There are two versions of GrooVe IP:
- Lite - free, but with advertisements
- Full - $4.99 (USD)
- Calls over a mobile data connection (not just Wi-Fi)
- Native dialer integration
- Proximity sensor support
- Change sign in status or sign in invisible
What you need:
- Android tablet
- GrooVe IP application
- Google Voice account
- Bluetooth earpiece (optional)
Now, on with the installation and usage.
Installation
As you might expect, installing GrooVe IP is simple. Just follow these steps:- Open up the Google Play Store
- Search for “groove ip” (no quotes)
- Tap GrooVe IP Lite (or the Full version if you’re sure you want to immediately purchase it)
- Tap Download
- Tap Accept & download
Usage
Using GrooVe IP is as straightforward as it gets. When you first fire up the app, you’ll be required to login to your Google Apps (gmail) account (Figure A).Figure A - click image to expand
Logging into GrooVe IP on a Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Once you log in, you can immediately start placing calls using the GrooVe IP dialer (Figure B).Figure B
Tap out the number and tap the green phone button to dial.
If you purchase the Full version of GrooVe IP, you can also use the Android built-in dialer, instead of having to open up the GrooVe IP app to make calls. By default, your native dialer will ask you if you want to place a call using GrooVe IP or your native network. You can easily change this behavior in the settings by following these steps:- Open GrooVe IP
- Tap the settings menu (upper left corner)
- Tap Native Dialer Options (Figure C)
- Tap Built-in Dialer Preference
- In the new overlay, select which option you want as the default action
Here you can adjust all GrooVe IP settings, including configuration options for troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting
One of the most common issues with GrooVe IP is incoming calls. If you find that you’re not receiving incoming calls, the issue is not with GrooVe IP, but with your Google Voice account. You must have incoming calls set to forward to Google Chat. Here’s how:- Log into your Google Voice account
- Click on Settings
- Click the check box associated with Google Chat (Figure D)
- Test incoming calls again
This setting alone should solve the incoming call conundrum.
If you find the call quality dropping over time, you’ll need to visit the Keep Alive setting for Wi-Fi. When your tablet goes into hibernation, it could be set to shut off Wi-Fi to save power. This needs to be unset to ensure consistent call quality. Simply follow these steps:- Go to Settings
- Tap Wireless & networks
- Tap Wi-Fi sleep policy
- Tap Never
There’s no reason why your Android tablet shouldn’t have all the features of your Android smartphone. If you’re on the go, you’ll appreciate only having to bother with one device. And since your tablet and your phone are both connected to your Google account, you can also easily share contacts, making this tool invaluable.
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