[ANewUser]

- Google Voice sideloaded and working on there (anyone from Calgary??)

[jesse_h]

Good luck with that.

[MattUK]

Not sure I want google apps on this phone.. evil spying google

[ANewUser]

BB needs to make a deal with Google to get some app consistency. If Google shuts them out, BB is in real trouble.

[M.Rizk]

BB needs to make a deal with Google to get some app consistency. If Google shuts them out, BB is in real trouble.

Not really, I've seen many third party apps for Google Voice on iOS which means a developer can easily develop a third party app for it.

[jackdunhill]

I had google voice sideloaded on my playbook with no problems

Edit-not sure how voice calls would be handled

[ANewUser]

I had google voice sideloaded on my playbook with no problems

Edit-not sure how voice calls would be handled

As soon as I see video of Google Voice on Z10, I will buy it.

[xweb10]

I concur. I use it as my voicemail provider. It is basically a free visual voicemail.

[ANewUser]

Not really, I've seen many third party apps for Google Voice on iOS which means a developer can easily develop a third party app for it.

But some measure of stability is needed. Can't be at the whim of Google.

[ANewUser]

I concur. I use it as my voicemail provider. It is basically a free visual voicemail.

Exactly, ditto. Google voice works fine on BB 5, 6, 7. Are you thinking of going to BB10 if I may ask?

[ANewUser]

Even thinking of defecting to android if no Google Voice compatibility on BB10. Very concerned about keyboard and auto text substitution though

[xweb10]

Exactly, ditto. Google voice works fine on BB 5, 6, 7. Are you thinking of going to BB10 if I may ask?

I'm thinking about it. I am a former Storm 2 and curve user so I would be going back to BB. I am asking a ton of questions on the forums here and my main concerns are:

1. Battery life
2. Google services integration (mainly Voice). Better yet, if BB gets a visual voicemail ala Apple, I am more than fine with that.
3. Dev support. I just do not see it yet but the platform is young.
4. WIFI Hotspot that circumvents carriers
4. Battery life, again.

My Galaxy Nexus is known to have horrible battery life and I use the 2000+ mah extended battery. It usually lasts me through an office day (wifi) and I have 4 email accounts syncing. If I am out and about, Im lucky to get 6-7 hours. I want to improve upon this #.

[austriker]

I agree.

I use google voice as a universal number so my contacts dont need my latest 'carrier number'. Also I can text from my computer browser (which I first thought would be lame but now I love it).

Someone please bring it on over to the z10. Also hows the browser version look? Im using the 9000 and in browser its not great; but granted the 9000's browser is dinosaur old.

[ANewUser]

I'm thinking about it. I am a former Storm 2 and curve user so I would be going back to BB. I am asking a ton of questions on the forums here and my main concerns are:

1. Battery life
2. Google services integration (mainly Voice). Better yet, if BB gets a visual voicemail ala Apple, I am more than fine with that.
3. Dev support. I just do not see it yet but the platform is young.
4. WIFI Hotspot that circumvents carriers
4. Battery life, again.

My Galaxy Nexus is known to have horrible battery life and I use the 2000+ mah extended battery. It usually lasts me through an office day (wifi) and I have 4 email accounts syncing. If I am out and about, Im lucky to get 6-7 hours. I want to improve upon this #.

Unfortunately battery life doesn't look good, but there will be a good 3rd party app soon i'm sure.
Can I ask, other than battery life are there further Android issues that make you want to go back to BB? I've never used Android and I'm scared of bad keyboards and general instability but I'd have to go Android if Google Apps dont come to BB.

[ANewUser]

I agree.

I use google voice as a universal number so my contacts dont need my latest 'carrier number'. Also I can text from my computer browser (which I first thought would be lame but now I love it).

Someone please bring it on over to the z10. Also hows the browser version look? Im using the 9000 and in browser its not great; but granted the 9000's browser is dinosaur old.

Ditto!

Cmon BB, GVoice worked in BB5, 6, 7 - why not 10?
Browser is a workaround but then no calls .....
Someone (in Calgary?) show us Google Voice on Z10 please?!

[xweb10]

Can I ask, other than battery life are there further Android issues that make you want to go back to BB? I've never used Android and I'm scared of bad keyboards and general instability but I'd have to go Android if Google Apps dont come to BB.

Android is a good OS. The fact that it is supremely customizable and has a thriving ROM development community are the best parts. However, I believe that is the downfall of it. It is my feeling that many apps and ROMS are not written well and degrade the system over time, but I guess that can be the case with all ecosystems. One thing about my Nexus that drives me batty is that is does seem to slow down after a day or so of use and needs a good reboot. Also, babysitting the battery is cumbersome. IE: Make sure BT is not running if not necessary, watch the brightness, turn off NFC, etc.

If Blackberry can give me some Android + security and stability I'm in! Plus, I mainly use my phone for email and messaging and it seems to be the sweet spot of BB10.

[ANewUser]

Android is a good OS. The fact that it is supremely customizable and has a thriving ROM development community are the best parts. However, I believe that is the downfall of it. It is my feeling that many apps and ROMS are not written well and degrade the system over time, but I guess that can be the case with all ecosystems. One thing about my Nexus that drives me batty is that is does seem to slow down after a day or so of use and needs a good reboot. Also, babysitting the battery is cumbersome. IE: Make sure BT is not running if not necessary, watch the brightness, turn off NFC, etc.

If Blackberry can give me some Android + security and stability I'm in! Plus, I mainly use my phone for email and messaging and it seems to be the sweet spot of BB10.

Sounds reasonable. I'm right on the fence between the 2 as well. My BB 9900 is killer for messaging but need bigger screen, more power.
Android seems very fragmented and unstable.
Heres hoping for Google apps on BB!!

[nsane1]

I couldn't agree more. There a few apps that are must have's for me, so it's either BB10 or android, and Gvoice is one of them. Others seem to have been sideloaded (american airlines, which I also doubt will come native). Also would like to see citibank... Anyway, the more i think of it, the harder it will be to stay.

Freakin shame, have done blackerry's for 10 years now (since the demise of palm).

[omega supreme]

I guess i'm a little behind the times but i had google voice for about a year and i never used it because i didn't see the point and they expired my number. People say you can text from a pc but yahoo and msn have had that feature for yrs. From reading through this thread it appears there is an app for it but what is the benefit of having it?... Personally, if i could send and receive faxes through it i would go back to it since that is the only thing tying me to a landline with a monthly bill.

[xweb10]

I guess i'm a little behind the times but i had google voice for about a year and i never used it because i didn't see the point and they expired my number. People say you can text from a pc but yahoo and msn have had that feature for yrs. From reading through this thread it appears there is an app for it but what is the benefit of having it?... Personally, if i could send and receive faxes through it i would go back to it since that is the only thing tying me to a landline with a monthly bill.

Omega - To me, there are 2 main uses for Google voice.

1. It gives you a single phone number for all your phones. If someone calls you, it can follow you to your cell phone, home, office, etc. You set the rules. You can port your current cell phone # to it.

2. (My use for it) Voicemail - If you don't want Google Voice to manage your calls and phones, you can set Google Voice to just be you voice mail handler. If someone calls my cell phone, Google voice answers if I do not and callers leave a message. I can then get the message on my phone though an app or on my PC. This is kind of a visual voicemail solution. The message is also transcribed, which is a cool option that never works right. I can also set specific voicemail recording for specific callers.

Read more here.

[ANewUser]

Google Voice is a major timesaver.
Any android users have any advice for a 10-yrs BB guy if I defect to Android? I assume Galaxy S4 or Note 2 would be the way to go (removable battery), but for example is there a decent Android Keyboard? Text Expansion? A way to read email on device but leave on server (POP I guess?) Those 3 are my major worries when considering Android....

[omega supreme]

Omega - To me, there are 2 main uses for Google voice.

1. It gives you a single phone number for all your phones. If someone calls you, it can follow you to your cell phone, home, office, etc. You set the rules. You can port your current cell phone # to it.

2. (My use for it) Voicemail - If you don't want Google Voice to manage your calls and phones, you can set Google Voice to just be you voice mail handler. If someone calls my cell phone, Google voice answers if I do not and callers leave a message. I can then get the message on my phone though an app or on my PC. This is kind of a visual voicemail solution. The message is also transcribed, which is a cool option that never works right. I can also set specific voicemail recording for specific callers.

Read more here.

Well the visual voicemail part i already have on my 9700 (although lately it's not as consistent) , and i believe transcribing your messages can be done with the z10 (i think).. I read that making international calls is cheaper with it as well, and i would prefer to give out that number for business purposes than my cell number but i would like to have a fax option which is the only thing tying me to my landline...if they implement that then i would welcome it with open arms.

[PunPryde]

I will as soon as I see Skype, Netflix and Whatsapp.

[jdhooghe]

Netflix and WhatsApp are on WP8 so expect it on BB10.
Dont expect Google Voice to be on BB10 officially but a G Voice client can be created natively
Skype...well, its still in a preview mode for WP8 so don't expect it soon

[austriker]

Another huge win for google voice is the ability to block certain numbers. Then when those numbers call it gives them a message saying the line has been disconnected. Win! I no longer hesitate to put my phone places I wouldn't have before because of this feature. Its great