2009-03-26

Using Google Voice to Extend T-Mobile MyFaves

I switched to T-Mobile last fall when I switched to the G1, and have found their MyFaves feature really useful. For those of you who don't know about it, MyFaves are five phone numbers that you link to your account and get unlimited talk time to. This is GREAT. It turns out I talk to my two most frequently called numbers more than any of my other numbers combined. However, the 866 conference call number that I dial into for work is not allowed to be added as a MyFave. That's annoying. And it was more annoying after doing that a handful of times thinking the MyFave add went through (when it didn't) and getting the bill.

Enter Google Voice (formerly known as GrandCentral before being acquired). GrandCentral started out as a service that gave you a free phone number that you could link to your different physical phones. When your GrandCentral number rings, it rings all of your linked devices and you can pick up the one that's most convenient. For example, if you're at work and you don't want to pay for airtime minutes, you can pick up on your work phone. Neat. I signed up for this service when they launched and forgot about it until recently, with all the hub-bub about Google Voice.

Google Voice adds a lot of cool things that I will probably start using eventually. But let me get to the meat of it. Add your Google Voice number as a MyFave through T-Mobile. Then, from the web interface, you can supply it with a phone number and have it connect the call. When your cell phone rings, it's from your Google Voice number -- and since that's a MyFave, you get unlimited free talk time. Using Google Voice, you can turn your five MyFaves into unlimited MyFaves and never again have to pay extra minutes.

7 comments:

Randall said...

Or, you could just get the unlimited t-mobile plan.

I think its better for Verizon customers.

Scott Edward Jacobs said...

You, as I have always known, = genius.

Unknown said...

You don't need the web interface. Call your google voice number from your mobile phone. Depending on how you've set it up, you will either be put directly into your voicemail, or your other phones will ring. If they ring, press "*" to get into your voicemail.

Once you're in your voicemail, press 2 and you'll get the option to dial out. Enter the full number (1-555-555-5555) followed by the "#" key. Google will then connect your call.

timotheeboucher said...

Nice trick!
I'm surprised T-Mobile charges you for the 866 number.

It reminds me of something I have been thinking about doing with Skype, where I would send myself an email that would get picked up by my computer which would start a 3-way conference (my phone, the computer, the phone I want to reach) with Skype. Of course, that would be mostly useful for international calls.

I never got to do it though...

Unknown said...

yeah, but why pay more money for the unlimited plan when you can call unlimited for the minimal plan?

Jess said...

I was wondering if you have not gotten into any trouble doing that? I got a new mytouch today well yesterday as its past midnight and love it! Would like to add my new GV number to my myfaves as well but don't want to get into any trouble as its a family plan I am on and don't want to mess everyones phone up.

Unknown said...

Wondering...my GV dials an outgoing number with a different area code, assuming that's the "access number" would I have to add that one to my circle too?