Did you know that AT&T has an app that offers a service very similar to that of Google Voice? Well, not to worry, neither did I. That is until Josh from over at the Just Another iPhone Blog wrote a nice post about it. And judging from the release date in the App Store it appears to have been available since February 13, 2009.
Anyway, just what does the AT&T Virtual Receptionist app do? To begin with, it allows the user to add a second (toll-free) number to their iPhone. Users can both make and receive calls showing their new toll-free number. They can also make those calls using the built-in numeric keypad in the app. Additionally, the app also allows the user to both receive and check the voicemail for their new number directly from the iPhone.
Personally that sounds pretty similar to that of what Google Voice apps like GV Mobile once did. The main difference that I see here, aside from this app being from AT&T, is that it is intended more for business users. In fact the AT&T Virtual Receptionist service is not entirely free. Well, the app is free to download, setup and begin using. Each user gets 60 minutes of calling time for free, after which it turns into a paid service.
That and, it does not offer the ability to send or receive SMS, but honestly that does not surprise me, after all why would AT&T release something that would potentially cause users to cancel their SMS plans. After all that is a money maker for them.
Anyway, without getting to far into a Google Voice rant, I will leave the discussion at that and let you come to your own conclusions. Just to wrap this up, I have included a few screenshots below, for anyone who may want to see the similarities and do not want to go through the download and setup process.
Anyway, without further adieu, here is the link to find the AT&T Virtual Receptionist app in the App Store.
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October 5th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Doesn’t sound like you have used the GV app….this app isn’t ANYTHING like the GV app…. i wouldn’t let them pay me to use this app.
GV rocks! GV App rocks even more!!! AT&T Sucks AT&T APP sucks even more…
October 5th, 2009 at 9:08 am
@MP
I use GV Mobile on a regular basis on the iPhone, in fact Google Voice is my primary number. My reason for comparison was simple.
This app also adds a second telephone number to your iPhone that you can use to both send and receive calls.
This app also allows you to have a second voicemail, also on your iPhone.
The main difference that I can see, is as I pointed out, the lack of SMS as well as this app is seemingly pushed as a business app as opposed to an individual app.
In what ways would you say that it isn’t anything like GV on the iPhone.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
@MP
I rather doubt you’ve used Google Voice from your iPhone on your legitmate AT&T account. Please leave the comparisons and commentary to those who actually have used the products.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Be careful here. This is not an AT&T app at all. This app is by RingCentral with the sole objective to use the AT&T name to lure you into using RingCentral’s other phone service products. Be careful there as well as there’s many blogs out there with not a lot of nice things to say about RingCentral.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
If you want to SMS for free with other iPhone users, get the Ping! app from the App Store. The app is cheap, and you can SMS with Push notification for free.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:43 am
Imciberrana
03:38am
Ipswitch was making Ringcentral available to it’s subscribers. As stated it’s not free. If one has a choice – I’d say GVoice would be the better way to go. More features that are useful, as well as local and long distance without the limits. International calling is reasonable with the understanding that you are paying – although pricing is more than reasonable, and you can call cell as well as landlines – for that phone call.