I've discussed Google Voice in a recent post. To provide a little context, basically a Google Hangouts plug-in is installed/integrated with Chrome (you can also use Firefox) and appears as a green icon in your tray:
Without going into gmail (assuming Internet connectivity), you can double-click on the Hangouts icon and it launches into a Hangouts conversation search screen. I find if I click on "new conversation", the result reveals a phone icon to the immediate right in the search bar. At that point, I can search on partial/full names or phone numbers in Google Contacts (or enter a new number); Mousing over the selection reveals phone and message links.Click on the relevant phone icon, and it will launch a relevant phone keypad popup.
I've occasionally run into issues with Hangouts dialing. In some cases, calling the number seems to hang; in other cases, I've accepted an incoming call, but we couldn't hear each other. I've found removing and reinstalling the Google Hangouts extension seemed to resolve my issue. (I've sometimes run into issues pulling information on certain contacts and found that I had to tweak missing Google Contact details, like missing name fields, so they can be searched.)
The functionality is, for most purposes, excellent; I occasionally run into annoying glitches like browser corruption issues or a disappearing Hangouts popup. But at other points I've missed the equivalent functionality of digital calling I had in my prior 2 residences: it's always on (assuming your Internet connection is live), and it's often easier just to dial a number than to go through a GV call setup. I just didn't think the Triple Play (cable, Internet, calling) cost was worth it in my latest move, since I don't do a lot of calls and the ones I do can usually be managed by my "unlimited" mobile package. As I described in an earlier post, this became an issue with some callers who disliked the quality of my mobile connection and frequent dropped calls. So Google Voice became my choice for a second, backup number. GV also has a nice feature of automatically messaging one's mobile phone with GV voicemail transcripts (and typically I can launch a return call from a voice number hyperlink).
CNET recently promoted a newegg featured buy on the OBi200; OBi200 is integrated with GV in a default setup. Recall that when you start up Google Voice service, you select a number in an eligible pool from a chosen area code. Three basic lines connect the device: cable to a network port on the back of your Internet router, phone line connection with your phone (I have a $20 corded speakerphone I bought at WalMart), and the unit power supply. You then set up an account at obihai.com and go through the documented process of configuring the device and integrating with Google Voice. (Note that GV does not provide 911 service, but there are workarounds.) You can also integrate other (non-Google) voice services.
The outgoing call feature worked like a charm: I click on my speakerphone button, and I got a welcome dial tone. However, the incoming calls didn't seem to ring my speakerphone (I tested with my cellphone). I did get one external caller on the speakerphone, but most I fielded through Google Hangouts. Other people seemed to have a similar problem, but I didn't see a resolution. I emailed obihai support.
In the phone configuration for Google Voice, there is a setup for Google Chat. It turns out you can delete this (there are buttons to edit and delete just below Google Chat), and GV will automatically regenerate the Chat setup. This seemed to clear up my issue with incoming calls.
