Friday, October 17, 2014

Hanghouts voice is not dependable

Sometimes, the app rings but the call is already disconnected when you pick up. This is especially guaranteed to happen in the morning on the very first call of the day. Not something new though, I have seen such behavior on other VOIP apps, such as Acrobits and Talkatone.

There are quite some VOIP apps for Android, but most of them have another big problem: they prevent your phone from sleep - your phone runs hot and battery drains quickly. Acrobits (newer versions), CSipSimple and Bria are such examples.

Sipdroid is the only Android app that does not have those issues, because it is all written for native Android, all new from scratches. It really idles, allowing the phone to go into deep sleep and still reliably receive calls. You can add G.729 codec to it.

However, there is a 5-year-old bug in Sipdroid. It'll lose registration after a while, especially after a change in network status, e.g., switching between WiFi and 3G or an Internet interruption. After looking into the source code and many tests, I'm happy to report: I fixed this bug.

If you need a dependable VOIP on your phone, the only available choice is Sipdroid and a SIP server that's done right, such as KOTS VOIP.  No extra battery drain, reliable calls in and out, period.

19 comments:

  1. Mr Sean:
    Like your handy article,following ,archiving and being fun,now l think one hotspot is how to select data plan for quality and cheap,as your convenint,recommand some ideal to us, thank you

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  2. Put poor signal aside, the only reasonable data service is from T-Mobile. The $5 Redpocket is the best if you don't need too much fast data. There is also $5 Redpocket on AT&T network.

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  3. Could you post a link for the $5 Redpocket on AT&T network?

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  4. Please could you post the link for the $5 data plan on Redpocket with AT&T, I have only ATT in my area, but I can see only $5 plan on Tmobile network. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Seems price has gone up:

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/251579548180?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D251579548180%26_rdc%3D1

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prepaid-Red-Pocket-Mobile-DUAL-Sim-Card-AT-T-Go-phone-GSM-network-redpocket-/170932346634?pt=SIM_Cards&hash=item27cc5c9f0a

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  5. "I'm happy to report: I fixed this bug". Could you share our fixed apk or how to do it? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Typo, I mean "your fixed version"

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    2. I'm not ready to release to the public, because I don't know how to deal with the GNU and G729 licenses yet.

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    3. I would like to try it if you don't mind. piscator_dt@hotmail.com Anyway thanks!

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  6. Mr Sean,
    Could you share the modified CSipSimple app, I desperately need Voip solution.
    Please.

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    Replies
    1. CSipSimple is garbage, I only tested several times in the past years and it always sucked. The later versions no longer come with G729 and prevent phone from sleep. It is hopeless, no need to modify it.

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    2. See my above reply for why I cannot share it yet.

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    3. A tip: if you want others to share something with you, you need to tell them how to reach you. Nobody would like to help you if they first have to subscribe to Google+ or Facebook or whatever and follow you.

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    4. Sorry I thought you can see my email from blogspot.

      alexsahka---@***gmail***dot---com

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  7. Could you share best Voip solution for android, beside Sipdroid. I know you are using the modified Sipdroid, but what is the next step down?

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    Replies
    1. They are listed in above article, i.e., CSipSimple, Acrobits, Bria... Hangouts... Although they are all useless to me, they might work for others who don't care about battery life and/or receiving calls.

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  8. Hi Sean.. CSipSimple plague me.. could you reach me with something about SipDroid? gz77it~at~gmail~dot~com ... Tnx!

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