WP7 Google Voice Clients – Review Roundup

GoVoice

The competition between Microsoft and Google has been raging for a number of years now. The Windows Phone and Android mobile platforms are only a pocket-size part, online services are where the real competition is raging. One of the services where Google has a clear lead is Google Phonation.

If yous oasis't signed up for the service, Google Voice has a number of helpful features. The basic thought is that you sign up for an business relationship, choose a phone number, and so directly your phone traffic to this Google Voice Number. From at that place yous can have the calls automatically forrad to one or several other telephone numbers. Google Voice as well handles phonation mail service, emailing or texting you notifications, even transcribing messages so that y'all can go an idea of the content of a message without ever dialing your telephone.

Since Google Vox is a core service of a Microsoft competitor, we will most likely never encounter native integration into Windows Phone, just there are already a number of third political party applications that permit you to use the service on your Windows Phone. To come across how they rate, go along reading.

GV for Windows Phone

I'chiliad going to be brutally honest. Don't waste matter your time with GV right at present. GV is missing the adequacy for push notifications, which is a fundamental component of every other option. Likewise, there are a number of user interface mistakes, like login buttons that are placed and so that they are hidden behind the keyboard. GV could be a thespian at some indicate, merely it'south non right now.

$1.99 from the Marketplace (Zune link).

Free Talk

Each of the Google Phonation clients in this review employ the Metro UI as their basis; but Free Talk'southward take on Metro is slightly different than the others, and it'southward a good thing. Navigation between the different areas of the app is smooth and seamless. The unlike messages and missed calls are displayed with either the contact'southward name, or the best estimate on location, which is a nice characteristic. Push button notifications can be enabled in the paid version, though currently in that location is no live tile capability.

Free or $ii.99 from the Marketplace (Zune link).

GoVoice

Offering hands the about simplistic interface, GoVoice doesn't offer some of the niceties that you get with the contest. At that place is definitely some value in the commonsensical view that GoVoice features, at that place'southward no need to fumble between screens and the back button is rendered obsolete. Push notifications are included, and Live Tile integration has been added in the latest update.

$2.99 from the Marketplace (Zune link).

GVoice

The just Google Phonation client that offer's a Live Tile at the fourth dimension of this writing, GVoice jumps into contention for the top spot on that fact alone. Unfortunately at that place are some inconsistencies in the UI that drive my slightly (more) insane. The main screen features a call button, which brings upward your phone's contact list. Unfortunately there is no dialer presented, to go to that yous have to go back to the master screen and swipe through the panorama. Furthermore, instead of using the built in dialer command, the makers of GVoice felt the need to build the dialer themselves. Small points mayhap, but these applications all offering extremely similar functionality, the small points are where comparisons must be made.

$3.99 from the Market (Zune link).

Determination

For my money, GoVoice is the superior product of the bunch; though Free Talk is a shut second. The clean and consistent UI, paired with the standard characteristic ready and the Live Tile is plenty to push GoVoice over the superlative.

Each of these applications feature a trial version, so take advantage of that to exam the interface elements. I found that the UI is where the apps diverge, and your tastes may be wildly dissimilar than mine.

How much of a Google Vox user are you? Which app are you using to manage your account? Talk it up in the comments.

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