I've got a question about to how to set up my google voice (configuration) with my upcoming andriod phone. I'm an Iphone user moving into andriod (I've snagged an LG nexus 4 and will be using that in the near future). My current setup (I am out of my 2 year contract) is that I have a monthly minutes and data plan. I do not have a texting plan. I mostly use my google voice number to text over data/wifi. The problem with this of course is that this requires giving people two numbers and most people only have my old original cell phone number and they'll need to remember which number to text (a remarkably hard task,even in this modern age of technology and mobile internet because people are still content to pay for texting plans) .
I plan to port my cell phone number (because I'm out of contract) into my google voice. I will also open a new line with my carrier (to maintain my cell phone service). I will not giving out the number to my new line to anybody. This allows me to manage all calls (screen, block, etc directly from google voice which I really enjoy) and I will not have to notify my contacts that I've changed my number. I would like to keep my original google voice number as well. As I see it, I have 2 options. 1) Port my cell phone number into my current google voice account (effectively having 2 numbers in 1 google account - this costs 20 dollars to port and 20 dollars to keep the original GV number - 40 dollars total) 2) Port my number into another google account, leaving me to use 2 google acounts, and use 2 different google voice applications for texting (only 20 dollars for 1 port). This would also force me to set my (new cellular) number (new line which I've opened because my old line will be ported) as a work or home number - because google does not allow you to link your mobile number to two different voice accounts.
This chart was tremendously helpful in helping me figure out that the native andriod texting application is not "fully integrated" with google voice. It more or less functions much like the default Iphone's messaging app (not what I expected). http://i.stack.imgur.com/zW9Os.png
Therefore my questions are 1) How well does andriod's native phone integrate with google voice? The first question might answer the rest: 2) Will I be able to use the default phone application to manage all my numbers (dialing, voicemail etc). Or will I possibly need to use multiple applications. 3) Will I be able to use visual voicemail from the default app? ) 4) Will I be able to use my phone to place an outgoing call from my google voice number using hands-free (bluetooth, etc) 5) Are there any other better viable alternatives?
Sorry if this is a bit wordy and messy. Thanks for your help.
