[freefrancisco]

Google voice is the main reason why I refuse to use an iPhone even though I am a big fan of Apple and all my other products are Apple. I hate having a number that ties me to a phone company, Google Voice made it possible for me to have a number that is independent from the phone companies. Since it integrates well with Android I would not even consider switching to iPhone. If they kill Google Voice, I will be extremely disappointed and I might as well switch to iPhone. Without Google Voice, there is no killer Android feature to keep me there.

[sinkasapa]

I've been feeling like Google has become the thing I'm tied to. Unlike US carriers, where I could move my number from one service to another, I don't think I can do this with Google voice. I feel a little stuck now.

[magic_haze]

You can absolutely shift your number off of google by paying $10, but since the real value add of Voice is not in the number, but the associated services, there is not much point. Skype doesn't even come close. Is there any other for personal use?

[heliostatic]

I'm a voice user too, but I've been thinking about trying https://callingvault.com/

[arb99]

> I hate having a number that ties me to a phone company

Can't you just keep your number when changing phone companies?

[freefrancisco]

Yes but that requires extra work. With google voice all I need is get a sim card, and I am done, I don't even know or care to know what number is associated with that sim card, my number is my google voice. Also if someone is texting me and I'm in front of a computer I can reply from the chrome extension. Plus I can send anonymous callers to spam. I would hate to go back to the old style phone number!

[stfu]

It is especially great if you are moving around internationally. You don't have to keep track of some old stand-by contract or recharge a prepaid calling card but just can keep your number. I really hope they don't kill that thing.

[PonyGumbo]

I use the Google Voice app on my iPhone. Are there different features on Android?

[Navarr]

Yes. The Voice app on Android will automatically route outbound calls through Google Voice (dependent on your settings) and will add Google Voice voicemail into your visual voicemail queue in your phone's native dialer.