Google Voice Apps & GUAVA

Couple people have written asking for the difference between Google Voice apps (see: m.google.com/voice) and GUAVA.

The Google Voice apps are from Google and GUAVA is not - that's one big difference. Functionally while they appear to be similar they are actually quite different. The Goog voice apps let you dial numbers from your mobile phone and all calls are routed through Google's system so they can display your Google Voice number as caller ID. All calls still go through your mobile carrier (or at least the call to Google Voice does and then from there the call is placed). This solves the issue with callers seeing your mobile number instead of your Gvoice number. However you're still burning minutes when you place a call and of course you have to have a paid mobile contract.

GUAVA supports VOIP meaning it allows you to make or receive calls and SMS without a carrier - strictly over wifi. This means you can place and receive calls without paying the carriers.

Both products are useful but they solve different problems.