Google Voice is a service from Google that has received quite a bit of press this year. First, they finally re-opened it up to invites and new registrations, and then there was quite a furor over applications for various mobile platforms not getting approved. Unfortunately, none of those platforms was Symbian, which meant that we Symbian users were stuck using various workarounds to get our Google Voice on. Fortunately, that’s starting to change.
Today we have an exclusive preview of GoogleVoiceForS60, a free application from BDC Software that allows Symbian users to use their Google Voice account directly through an app on the phone. Currently, GoogleVoiceForS60 offers limited functionality, but it works, and the developer is actively looking for testers who can help shape the application into something phenomenal.
When you first start GoogleVoiceForS60, you’re told to open Options and enter your Google Voice details, as well as the number of the phone that you’re currently using the application on. Once that information is saved, you are presented with a list of your contacts, downloaded from Google Voice. There is also a tab that shows your recently dialed numbers, in case you’d rather use that.
GoogleVoiceForS60 can be used for both voice calls and SMS, and you can choose a contact from the list, or you can manually enter a phone number to dial/message. Simply highlight the appropriate number in your contacts/dialed list, then press options. If you want to manually enter a number, then simply press options, as well. You’ll be presented with the choice for voice call or SMS, and from there you can either use the currently highlighted contact or enter in another number.
For phone calls, the call is initiated over the regular cellular network (meaning it *will* use your minutes). Just like a call initiated through the Google Voice website, the service will call you back on your handset, and then when you answer, it will begin calling the number you chose. All of the normal Google Voice options are available in the call, as well.
For SMS, it is much easier. Simply choose the number you wish to message, and then enter your message. The message is sent through your Google Voice phone number to the recipient, just as if you’d sent it through the website.
GoogleVoiceForS60 is currently written in Python, which means you’ll need to have the latest version of Python installed on the same storage that you install the application on. This can be either your phone’s internal storage or a memory card, as long as it is the same for both applications. Here are the files you’ll need to download and install:
- Download and install PIPS components
- Download and install the PyS60 1.9.7 runtime
- Download and install GoogleVoiceForS60_0_7_3.sis
I was able to use GoogleVoiceForS60 on my 5800 XpressMusic with no problems, and it should work just fine on other Symbian-powered smartphones, as well. If you decide to test this, you can submit any bugs/feedback/feature requests directly to BDC Software at gvfeedback@bdcsoftware.com.
Currently, there is no option to manage your account beyond initiating phone calls and SMS, but you can use the mobile site to manage your account a bit better. What features would you like to see in future versions of GoogleVoiceForS60?
If you’re developing a cool app for Symbian-powered phones, and would like help testing it or getting the word out, please use the Contact Form to get in touch with us – we’d love to check it out and help you get more users!
