Let's get this right the first time, shall we? : )
Several options that are offered so far seem to indicate a third-party app will be doing the dialing. However, dependent upon your geographic location, you may be able to activate the native dialer in the Google Nexus S.
Before proceeding, you will need to:
1) Be based in the United States (there are ways around this...!), and;
2) Have a phone number registered for use within the United States (required).
3) Grab a BEvERage of choice.
4) Not be busy for the next 45 minutes. Tell everyone to PFO (please fone others).
5) Remove your SIM-card from your Google Nexus S.
Let's begin!
I: GET GOOGLE VOICE VIA WEB SIGN-UP
1) Get a Google Voice account. When going through the setup portion, you need to confirm a secondary number with the account. Use your phone number that you have with your $20/mo phone.
2) Grab an area code that you like (as GVoice calls currently are free throughout USA & Canada, but this may change).
3) GOTO Settings, and enable Google Chat as a client that can make and receive phone calls.
What if I have a US-based cellphone, but I'm in country other than USA?
Use a proxy or TOR-based service, cloak your exit location with a US-based proxy, and sign-up for the service. BTW, your welcome.
II: GET GOOGLE VOICE VIA ANDROID MARKET
1) Find "Google Voice" in the Android Market. Alternatively, you can also find the *.apk with a quick Google search if you can't access the installer via the market.
2) Install "Google Voice."
3) When asked about how you want Google Voice to process calls, select "As every time I make a call." You can use other options, but just stick with this.
III: GET SIPDROID (I-P-TEL GMBH) VIA ANDROID MARKET
1) Find and install Sipdroid via Android Market.
2) Open the program. Upon first run, you will see the magical button at the bottom of your screen, which may be covered by a keyboard. Get rid of the keyboard by pressing the back button or hide keyboard button.
3) Tap the "New PBX linked to my Google Voice" button.
At this point, you will be linking a free SIP account with your Google Voice account. Also, as passwords must be the same between accounts, the following situation happens:
You're based in the United States
The pbxes.org servers are in Germany (?), and will ask permission to use your credentials to login to your Google accout via their servers
This causes Google to think someone has hacked your account in Germany. If you get this, do not worry.
4) Get details for your SIPdroid account credentials.
Username: it will be user[email protected]. (The "-200" comes right after your username)
Password: whatever password you used to register for the service. (BTW, my pw is hunter2, but you should see stars. HAHAHA.)
5) Uninstall SIPdroid
IV: CONFIRM ACCOUNT VIA pbxes.org
1) Login to pbxes.org with your credentials (from section III, step 4).
2) After login, go to "Personal Data" (on the left-hand side). If you don't want your account deleted in 1 week, fill this out. Fill out with your details, or use dummy data if you wish. I'm sure Alice, Bob, John and Jane Doe have multiple accounts... : )
3) GOTO Extensions, then Sipdroid <200>. In Device Options, you will see a password field. The password HERE has to match your Google Voice account. That way, pbxes can login to Google Voice. You can also set up your caller ID here, so go crazy.
4) Optional, but strongly suggested: make sure that the password to login to the web interface of pbxes.org is different from the one to your Google Voice account.
V: PUTTING THE SIP SERVICE ON YOUR NEXUS S
This is where it get's serious. Actually, it's pretty easy.
1) Go to your phone dialer.
2) Tap the menu button to get Settings.
3) Scroll down to INTERNET CALL SETTINGS, and tap Accounts.
4) Check Receive incoming calls. Yeah, you can be a jerk and only use your phone to call out, but what about the people who want to phone you? Just check it. Unless you don't want anyone calling you. And if that's the case, why are you even following this guide?
5) Tap the menu button and tap Add account.
Username and Password is what was listed in section III, step 4.
Server is pbxes.org
Check Set as primary account
Tap Optional settings. At this point, check to make sure Transport type is TCP, and that your Port number is 5060. You can probably use another port, but it seems to work. Oh wait, port 5060 is the official SIP port. Go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_TCP_and_UDP_port_numbers
and search 5060. SO YOU USE 5060, AND LIFE WILL BE GOOD. Don't be smart and say "I'll use port--" NO! This is not a storm, you are not a sailor going to another port. You will use 5060, and you will be happy with the choice. Alternatively, port `5061' is SIP over TLS, but I've never used that and I am not sure if it would work.
6) SAVE the account.
VI: TESTING THE PHONE
If you've gotten this far without errors or crying, then try calling a number.
1) Dial your number. From now on, dial with the following format:
1 - areacode - XXX - YYYY
That way, you don't have to worry about whether or not it's a local call or long-distance call.
At this point, a nifty popup will show. It will state Complete action using. Select Mobile Data, and tap Just once. That way, you can make it permanent after it works properly.
2) Now you get something that pops up saying [warning triangle] Place call. You will tap 'Internet call', as you (i) don't have a SIM card in Nexus S.
At this point, it will dial the number. When connected, there will be a bit of an echo. Why? Well, your call is probably routed the following way:
Nexus S >> Yankee-land (via Google Voice)
Yankee-land (via Google Voice) >> Deutsch-land (via pbxes.org, via internet)
Deutsch-land (via pbxes.org) >> Yankee-land (internet-phone bridge, not sure if it's the right word...)
Yankee-land (internet-phone bridge) >> Person that you are calling
It sound like there's a delay and echo
Yeah, because you're voice is going half-way around the world. Always pause to let the other person finish. Do this on your side by waiting 2 seconds before and after any speech.
But I don't want delay
It's free for North America (US+CAD). Icing on top? If you have a VPN based in either Canada or the United States, have your Android use that connection. That way, you can be in the UK, have a VPN connection to the US and phone someone in US or CAD.
Friend: "Where are you?"
You: "In whatever country via VPN connection"
Friend: "Aren't you paying a lot?"
You: "Yes. Can you wire me USD$100? I'm in central Australia right now, and the wifi from this wild dingo sucks."
Friend: "..."
You: "Yes, the dingo has wifi. It's got a coin slot in it's butth--"
Friend: "I've got to g--".
You: "OK, Bye."
Friend: "Bye."
THE END
