GrandCentral Click to Call Add-on for Firefox
By Chad • Jun 29th, 2008 • Category: FirefoxIf you are familiar with Google’s GrandCentral service and are one of the fortunate few who actually have an account, you are probably waiting for additional features to be released like the rest of us.
A feature I requested in the past was an addon for Firefox that would allow GrandCentral subscribers to place outgoing calls by clicking any number in their browser. While I’m sure the GrandCentral team is hard at work on this and other new features, I decided to take the liberty of making it happen.
I’m proud to offer the Firefox and GrandCentral communities my first add-on for Firefox, the GrandCentral Click to Call Add-on for Firefox .
This is the first release of the addon so I’m calling it version 0.1. The addon has been updated to v0.2.8. Read about the version changes below.
Features of version 0.1:
- Automatic login to your GrandCentral account
- Hover your GC number on the toolbar for the most recent call
- Double click your GC number to redial the last call
- Quickly access your voice messages, address book, and call log by right clicking the toolbar
- Click any phone number to place a call
Features planned for future versions :
- New message notifications
- New missed call notifications
- Prettier display of recent calls added in v0.2.5
- Option to select number to use for outgoing calls added in v0.2.4
- Option to manually input a number to call added in v0.2
- Better tracking of GrandCentral session id’s added in v0.2.4
Quirks of this version:
The current version is fully functional but occasionally GrandCentral asks you to select the number to use for outgoing calls. Right now you may have to sign in to GrandCentral’s mobile page to set your preference if the addon doesn’t work. Once you do this, right click and reload the call log for the addon to start. Fixed in v0.2.4, you now set the line to dial from via the addon settings
If you log in to GrandCentral manually, that sometimes changes your session id. The session id is cached by the addon so if it changes you may have to force the addon to refresh it. This can be done by right clicking your number and choosing Update Calls. Fixed in v0.2.4, session id is now retrieved from cookies.
In order to be able to place outgoing calls, the number you are calling has to already be in your address book for the call to go through. This addon will automatically add the numbers you click to your address book and then place the call. This means you may need to occasionally tidy up your address book to remove numbers you no longer need. Fixed in v0.2.4.
Screenshots:
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- Preview
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- Calling
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- Click to Call
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- GrandCentral Firefox Add-On Menu
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- Options
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- Missed Call Notification
Updates:
As of this time you will not automatically receive notifications of updates to the addon. This is something I am working on, so please bear with me until then and check back often for new versions.
July 3, 2008 - The addon has been updated to v0.2. The download links have been updated to the new version of the addon. v0.2 contains a minor bug fix where the name of the last caller would not display correctly if the phone number was unknown. Unnecessary lines of code were removed in this version of the addon. This version also contains the following new features:
New features in v0.2 :
- Option to manually input a number to call
- Link to select the phone number to use for outgoing calls (requires “Update Calls” after selecting)
- Duplicate phone numbers are no longer added to the address book if they are in the list of recent calls
New features in v0.2.2 :
- Addon now compatible with Flock (Unsupported)
- Speedier phone number checking thanks to Jon Miniat
New features in v0.2.3 :
- Added option to disable click-to-call functionality
- Fixed error where anonymous number would mess up last call
New features in v0.2.4 :
- Numbers no longer have to be added to the address book to make an outgoing call
- You can now set the line you want to dial from (not your GrandCentral Number) directly in the options menu - once you upgrade you will need to do this before you will be able to place a call
- Added the option to confirm all outgoing calls before the call goes through
- Fixed session handling so you won’t have to reload the addon after visiting GrandCentral
- Slightly improved display of most recent call
- Rewrote most of addon for optimization / speed
New features in v0.2.5 :
- Fixed an error that was given when the addon was first installed
- Last call popup now contains the call type (prettier display)
New features in v0.2.6 :
- Made “incorrect username or password” error more specific
- Error now specifies if the login failed or if the username or password is missing
New features in v0.2.7 :
- Non-alphanumeric characters in passwords should work now (tested using ~!@#$%^&*()_+`-=1a)
- Remembers forwarding number after automatically refreshing the call log
- Added license block: MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1
- Added correct MIME type so you no longer have to manually install the addon
- Submitted to addons.mozilla.org for testing
New features in v0.2.8 :
- Sped up phone number checking by reducing number of expressions
- No longer looks for numbers in CSS and Scripts (no breaking Blogger)
- Only valid phone numbers are clickable (000-000-0000 is not real number)
- Numbers that were already clickable will not be made clickable again
- Numbers that are links can no longer be clicked
- Added tooltip to options clarifying what is meant by “Forwarding number”
- Added tooltip when numbers are hovered (example 316-555-1212)
- Clickable numbers now inherit the style of parent document (see Lifehacker comments for example number)
Features planned for v0.3 :
- Notification of updates to the addon
- Fancier method of selecting number for outgoing calls
- Prettier display of recent calls
- Notification of new missed calls
- Notification of new voice messages
Compatibility:
This version has been tested on and is fully functional with Firefox 2.0.0.x, 3.0.1, 3.1a2pre, and 4.0a1pre. It has only been tested using Windows XP and Vista. Please notify me of any other compatible versions or platforms in the comments.
Credits:
The GrandCentral addon was written by myself (Chad Smith) but I did borrow code from Brendon Wilson’s PBX Click2Call Firefox Extension to save time from having to entirely rewrite the functions to recognize numbers and make them clickable, and borrowed code from Winston Huang’s TMobile Minutes Used Firefox Extension for caching the call list. Thank you to them for their hard work on their addons.
License:
This addon is distributed without warranty under the MPL 1.1/GPL 2.0/LGPL 2.1 licenses. View the addon source or visit http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/ for additional information on the licenses.
Download:
GrandCentral Click to Call Add-on for Firefox
Donate:
Manual Update Checking:
There currently are no automatic update notifications for this addon, so check this page regularly or follow me on twitter to be notified of new versions.
Manual Installation:
I’m not sure why the addon doesn’t give everyone the option to install when you click the download link (I probably missed something) so if it doesn’t install directly, drag the downloaded file back to your Firefox or addons window to start the installation. Fixed in v0.2.7
Chad is that smith.
Email this author | All posts by Chad
Thought to give this a try Chad, but not sure how to install once file is downloaded… could you add a paragraph on how to install? I’m using Firefox 3, and am one of the lucky GrandCentral current members. Thanks in advance. -M
Chad, I like this. I would like you to do some more things with this, since no one at GC seems to care. Keep up the good work!
I discovered a small bug that made the addon list an incorrect name for the last caller if the contact is not in your address book.
This has been fixed and the original file has been updated. If you downloaded the addon last night you will need to download it again.
How can I get an invite for GrandCentral.com ?
Chad, this addon is exactly what I have been requesting from GrandCentral for a year now. Keep up the great work. I can’t wait for v0.3!
By the way… that’s a great whois record screenshot! Did anyone answer at that number?
EXCELLENT!
I just ran into this blog by accident, but seriously this is an amazing add-on. The right-click, dial number option is great for just dialing any number straight away from the computer. I also really love just clicking any phone number and having it be called immediately.
Chad, thank you! I’d recommend setting up a paypal or google checkout donation link. I’d donate. This is great.
Thanks for this wonder extension!!!
Great concept and work.
I use Mozilla’s SeaMonkey for all of its integration features. It uses the same code base as Firefox. When I clicked on your download link, it took me to a screen which allowed me to download your add-on.
When I tried to install the add-on, I get the following: GrandCentral Click to Call 0.2 could not be instatlled becaused it si not compatible with SeaMonkey 2.0a1pre.
Is there someway to make your add-on more open to allow installation on other variants of Mozilla…Not just Firefox 3?
I hope this helps and get you widespread acclaim for a very good piece of work.
If I can help in this area, let me know.
I can test for you under your guidance.
I cannot get the extension to work. I install it and enter my account information, but all I get is “loading call list.” I have left it trying to load my call list for hours. I am using Firefox version 3. I cannot make any calls by clicking on the number on a webpage or anything. Any help in troubleshooting would be appreciated.
Thanks. This looks great.
One minor thing - I was attempting to copy a number from a website, and suddenly realized that I was calling it - the ability to cancel a number when the dialog box pops up might be nice.
I hope this is helpful. It’s a wonderful extension, and do get a donations feature set up.
Great extension !! I agree you need to take donations.
Great idea. I tried it on a Macintosh laptop, too bad it did not work. All seemed fine except it would not complete the call (I added my information in the settings and selected a cell phone line). Perhaps in a future version.
@GCM
I am still testing the add-on in SeaMonkey. I got it to install but need to learn how to get it to work with the status bar. SeaMonkey seems to treat the status bar differently than Firefox.
@hartazo
I haven’t heard back from you yet. Have you been able to get it to work?
@Wayne Burke
In the next version you will be able to set whether or not you want to confirm each call.
@Mark
I haven’t been able to test it on a Mac myself, but I know a few others have been using it just fine.
Once you have your number selected click Update Calls to make sure the unique code needed by GrandCentral is still valid. If that doesn’t work, let me know and I will make a special version that will give you error returned by GrandCentral.
Does your most recent call at least display how it should? Also, can you dial out using Dial Phone Number?
unable to get extension options to accept the username/password that GrandCentral accepts
I did try the Update Calls option and still nothing. I sent you an email with my system information and I am using Firefox 3.0
Does your most recent call at least display how it should? No, it only shows the last one completed by using GC
Also, can you dial out using Dial Phone Number? No, it says it is calling but does not complete
@Mark
I just updated the addon to v0.2.4. Try it updating to it and let me know if outgoing calls work. In this version you will have to go back to your settings and set the number you want to dial from.
Also, as of right now only the most recent call is displayed. I may make it so multiple calls are listed in future versions.
I think that I figured out the issue. Another add-on called CookieSafe seems to block loading of calls. I have it set to block third party cookies. Your add-on works fine when it is disabled. Does your add-on create or modify third party cookies?
Browser is still stuck on “Loading Calls” cycle with CookieSafe icon blinking next to it.
@Mark
GrandCentral saves a cookie when you log in which contains some validation information needed to place outgoing calls. This new version relies specifically on this cookie to function. If cookies from grandcentral.com are blocked then the addon will not work.
I’ve been able to identify and reproduce the bug that was preventing me from using your add-on.
By modifying my GC password to eliminate special characters, your add-on started working.
@Douglas
Thank you for the input. Would you mind sharing what characters you had to remove?
Hi
I am using Firfox 2.0.0.8 and Windows XP Home.
I am unable to place a call.
It gives me a message saying “Unable to call (xxx)-xxx-xxxx.
I am able to place calls through the GC website
@Gugs
Which version of the addon are you using? There was an issue for about an hour or two in today’s version where calls could not be made to numbers with parentheses. If you are not using v0.2.5 try updating to it. If you are, download it and try again. You may just need to choose Update Calls to be able to call numbers that are already on the page.
Chad, I would mind because I don’t want to post [publicly] any hints about passwords I may use.
I will say they are characters that are found on standard keyboards that work for GC.
I am getting the same error message as Douglas: incorrect login or password. However, my password only contains alphanumeric characters. My username does contain an under score, could this be the problem? Thanks.
Hi Chad
I had version 0.2.3. I have updated to the new version 0.2.5.
Sometimes it says unable to call. I then click update.
It then says “calling” and then I click OK. Then nothing happens.
It will be great if I can get this to work.
Thanks.
@Ptolemaios
Check your profile folder to see if the file grandcentral-last-response.html is there. If it is, open it and see what it says. If the file doesn’t exist that tells me your login info isn’t being saved in Firefox.
I have updated the addon to v0.2.6 which changes the error to be more specific. Let me know if the last response file is there.
@Gugs
A few questions, does your phone number show up on the status bar? Also, does the most recent call pop up when you put your mouse over it?
If those work then the addon is logging you in correctly which tells me the error is probably in retrieving the session code from your cookies. Do you have any addons that block cookies?
All is working fine now that the cookie connection has been discovered.
With cookie blocking I got an error saying incorrect username and password plus the dialing out number was null. I disabled my cookie blocking quit browser (starting a new session where it does not reopen or save windows) then l logged into Grand Central and finally ran update calls from the plugin menu. It has been working perfect since.
I hope this information helps someone and thanks for the great plug-in Chad.
@Gugs
Dumb question, but you don’t happen to have your GrandCentral number set as the Forwarding Number in your preferences do you? If so, that needs to be the number you want GrandCentral to ring before placing the call, such as your cell phone.
@Mark
Thanks for pointing that out. I’m glad the addon finally works. What’s the name of the cookie addon you were using? I would like to check it out to see why it’s not compatible.
Thanks a lot! Just what I wanted!! I just hope GC remains free and gets developed further.
Thank you thank you thank you
Any chance on getting this to work for Windows Mobile Devices?
The add-on is called “CookieSafe” and it causes issues when you have “block third party cookies” enabled. Otherwise it seems to work OK with your add-on. I thought it was also causing your add-on to stop completing calls after about a day but it turns out that is not the issue. I have to quit and re-start my browser after about a day or the confirmation window shows “null” for the forwarding number when I place a call and it does not complete. Quitting my browser fixes it but this happens every day with CookieSafe enabled or disabled. I hope this information helps, it is a wonderful add-on and I am glad to support it with a donation.
I installed, added my information, and tried to call a number using the “dial” function and all that is returned is a “calling….” popup….
Any ideas on how to fix it?
Oh and I hit the update calls button, and it says “loading calls” and then changes back to my number.
And suggestions would be appreciated. I am running, Win Vista, Firefox 3.0.1
@Mark
The GrandCentral cookies are session cookies so it makes sense they would expire after a day or so and force you to have to reload the calls (all this does is log you out and back in by the way). For the next version I will make it automatically clear the cookies as it refreshes so you will always have a valid session id.
@Persion in Miami
The addon always shows your number at the bottom because I couldn’t think of anything else to put there. Does your most recent incoming or outgoing call popup when you hover it? Also, does it call out when you click a number? You can test that by typing a number in a text document and opening it in Firefox.
I saw this on Lifehacker and this is a really cool add on. Thanks for taking the initiative to make it.
I have not been able to make it work, unfortunately. I am running FF3 on Ubuntu 8.04.
When I click on a phone number (I think it is nice that it doesn’t get the link format or an underline - it just is a link) I get a JavaScript error that doesn’t go away and in fact gets longer and longer each time. The only way I can get it to go away is to kill Firefox.
First message looks fine, then I get this one.
Call 4254251685 from (425) 296-6733?
Followed quickly by:
Unable to place call to 4254251685
Every time I dismisse the message, it gets longer and longer until it fills the screen and I kill FF.
However, Grand Central does call my forwarding number and in some cases the call goes through. It also appears to make a new call each time the error message is dismissed (which is bad because the error message keeps returning).
Your add on fills a very obvious gap in Grand Centrals offering, Click to Call and the ability to call numbers not in the addressbook. I would like to see this work - let me know what I can do to help troubleshoot.
Drat. Text of errors didn’t work right. Too much html in them I guess.
Call 4254251685 from (425) 296-6733?
Followed quickly by:
Unable to place call to 4254251685
If this doesn’t work right, there is a screenshot here.
@Beau
I think I ran into that on one instance but it stopped after 4 iterations. Was the site you were viewing loaded dynamically, such as via JavaScript / AJAX?
Yes, it does show my most recent incoming/outgoing call in a popup when I hover over.
“Also, does it call out when you click a number? You can test that by typing a number in a text document and opening it in Firefox.”
I went to the google 411 website as a test page (http://www.google.com/goog411/)
When I click on the number it says “Calling 800-466-4411″ in a popup with a yellow triangle. If I don’t do anything nothing changes, but if I hit the OK button (the only option) the popup disapears
@Beau
@Person in Miami
Just to make sure, you have a landline or cell phone number set as the forwarding number and not your GrandCentral number, correct?
“Just to make sure, you have a landline or cell phone number set as the forwarding number and not your GrandCentral number, correct?”
Fixed, what a simple problem, I should read more carefully…
Sorry for the inconvenience…But, thanks for the great extension!
Chad, could address the shift-number characters for passwords? This keeps me from using the plugin without changing my password.
Clicking cancel in the options button gives the following error and moves the focus of application away from firefox when OK is clicked.
An unknown error occurred
[Exception... "Component returned failure code: 0x8000ffff (NS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED) [nsIPrefBranch.getCharPref]” nsresult: “0×8000ffff (NS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED)” location: “JS frame :: chrome://grandcentral/content/grandcentral.js :: anonymous :: line 851″ data: no]
@Coward
Test this version of the addon and let me know if it works with your password.
@Santa
You are receiving that error because it sounds like you hit cancel before setting the Forwarding Number (the number GrandCentral should dial for your end of the conversation). It should go away if you set the Forwarding Number. It pops up because the addon checks for a valid entry when you close the settings window.
Chad - thanks for the quick answer.
I do have my forwarding number set to my Skype In number, not my GrandCentral number.
Regarding the site that was the source, the first time was from a somewhat dynamic site, though not AJAX I believe (www.northwestmini.com). My calls to the service department actually went through after every error message.
I also called home using a text file the phone number in it and the same error occurred.
I’m runing Firefox 3.0.1 on an Intel Mac. (MacBook Pro) and version v0.2.6 of the plug-in works great. Thank you for this. Now, if only I could get this functionality in the Mac OS X address book I’d be in telephony heaven.
I did some more testing tonight and confirmed that the “forwarding number” is showing as null in the confirm call window (not in the settings window) after the automatic update call log runs and calls can not be placed. If I don’t use the laptop for the entire 60 minutes, it is good the next time I wake it up. Setting automatic call log update time to 5 minutes instead of 60 confirmed that the forwarding number showed as null after that time and I could not place calls. Selecting the manual “update calls” from the menu does not cause the same issue. I hope this is helpful for the next update.
Awesome! I’ve been hoping for this functionality for a while now.
Cheers,
m.f
Thanks for a much-needed addon! The only minor problem I am having is that I don’t see an option for “Go to Messages” or “Go to Address Book” in the popup menu. The options I am seeing are: Dial, Settings, Update Calls, Go to GrandCentral, Disable-Click-to-Call, and About. I am running Windows XP SP2 and Firefox 3, and I am assuming this is an operator malfunction since no one else has posted a similar issue.
@216skillz
I’m more of a marketing guy than a programmer so I doubt I will make a Windows Mobile version anytime soon. A while back I read about a few projects on the GrandCentral Google Group and Internet Tablet Talk for the iPhone and Nokia N800/810. You may want to check there.
@Mark
I haven’t been able to reproduce that issue but think I found where it is coming from. Please test this version of the addon and let me know if it continues.
@Sandy Eigo
It’s not an operator malfunction. I removed those a few versions back to see if anyone would miss them and forgot to update the screenshot.
Great extension! i have it up and running on my desktop ff-3.0.1/winxp, but i keep getting an invalid user name or password when running on my laptop (same configuration). i don’t know if it’s a cookies thing you talked about in some comments above, but i can’t get it to work, even with the desktop powered down entirely (for sure not running in two different locations.) any advice? cookies, cache all cleared.
@di
If you are getting the invalid username or password error then the addon isn’t even getting to the point where it would look for a cookie. Most likely you are using one of those fancy passwords with weird symbols in them, i.e. (!@#$%^&*+).
Try this version of the addon and let me know if the issue goes away. If it continues, check your profile folder (%appdata%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles if you are not running Firefox Portable) for the file grandcentral_last_response.html.
Great add-on!
I’m using a standard alphanumeric password. I’m stumped. installed 0.2.7b2, the grandcentral_last_response.html is a blank 0kb file. i delete it, and a new one does not get created even after changing account settings or updating calls. I even disabled all other add-ons. The same setup runs perfectly on my desktop. On there, the grandcentral_last_response_html file lists all my recent calls, when deleted, it gets recreated on next update calls. I must say it’s a great add-on though!
Couple of suggestions…
(1) Change “Forwarding number” to “Call from number” in options. (Or provide a mouseover/tool-tip to better explain what number goes here. I also couldn’t figure it out until I came back here and realized my silly mistake.)
(2) How about an optional icon next to recognized numbers or some kind of underlining? (Skype’s plug-in does this.)
(3) Or a mouse cursor that changes when you mouse over an icon… just something to give an indication that an action is available.
That said, this is really slick.
The download kinda fixed the issue. I still have it set to “update call log” every five minutes and it retains the number but after 60 minutes it reverts back to null (in the dialing confirmation popup window when I make a call) and won’t make calls after that time unless I quit Firefox and restart. I also noticed that every time I visit the help page at http://www.google.com/support/grandcentral/ it messes things up again and the confirmation goes back to “call XXX-XXX-XXXX from null?” I mentioned this so you could try it from your browser and see if it does the same thing, I could just avoid that help page.
I love this, looking forward to updates
Chad,
I just wanted to let you know that I discovered why the add-on would never connect; I had 3rd party cookies disabled. If anyone else has this issue, just enable 3rd party cookies (options > privacy > cookies). Or as I did, just add grandcentral.com as an allowed exception to 3rd party cookies. Thanks for the great add-on. Now I am able to enjoy it on my main computer.
I am running FF 3.0.1 on Ubuntu. The login seems to work fine, as the .html file is generated in my profile with a scrape of my GC call log. Hovering over the number on my status bar shows my last call. However I cannot call out. If I click on a number it will display “Call number xxxxxxxxxx from null?”, then when I click Cancel it shows, “Call xxxxxxxxxx from null?” Cookies are enabled. The forwarding number is set to my cell phone, which is not directly associated with the GC account, other than in the Address Book.
Any clues? Need me to do additional troubleshooting?
Thanks for the promise of a solution to some of GCs shortfalls.
There seems to be a bug with the plug-in when the call log within Grand Central is blank.
I love it, but it needs a minor improvement. Currently, it seems like the plug-in does’t recognize phone numbers if they are in the format: (111) 555-1212
For the record, this is the format of phone numbers listed in Google maps, which is where I first went to try it out.
Otherwise, very cool add-on.
Sorry, my mistake. It’s working now.
Answers to your questions:
Q 1) does your phone number show up on the status bar? Also, does the most recent call pop up when you put your mouse over it?
Answer - Yes they do, I am logged in.
Q2) If those work then the addon is logging you in correctly which tells me the error is probably in retrieving the session code from your cookies. Do you have any addons that block cookies?
Answer - I don’t have any add ons that block cookies - I only have add block plus.
Q3) Dumb question, but you don’t happen to have your GrandCentral number set as the Forwarding Number in your preferences do you? If so, that needs to be the number you want GrandCentral to ring before placing the call, such as your cell phone.
Answer - I have them set correctly as I use the website and make successful calls.
I was using V 0.2.5, let me try and get the new version and see if it works.
I have tried the new version and I am still not able to get it to work. I also tried disabling the add block plus and trying.
I am still unable to call.
@James
Thank you. I will keep those changes in mind for the next version. If you are using Windows the cursor should change to the pointer (finger) when you hover a phone number.
@Mark
I still haven’t been able to reproduce your issue. Have you gotten the addon to work correctly in a new profile?
@hartzo
Thank you for pointing that out.
@kc5aug
The forwarding number is pulled directly from your preferences. Check prefs.js or about:config for extensions.grandcentral.forwarding and make sure it’s set there. Are you using the latest version of the addon?
@Andrew
Then make some calls! I figured that would be the case, but couldn’t test that part of the addon since I’ve had my account for about 2 years.
@Gugs
It sounds like you might have the same issue with Third Party Cookies some of the others were having. Check your settings, specifically the Privacy tab under the Firefox options window and either check “Allow Third Party Cookies” or add GrandCentral.com as an exception. Hopefully that will do it.
@di
You might want to check your Third Party Cookie preference as well and see if that solves your issue. Also, upgrade to 0.2.7 whenever you get the chance.
I’m waiting to hear back from GoDaddy about my SSL certificate so everyone can get automatic update notifications.
If I right click on my GC number, get the menu, then select Settings, my forwarding number is populated as it should be. (NOT my GC number, but my cell phone).
extensions.grandcentral.forwarding is there, with my cell number. Should we put a “1″ in front, or just the 10 digits?
Using version 0.2.7.
@kc5aug
Just the 10 digits. I think I have an idea of what’s causing it. How is the number formatted in the settings? Is it xxxxxxxxxx, xxx-xxx-xxxx, or (xxx) xxx-xxxx? You might try typing just the numbers if that’s not how it already is.
xxxxxxxxxx I will try the other formats to see if that makes any difference.
No change using any of the formats you mentioned.
Sweet! Been using for about a week now on Firefox 3.0.1 running Windows XP… also Firefox 3.0.1 running Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron…. Both platforms seem to work flawlessly.
I do agree with James, July 28th post, to please change “Forwarding number” to “Call from number” in options. This will help a lot of people avoid confusion, like me.
Thanks.
Thanks all!! i knew if i waited long enough someone else would run into the same problem. enabling the 3rd party cookies worked.
This breaks Blogger.com. Both http://www.blogger.com and draft.blogger.com.
After the page is displayed, the plug-in turns off the CSS. (I tested by disabling and re-enabling the Add On.)
I’ve confirmed the behavior in comment 74 - blogger CSS being messed up.
Regarding my initial problems, even after updating to 0.2.7, I still get the recurring span javascript error. I’ve dismissed the error up to 20 times with no end in sight. It appeared that the previous version would attempt to make a new call after each error dismissal, but this version does not.
I have been able to use the Dial option with no issues - the span error does not come up.
Let me know if I can do anything to help troubleshoot.
@James
@Beau
I noticed that today as well. It breaks the CSS because the stylesheet contains a series of numbers in the filename that addon thinks is a phone number. I just about have a fix worked out for it and will update the addon shortly. I will post it in about an hour.
// edit
The addon has been updated to v0.2.8. Beau, let me know if it does anything for the recurring javascript error.
Chad - it works!
No issue with blogger and no recurring javascript errors!
I really like the tool tip over the phone number. Keeps the page clutter down (why I don’t use the Skype Click to Call add on).
One of the most useful add-on ever !!
I hope Google Grand Central is giving you a paycheck for doing what they are unable or unwilling to do-
THANKS!!!
Great Add on.
I just wanted to make you aware of a little bug I found,
Yahoo mail fails to load correctly with Click to Dial enabled.
I tried tried it on both Windows and Linux with the same result.
Just thought I’d let you know.
Thanks
@Steve
Yahoo Mail seems to be working on my end. What version of the addon are you using? You may be experiencing the bug that was fixed in v0.2.8.
Chad,
It’s working great for me now. The only minor glitch I’ve found is that it doesn’t see phone numbers in my Google Mail Contacts in standard view. When I switch to basic HTML view it does see the phone numbers fine. Firebug shows that the numbers are really in the DOM (though not in the original HTML, of course), though buried very, very deeply.
This is actually not a practical problem, since I can copy the numbers to the clipboard and then use your extension’s feature that lets me enter any number to dial.
This is really making my life simpler. Thanks again for it.
Charlie
Still no love for me. Have not had the chance to try from another system, but may try to do that this week. Any new thoughts?
I keep getting “Invalid username or password” error, but the “Go to GrandCentral” choice works correctly. The file grandcentral_last_response.html exists, but is 0 bytes. Timestamps indicate it was created when Firefox started, and never accessed since, though I retried entering the Options several times.
P.S. No special characters in username or password
@kc5aug
I tested the addon in Ubuntu last night and it worked just fine for me. I get the feeling you may have another conflicting addon or an issue with your Firefox profile. Can you e-mail me a list of the other addons you are using?
@Gary
It sounds like you might be having the same issue @di had. Check the Privacy tab in your Firefox options and see if you have “Accept third party cookies” enabled. If you don’t, add “grandcentral.com” as an allowed exception. Let me know if that works.
how do i remove this script? thanks.
Uninstall it like you would any other addon. Click Tools -> Add-ons, click the addon you want to uninstall, click the uninstall button, restart Firefox.
thanks chad. will reinstall when i my grand central account squared away.
I am using 0.2.8 on Firefox 3.0.1 and it works flawlessly! Thanks so much Chad, this is the missing link for GrandCentral. Just being able to enter a one off number to call without entering it into Contacts is big.
Future suggestions - drop down box to select the number you want to call from (sometimes I want to call from my cell, sometimes my gizmo number). Link in the context menu to go to GrandCentral Contacts page directly. Expanded ability to call recent numbers (perhaps a drop down list on the dial dialog box for past 10 calls).
I am sure you have way more critical things to think of for now though.
Scrap the expanded ability to call recent numbers, the go to GrandCentral link that take you to the call log is fine for that.
Thanks again.
Chad,
Thanks! Yes it was the third-party cookies. Exception cured it. Now that it’s working, I do have a comment:
It’s VERY easy to dial by mistake, I find, especially the last number that pops up by floating over the status bar button. A confirm dialog pops up, that says “Dialing..” but no matter what you do, the call gets placed. There’s an [OK] button on the dialog, but there’s no [Cancel] button. If you use the close [X] button–even if you do nothing, the call gets placed.
What I’d wish for is some sort of “Are you sure?” dialog. Isn’t that what the “Confirm all calls” checkbox is supposed to do?
It would also be nice if it were easier to change the Call From number, perhaps selecting from last n recently used.
Thanks again!
=Gary
I m not able to create a new account can anybody tell me,
what option is used to create a new account.
@Balram
The addon can only be used if you already have a GrandCentral account. You can reserve a number at grandcentral.com, but unfortunately they are in a closed beta meaning there are no invites and they are not allowing new accounts.
@Gary
That is what “Confirm all calls” does. I think it’s great myself because I tend to copy a lot of phone numbers at work.
@Gary and @Pete
There is no drop down to select a number to dial from, but you can go to the addon settings and change the “Forwarding number” at any time.
As of right now I don’t plan on adding a drop down because it would require loading another page via AJAX which would slow down the script. Plus this way you can type in any number to dial from even if it isn’t tied to your GrandCentral account.
Chad,
I’m afraid I’m in the same situation as kc5aug. I’m running Ubuntu Hardy, FF 3.0.1. After I turned off block 3rd party cookies, your extension was able to log into my GC account with no problem. Nothing happens when I try to dial a number. I’ve tried dialing without anything except numbers (xxxxxxxxxx). Also, I’ve disabled all my other FF extensions and I still am unable to dial out. Anything else I can look at or any way I can collect further bug info?
Thanks.
Ok, I’ve no explanation, but today dialing works. Thanks so much for the great extension!
Adam
I can’t seem to record calls with the newest version? Anybody else recording outbound calls on 0.2.8??
@Jason Smith
Unfortunately that has nothing to do with the addon. GrandCentral disabled call recording on all outbound calls a couple months back. You can read about why here.
Chad:
I am using v2.8 and have run into a problem:
if someone doesn’t answer my attempted call to them,
I cannot hang up. Even after my hanging up, their phone
keeps ringing - it might take a minute of my being hung up,
before GC stops ringing their phone.
Also, I get a text box showing the dialed number, saying javascript application and
a yellow triangle with a ” ! ” showing in it.
Can you help?
Can someone please send me an email invite to GC Click-2-Call beta version? When I tried to sign up the website says it’s a private beta version and I need to be invited in in order to sign up. I would really like to try out your product, Chad.
My email is: neueve@gmail.com
@Dbob
That’s more of an issue with GrandCentral than the addon. The call is placed using the the same method as their mobile page which doesn’t give an option to cancel once it’s started.
I am assuming they don’t detect you hanging up until a few seconds later. I also noticed they sometimes continue to call the other party even if you never answer your line.
As for the popup, I believe you are referring to the one that says “Calling (555) 555-5555″. That’s a standard Javascript alert() that can’t be customized beyond changing the message. I could change it to to an XUL popup but figured it wasn’t the trouble.
@AJ
GrandCentral invites are temporarily unavailable. That’s all I know. Everyone that did have invites had theirs suspended as well.
This would be a great J2ME app for users with MyFaves or MyCircle.
Thanks Chad,
BTW, I am very happy with your extension and have the following points fro your consideration.
The unanswered call might continue for up to a minute, maybe more.
This might cause a problem with the called party and limits my ability to make another call.
Also, the last dialed call, through your extension, doesn’t appear in the dial box, so I
have to re-enter the same number to redial.
I hope the above is helpful.
Chad,
Here’s another point:
I tried to run a secunia.com scan yesterday through FF 3.0.1.
It reported that it had difficulty loading its java applet, even though
I have java and java script enabled and am using the latest JRE.
That may be why I get the yellow triangle with the ” ! ” in it as I previously wrote with
javascript application.
I re-ran the secunia scan in Opera browser and had no problem.
So there may be a problem with one of my extensions in FF.
It would be nice to see the contacts list synced with Google Gmail Contacts.
Great program.
One minor issue. The last call notification lists the last call I received (a Spam caller) with the date of that call and the red “X” indication that I missed the call. That’s all right. But the notification does not list the correct name and instead lists the name of the last non-spam caller from an earlier call.
Works great for me….
Thx
Thanks Chad for a great plug-in. Works for me on XP. I would like to suggest a feature:
I need a fast way to switch which of my phones (Office, Home, Mobile, etc) rings when someone calls my Grandcentral number. You could add it to the right-click context menu - each phone line listed either by number or by label (whatever is easier from the programming aspect) and then a checkmark for each to enable/disable. The simpler the better. This would make the menu a lot longer, and I think you should use a separator bar to separate the numbers from the other menu entries.
Hope I described my idea clearly. Hope to hear from you soon.
Chad,
This is a great add-on, thank you very much!
I have not been able to get the add on to work on a second computer. Both are running XP Pro service pack 3.
Any ideas that may resolve this?
Doug
@Ben Bowman
I would like to see that too, but unfortunately don’t have time to write it myself. I have been working with a few people who are trying to dump contacts into GrandCentral, but so far not from Gmail.
If anyone has an addon that works with Gmail or Thunderbird contacts, I would be glad to show you how to add contacts to GrandCentral. Syncing, not so much.
@Alex
I have not been able to reproduce that on mine, but it sounds like it’s happening because the name you assigned the caller. Would you mind e-mailing me what you named the contact?
@The Tuck
I understand your request but don’t think it would fit very well in the addon because this focuses on outgoing calls rather than incoming.
From a feasibility standpoint, it is possible, but would be complicated to accomplish because the different number of groups and lines people use with GrandCentral.
GC already has a nice interface for switching numbers, so I recommend bookmarking that page since the addon already logs you in.
@Douglas
Sounds like an issue with another addon or your profile. Make sure third party cookies aren’t blocked for grandcentral.com and there is nothing blocking cookies from being written.
Thank you for this useful add-on. I think it would be better if I can use my Gizmo number for the ‘Forwarding Number’.
HI Chad,
I really love the extension! It makes Grand Central so much more useful for me. I’m interested in doing something similar for Xbox Media Center written in python (I’m still a programming noob, but learning) and I’m wondering how you learned to interface with Grand Central… is there an API ? Not sure if it will work at all considering the cookie issues, but I’ll check the Grand Central Google group, but any help/advice you have would be great.
Also a look at the code you made would be awesome/helpful.
Thanks
Shawn
Great extension, but I had to disable it because my CPU usage was running around 50% while idle. Don’t know why, but with it disabled CPU usage is normal.
FF 2.0.0.12
XP Pro SP2
Centrino 1.4
1.25 GB
@Dbob
The dial box shows the most recent call that appears when you hover the status bar. Both will eventually show your dialed call, but not until the call log updates again. I will probably change this when I add voice message and missed call popups.
@Victor
The addon should work fine with Gizmo, but you need to have a Gizmo call in number in order to receive the call. GC -> Gizmo works because GrandCentral converts it the incoming call to VOIP. When they re-open invites, get another number and use it specifically for Gizmo for the best of both services.
@Shawn
There is no API. Just a lot of experimenting with AJAX and GrandCentral’s pages. You can check out the addon source by renaming the XPI and JAR to ZIP. I believe I’ve seen a Python app on the Google group, but am not completely sure. Not sure why you would want it for XBOX though.
@James
I can’t think of anything that would cause a CPU leak unless you have it update the call log too often. Have you tried Firefox 3?
Can this be made to work with T-bird to dial phones from address book, emails, calendar?
…sorry…hit submit button too quickly….
Was asking if it can be modified to dial phone #s in T-bird address book and emails….
But it also could work with any app by adding the ability to monitor the clipboard….if a phone number is copied to the clipboard, pop up the “dial” box with that number in it. UI option to enable/disable clipboard monitoring in the options window and the dial window.
Chad,
Phone numbers that are listed on the gmail contacts page are not clickable. Do you think there might be a fix for this in an upcoming version? I’m not talking about syncing as previously mentioned, but being able to click on a number in gmail contacts and have a GC call placed.
Thanks.
Adam