Why I'm still frustrated with Google Voice

Google should be aggressively developing Google Voice for Android and iPhone. In spite of its frequent issues, I can't quit it.

The apps first premiered for Android

Let me just say that I've been using Google Voice on mobile since the apps first premiered for Android and iPhone -- and I continue to use it every day on both platforms. As a matter of fact, I depend on it for my job.

As a cell phone reviewer, I'm constantly testing new phones. Google Voice gives me a centralized place to access my family and friends' calls and texts. Since they only see the message or incoming call, it doesn't matter which device I use to reach out.

Yet messaging delays, lack of MMS support, theiPhone app's instability, and the Android app's incomplete integration into most devices weigh it down As for those tragicomic garbled voicemail transcriptions I've spoken about earlier, I've simply come to accept them.

Matter of fact shine

Android is where Google Voice should as a matter of fact shine, nevertheless it's frustrating that visual voicemail and texts don't appear in every Android phone's native messaging app or call log.

The Android version as well lacks the iPhone app's terrific interface in the Quick Dial screen, which lets you program favorite people, and which pulls at the same time a list of your most recent connections for faster re-dialing. It as a matter of fact is heads and shoulders above the bland Android inbox.

Mostly, it's the slow pace of development that irks me. The majority of changes to the Android and iPhone changelogs are bug fixes, which suggests that Google isn't putting as many resources into the mobile apps as I feel it should.

Atypical use case

I admit that I have an atypical use case, so I read the Google Voice forums and furthermore, I asked my Twitter and Google+ followers what they love and hate about Google Voice on their given platforms. Below are some of the most representative responses.

He explained that because of Apple's restrictions, Google Voice on iPhone must send text messages through IP, or rather than through the carrier's network, which uses the voice channel. As a result, iPhone messages could legitimately come in slower. If you choose to as well receive SMS messages through your iPhone message inbox, you could get texts faster, however you'll as well receive duplicate messages.

"The Android app allows you to to tell the truth integrate with the native calling experience," said Paquet. "That's something that's unfortunately not available to us from iOS."

When I asked why the Android app lagged behind the iPhone app when it comes to quick contacts, Paquet said that the Google Voice team designed the iOS app as a destination app. Since on Android you can make outgoing calls through Google Voice by default, the team chose to make it more "transparent." In other respects, Paquet told me, the feedback that his team receives most has to do with features integration, not visual improvement.

The ongoing epic battle of the latest

Jessica Dolcourt pits phone against phone in the ongoing epic battle of the latest and greatest smartphones. Earlier that, she sat in judgment of smartphone and desktop apps. In her personal life, Jessica remains tireless in her quest for the world's most perfect cheese.

The Dialed In podcast crew has your insatiable need for smartphone news and reviews covered. Join Jessica Dolcourt, Brian Bennett, and Lynn La live Mondays at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, where we tackle what's in, what's out, and what's coming then.