming right. What about outbound calls?

  6. 02infinite

    05/13/2014 at 3:17 pm

    You can replace your existing phone number with a FreeDID from IPComms and continue receiving free inbound calls via your OBi device. You can even add our low 1¢/min domestic outbound service (TalkinIP) and enjoy quality USA & Canada outbound calling. Visit https://www.ipcomms.net for more information

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