What is the minimum Android OS to run good voip apps over wifi like Dell Voice?

**nauru** · 08-01-2012, 09:35 AM

Getting a new phone.
Main purpose is to be able to do as much as possible over wifi, including calling, receiving calls, and texting, since I'm almost always in an area with wifi.

Currently I have an iphone running OS 3.1.3. It can't do any of the stuff I need it to, since all the worthwhile apps seem to require OS 4+.

What is the equivalent in the android world? What is the minimum level of OS on android that will allow me to make and receive voip calls seamlessly over wifi? When a call comes in to my voip number I want the phone to ring just like it's coming to my 3g number. And I hit a button to answer it, hang up, etc. It should just work, without hacking or anything. (getting my iphone to do nearly anything I wanted required undue effort to dig through unofficial repos and stuff that I'd rather not do).

Also I want to drag and drop movies and music to and from my phone. Which OS of android phone is the minimum to be able to do this, without hacking or undue effort? I'd like to be able to just plug the phone into my computer, see the 'phone' window, and drag stuff I want or don't want to and from the phone window just like for my MP3 player from a decade ago. I should not have to use bloated proprietary software to do such a simple and basic task. Iphone couldn't do this, which is one of the main reasons I am getting rid of it.

Thanks.

**TadMorose** · 08-01-2012, 11:35 AM

Dell Voice minimum requirement is Android 2.1 or higher. For SIPdroid it's 1.5 or higher. You'll be fine.

As for drag and drop, that will work without any issues.

**Slinkwyde** · 08-01-2012, 11:58 AM

I do exactly what you describe.

The easiest way to do this is to use Google Voice. Then you'd only need to give people your Google Voice number, and it would ring both your VOIP number and your cell number. You'd answer on VOIP if you were on WiFi, or with cell minutes when you're not on WiFi. I recommend GrooVe IP, which requires 2.1, and you'll also want the official Google Voice app for voicemails and free WiFi texting. You can port an existing cell number to Google Voice for $20, but if you're not also switching carriers (GV is not a carrier) be careful not to cancel your account by porting out.

Read these two threads:

As for wanting the minimum OS version, keep in mind that updates to any OS are not just about getting new features and other enhancements. They're also about security updates and bug fixes.