There’s no official Google Voice application for Windows Phone, but there’s a third party application that works really well. It’s called MetroTalk. Support for the application ends in May, 2014, but the good news is that the app will remain available and fully functional until then. Call us surprised when an update for MetroTalk has just appeared at the Windows Phone Store. It brings a couple of bug fixes and an update to offline calling.
What’s new in MetroTalk version 3.4.3:
- Update: PIN is now optional for offline calling
- Bug fix: Offline calling functionality has been updated to include recent changes introduced by Google Voice
- Bug fix: The "send text" option is now working again
A recent change to the Google Voice service now requires the pound key (#) after entering the pin number. That has broken the offline dialing option on MetroTalk, so the recent update addresses that issue.
Since we usually have good network and Wi-Fi coverage, we rarely use Google Voice’s offline dialing method. It’s great for those with poor connection. The whole process sounds complicated, but MetroTalk and Google Voice takes care of everything for you. With offline calling method enabled, the app dials your Google Voice number first and then automatically executes all the required steps (key presses) for connecting you to your destination. It works without a data connection.
What is Google Voice? In short, it gives you one number for all your phones. When friends or family dial that number, you control which of your connected phones will ring - your office phone, landline, or multiple cell phones. There are more uses for the service. Learn all about it in this video.
MetroTalk has two versions of the application at the Windows Phone Store. You can download the free ad-supported version or the paid version without ads for $1.99.
If you depend on Google Voice, then MetroTalk is probably a very important app for you. How do you feel about the impending end to this application? Sound off in the comments!
