Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Hello,

Currently, I use my GV account through Gizmo SIP backend. Is there any known way to use Skype to use as outgoing call provider (with paid minutes)?

Thanks.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Yup. My app (qgvdial) can call out using skype. Links are in the sig.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

I can't seem to find it from app-manager with extra repos installed. deb file from google code gives dependency missing error. What is the recommended way of installing this app? I recall installing this before and asking you a similar question :)

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Once you've opened up access to the repositories, in xterm:
thenAfter this browse to the project's downloads section and download the deb. If you're using microb, then it will ask if you want to open it in the App Manager. Click yes, and it should install without errors.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Btw: Just so that you can try this out: The desktop version of qgvdial is also able to use desktop Skype to call out.

qgvdial can call out:
1. Using Skype on Linux, Windows and Maemo5
2. Using SIP on Linux and Maemo5
3. Using your phone provider on Maemo5

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Just root suffices for me. I have had to install 3 more packages to fullfill installation requirements. Sorry cant tell exact package names, terminal was closed mistakenly.

Anyways, I get qgvdial up. Now the question how to select Skype as backend. That would be great if this were to be integrated into the conversation widget. I like having all different call options listed on one place.

Non Maemo5 versions are good for those who doesnt have N900 yet :)

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Main menu -> Settings: has a combobox where you can select skype dial out. The entry is called "spirit" because thats what the skype call manager is known as on the n900.

I know the UI is really shitty right now - I'm aesthetically challenged.
There is a newer UI in the works, but it is still "not good enough".

That would require me to write a connection manager (like TOR). As of this instant I have no plans for doing that.
Yes I know it sucks not to have it all in one place, but I have a workaround: Use fcrochiks MyContacts. That widget allows dialing out using qgvdial.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Currently, spirit (hard to guess it is for skype :)) it is spirit:undefined mode in my settings.

When I try to call a number it forwards me a xxxxxx0537 number, and then it pops up "Incorrect message". I could confirm it brings the skype screen showing my minutes.

In voice.google settings I forward my calls to Gizmo. I wonder if somethings need to be setup there?

I will try MyContacts, and see how it works...

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

MyContact is a bit different than the actual contacts app. I couldn't add a new contact throught MyContact window. For the Skype do you set it on call forwarding or call out # section?

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Just to confirm: When you use spirit, does the number that you see on the skype screen have an international prefix? It should be "+1aaabbbcccc".
If it isn't then skype won't be able to call it and that is a bug in qgvdial.

Your voice.google.com callback settings don't matter to qgvdial - qgvdial will use the callback you have set up in qgvdial.
qgvdial will look at the registered phone numbers in the google voice servers - so if you add a number to GV using the web interface, you'll need to logout and login back in qgvdial so that it picks up those settings.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

MyContacts is a convenience app for collecting my most frequently used contacts in one easy to use widget.
iirc, it depends on those contacts being present in the phone contacts list. I don't think it has the capability to add contacts.
Again - its not a replacement for the n900 contacts app - Its a nicer view of those same contacts.

For Skype: I have a Skype subscription and a Skype In number. I have added that Skype In number to GV. So for me, qgvdial shows me my Skype number as callback option _and_ also shows me spirit:undefined as a callout option. (The undefined part is because I haven't found a way to get the skype-in number for that skype account.)

After a lot of call testing I have come to the following conclusions: 1. Skype calls (callout or callback) on n900 have appalling voice quality.
2. Incoming Skype calls are _ALWAYS_ dropped. I have been able to receive an inbound Skype call so rarely that I have begun considering the possibility of taking off my Skype In number from GV.
3. Gizmo callbacks have astonishingly good voice quality. If I don't want to use my tmo minutes for dialing out, I always go for a Gizmo callback.
4. SIP call-out (the "sofia" option) has not worked for me. The GV female announcer tells me that this call could not be completed at this time. This may be Gizmo specific - I don't have another SIP account to test with.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

I have tried a couple different formats, +1-xxx-xxx-xxxx I get a robot lady telling me please try again from that 0537 number. Possibly a Google robot eh? Like you get on your 4th conclusion.

As you say skype is not good for both in and out calls, probably I won't insist further on setting it up. I was once thinking to get a Skype number but now you said the quality is bad.

Someone suggested me trying www.diamondcard.us That same person was saying the quality of calls varies on this one as well. However not tested personally, from their website it is much cheaper than Skype minutes.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Don't get me wrong, desktop skype has been so good that I love it.

On the n900 without overclocking and a decent wifi signal, skype is surprisingly bad when compared to SIP. People on the other end seemed to complain more when I use spirit.
However: This is only my experience. I am a developer and so my n900 has a ton of crap. It could very well be that I have something slowing spirit down.

In summary: Don't believe me unless you've tried it out yourself.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Are all these dependencies, and the app itself, optified? And for a clean uninstall what are the corresponding steps?

--denis

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Dependencies are QT, QTMobility and Telepathy, all of which are optified. qgvdial itself has been optified since its very first release - even before I figured out how to make a deb of it.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Hehe thanks for the friendly warnings :) I am a skeptical so usually have doubts in many things I do --even it comes from my own self :D

My N900 runs at 850. It really gallops comparing to the stock 600 Mhz. I have something itching inside to push it up to 950, just waiting to get it a bit colder outside.

Anyways, I have not made a successful call through the spirit option selected. I wonder what's wrong with it...

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

I don't remember installing dependencies beforehand to install qgvdial first when I did about two months ago. Has something fundamental changed or do I recall wrong?

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

Do you have a SkypeIn number? Have you set up skype to use that number for CallerID?
I haven't tested the use case of dialing out from a skype account that does not have a CallerID set. It is possible that Google Voice ensures that the number using the callout is one of the registered numbers in the account.

If you have a QT app like MyContacts installed, then most of the dependency requirements are satisfied. In the last 2 weeks I have also started using qt-script (to parse XML and JSon). I think that may be the reason for the dependency problem you faced.

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

No, SkypeIN number. Probably this must be the reason not letting me to make calls. Currently, Gizmo number is selected as my forwarding number.

So, qgvdial isn't listed in one of the extra repos, right?

Re: Google Voice with Skype backend
 

No, right now it isn't.
When I started this project the first thing I did was set up a garage account, but then I decided to host it on a more platform agnostic location to match the platform agnostic nature of the project.

Once I have a half-decent UI, I'll be setting up scripts to push qgvdial to extras.