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ANDY MIN
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Articles Posted: 236; Links Seeded: 1882
Member Since: 4/2006Last Seen: 2/09/2010
Member Since: 4/2006Last Seen: 2/09/2010
35 Comments
PrintLand of the Freeware: Making and receiving free phone calls via any computer or internet-enabled device with GrandCentral
News Type: Event — Fri May 2, 2008 6:21 PM EDT
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Most of the time, I'm at my computer. Or near it. And if I had an internet device like a Nokia N810 or an iPod Touch, I'd have it with me 24/7. And since most of the time I'm at a place where there's a wifi network, it makes sense for me to use VoIP rather than a regular phone line. Now, you're probably ready to sit back and listen to a pitch for Skype's cheap $0.021/per minute or Gizmo's even cheaper $0.019/minute. If you're really tech-savvy, you might be expecting a pitch for iCall, which has free calling in the US and Canada and a free phone number. However, iCall is Windows-only and doesn't always work. That's not what I want. I'm talking about making and receiving calls that are completely free (that is, $0.00/minute) forever (that is, no 30 day demo) for as much as you want (that is, no 30 day trial or five hour/week limit). The key? Google's closed-beta GrandCentral.
What the heck is GrandCentral (and why haven't I heard of this feature before)?
When most people hear about GrandCentral, they don't think about free calling. Actually, since this feature is pretty hidden away, most people don't even know about this. Most people just use it for what it was originally made for: consolidating all of your phone numbers into one phone number. When someone calls that phone number, your mobile, landline, and your spouse's mobile will ring. For more, read David Pogue's review at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/15/technology/15pogue.html?ex=1331611200&en=4cf47d148f623c6d&ei=5088.
Right now, GrandCentral is in closed-beta. Additionally, I believe they have stopped letting users give out invites, so you have to sign up at the homepage and cross your fingers. For now, I'll assume that you have GrandCentral already set up with a phone number.
Adding free phone calls
First, you'll need Gizmo5 (formerly the Gizmo Project) and a Gizmo5 account. You can actually use any SIP program with a Gizmo5 (which is really an sipphone.com) account. To do so, just log in using sipphone.com as the domain and your username and password. But for clarity, I'll be using Gizmo5. You can download Gizmo5 for Windows, OS X, Linux, many mobile phones, and the Nokia N770, N800, and N810.
After installing Gizmo5, go to the GrandCentral site and log in. Then, go to Settings and click Add/Edit Number. Choose an empty slot and change it from the default Cell to Gizmo. Go back to Gizmo and click Edit > My Profile (or Account > My Profile). Look at the field Sip number. Copy all the numbers in it (so if it says sip:9999999999@proxy01.sipphone.com just copy 9999999999). Now, return to GrandCentral. Paste the number (e.g. 9999999999) and put in your Gizmo5 account name (e.g. onlineapps as the name. Now, hit save and go to the Address Book. Then, click the Call button next to the contact you wish to call. GrandCentral will ask which phone to make the call from. Click the Gizmo button. Now, Gizmo will pop up and tell you that you have an incoming call. Answer it, and you will be connected to the other person. To hang up, just hit the Hang Up button in the GrandCentral window.
Update: Eric pointed me to a GUI for the GrandCentral dialer for Nokia nxxx users. So if you run Maemo, check it out at http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18802
The verdict
Is this the cheapo way to make calls? Duh. Is this perfect? Of course not. You need to be connected to the internet at all times. Still, if you mostly have wifi, the possibilities are endless. Gizmo5 will run on many mobile phones and the Nokia Nseries tablets. Using this guide, you can set up free calling on an iPhone or iPod Touch using Sip-Voip or Fring. Heck, you can even use it on a Palm with Voice over Your Palm and on Windows Mobile with SJPhone
Platforms: Any (any SIP program can be used)
Rating: 4/5
Thanks to Kevin H for the great tip!
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10
{"commentId":1760027,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
I'm actually rather surprised more people haven't figured this one out yet. It's pretty simple, yet very handy if you don't wanna pay for Skype Out.
{"commentId":1760027,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 3 votes
#1 - Fri May 2, 2008 6:22 PM EDT{"commentId":1764064,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
did you submit this to slashdot andrew? This is weird. two of my news sites connecting like this.
{"commentId":1764064,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1766758,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1760110,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Send to SPAM" option to route callers directly to a SPAM voicemail box or completely block calls with the "Play number not in service" message.
Whoa....That is cool to play with...I love that "Not is Service" recording, I can think of a few people I would use that on !
Yikes that would be nice in this town, with my iTouch and free Wifi everywhere....whoa...and its so simple to use..nice find
{"commentId":1760110,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
#2 - Fri May 2, 2008 6:45 PM EDT{"commentId":1760744,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
I have a GrandCentral number, but haven't really started using it yet. I love the ability to have it ring all my "real" numbers, though. That's what I was thinking when I got my account, but I haven't got around to giving out the GC number to anyone...
{"commentId":1760744,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 4 votes
#3 - Fri May 2, 2008 11:28 PM EDT{"commentId":1761160,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
How did you get it ? I sent in my reservation and have not heard back. That sure seems neat.
{"commentId":1761160,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1761628,"authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
I know that I signed up back before they were acquired by Google. They used to let us invite others, but I think they stopped them now.
This is correct. I think they have a large enough, and diverse enough beta group that they have stopped the invites. Glad I got in before invites were done.
{"commentId":1761628,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1760854,"authorDomain":"Aunk"}
Hetep and Respect Andrew interesting time saving, money saving Tinfo, tnx. Clipped to my column.
{"commentId":1760854,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"Aunk"}
- 3 votes
#4 - Sat May 3, 2008 12:45 AM EDT{"commentId":1761531,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}
I've been with Grand Central for about a year. It is a fantastic service. I use it for number consolidation and I used it while I was in Hong Kong to save on voice mail charges by letting Grand Central catch all incoming calls.
It is the only number I ever give out.
My only complaint currently is that the grand central address book is not integrated with my gmail address book - so I have to maintain things in two places. Hopefully they get that rectified before too long.
{"commentId":1761531,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"finalcut"}
- 1 vote
#5 - Sat May 3, 2008 11:26 AM EDT{"commentId":1761625,"authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
I've been with Grand Central for about a year. It is a fantastic service.
You and me both.
My only complaint currently is that the grand central address book is not integrated with my gmail address book
AGREED!!! I don't understand why they can't integrate this. It boggles my mind.
What I love about it is that I can screen voicemail. When your phone number is out on the internet, and thousands of PR lists, this feature is a REAL blessing.
{"commentId":1761625,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1762753,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1764510,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
GrandCentral take a central part of Android
That would be one awesome combo.....
{"commentId":1764510,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1762409,"authorDomain":"permafrost91"}
will this work with international calls or only within the US?
{"commentId":1762409,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"permafrost91"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Sat May 3, 2008 6:16 PM EDT{"commentId":1762742,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1762603,"authorDomain":"ericew"}
You did see that the Nokia n8x0/os2008 has a native application ( inspirired by my hacking m.grandcentral.com ) that allows for dialing any US number through their callback mechanism.
www.internettablettalk.com-forums-showthread.php?t=18802
(replace - with /)
Cheers,
Eric
{"commentId":1762603,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"ericew"}
- 2 votes
#7 - Sat May 3, 2008 7:17 PM EDT{"commentId":1762744,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1763102,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
I still have my n770.....
{"commentId":1763102,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1762634,"authorDomain":"annarborbusinesscenter"}
I've been using Grand Central as my incoming number for more than 7 months. The critical feature for me (and I use it in business) was being able to make notes on a caller, or message while listening to the message. That was critical in that I and a manager used the same Grand Central account and that was how we kept track of whether or not messages had been listened to and calls returned.
I have it ring our cellphones and the Skype local number on the computer. I pretty much stopped using Skype out as I can Grand Central "out" to any number in the call log or number that I put into my Address Book.
Oh....the problem with using Skype Out was that the caller id is like +00012345. People can be weird about a non-standard caller ID. Calling out of Grand Central - GC shows my GC number on the caller ID and A2 Business Center. So people know it is about business and answer the phone.
{"commentId":1762634,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"annarborbusinesscenter"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Sat May 3, 2008 7:26 PM EDT{"commentId":1762751,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1762985,"authorDomain":"bazards"}
Congrats for getting this on Slashdot.
I've been using GrandCentral for a while now, great write-up.
{"commentId":1762985,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"bazards"}
- 2 votes
#9 - Sat May 3, 2008 9:52 PM EDT{"commentId":1770629,"authorDomain":"bazards"}
I just tried this out on my smartphone last night and it works pretty good. The quality isn't quite as good as a regular call, but hey, it's free. Since I'm doing it all through my phone I can do it just about anywhere too. I had to jump through an extra hoop though because my phone runs Windows Mobile 5 and Gizmo5 doesn't have a WM client yet. All I had to do was download Fring (another chat/SIP client for phones) and set it to use my Gizmo5 account. Thanks for the walkthrough, I'm going to start using this more often.
{"commentId":1770629,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"bazards"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1763028,"authorDomain":"keith-3"}
I actually used something like this when I left my cell phone at the airport in Portland while flying back to Kansas City. I used the wifi in KCI to log onto grandcentral and added a payphone to my grandcentral account. I then added the lost and found of PDX to my contact list and called PDX from the payphone via grand central.
Worked like a champ.
K
{"commentId":1763028,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"keith-3"}
- 1 vote
#10 - Sat May 3, 2008 10:12 PM EDT{"commentId":1763539,"authorDomain":"jaljones"}
Gee thanks! Why couldn't you tell us this when we all could have signed up. All you others that have had your Grand Central number for months, what's up? You guys couldn't write an article, seed a link? I want a Grand Central number too!
A little late, but good to know. Thanks for rubbing our faces in it.
Ahem, if you have an invite you could spare...I'd really be grateful.
{"commentId":1763539,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"jaljones"}
- 1 vote
#11 - Sun May 4, 2008 1:18 AM EDT{"commentId":1763897,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1764112,"authorDomain":"jesse-reisman"}
Doesn't seem to want to work. I'm trying the no. Gizmo gives me, but GrandCentral says it's not a valid US number. Any ideas?
{"commentId":1764112,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"jesse-reisman"}
- 1 vote
#12 - Sun May 4, 2008 10:42 AM EDT{"commentId":1766762,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"commentId":1768848,"authorDomain":"jesse-reisman"}
*blush*
That fixed it. Thanks :)
{"commentId":1768848,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"jesse-reisman"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1764592,"authorDomain":"dcode"}
This same trick actually works with T-Mobile or Alltel (probably others too). I have the cheapest MyFaves plan on T-Mobile. I set my GrandCentral number as one of my favorites. Then, using my data plan on my cell phone, I can connect to the mobile GrandCentral site, and place free phone calls to any contact. I also receive free incoming calls. While this isn't completely free (since you have to pay for the wireless plan + data if you want convenience), it's a little more convenient than the Gizmo trick since you can take it with you. Though, it may be cheaper to have an internet tablet with EVDO or something (although, my data plan w/ T-Mobile is only $10/mo, which includes wifi at the all the hot spots).
xD code
{"commentId":1764592,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"dcode"}
- 1 vote
#13 - Sun May 4, 2008 1:39 PM EDT{"commentId":1764604,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
That is exactly why I want the Grandcentral # is I also use T-Mobile Favorite-5's plan and wanted to use one of those numbers for the GC number, plus with T-Mobiles HQ here in Bellevue, I am almost always in a Hotspot anyway. So for me, that would be the perfect combo.
{"commentId":1764604,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1765165,"authorDomain":"mieses"}
Great idea, but it has worked in 1/10 attempts so far. Gizmo does not ring when GC tries to forward the call. I hope this is a temporary bug. I'll try again in a few days.
{"commentId":1765165,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"mieses"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Sun May 4, 2008 5:50 PM EDT{"commentId":1765370,"authorDomain":"mieses"}
Apologies for the previous comment. It does work.
I forgot that I had a custom forwarding configuration for the number that I was testing from. There should be a visual marker or a way to quickly search for contacts that do not follow the global forwarding rules.
{"commentId":1765370,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"mieses"}
- 1 vote
#15 - Sun May 4, 2008 7:04 PM EDT{"commentId":1787799,"authorDomain":"bookie1959"}
How much longer will Grand Central be in beta? Just want to know when people will be able to get their numbers.
{"commentId":1787799,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"bookie1959"}
- 1 vote
#16 - Sun May 11, 2008 3:17 AM EDT{"commentId":1788123,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
It will be in beta for a long time, it will probably go public beta soon though.
{"commentId":1788123,"threadId":"258903","contentId":"1466218","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1788157,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
{"canLink":false,"threadId":"258903","isPrivate":false}
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