Just in time for the holidays, Google is extending the free domestic calling via the Gmail VOIP service another year. Last year the company extended the free computer to telephone VOIP service another year and now they are doing it again. “This is our way of helping you connect with friends and family across the country,” states their recent blog entry.
In case you haven’t used the Gmail VOIP service yet, it is similar to the computer to computer and computer to cellphone (or land line) calling that you can do in Google Voice, only this is integrated into Gmail. It does require a small browser plug-in; however, it is worth it. Accessing it by clicking on the “Call a phone” link in the Gmail sidebar (in the chat/SMS section), you are able to put that headset to work by calling anyone in the US and Canada for free. I’ve used it a couple of times and found it to be rather handy for quick conversations while at my computer. Have you tried it out yet, and did you find it useful?
It is one thing that I use to
It is one thing that I use to keep in touch with my family back home as I can call their phone for free from my computer (or my cell w/ Google Voice). Things like Skype or Xbox Live chat tend to drop too many frames as they live out in the boonies where high speed internet isn’t the most stable thing.
I love my google Voip! I want
I love my google Voip! I want it to work on my cell phone when its on wifi so I can stop paying verizon, but my repeated emails to google haven’t warranted an implementation of this much requested feature.
What cell phone do you have?
What cell phone do you have? If it’s an android phone you can use the Google Voice application to do this I think.
Hmm I may be mistaken on that
Hmm I may be mistaken on that actually, it may still use the cell radio or cell network. One thing you could do is use the skype out to your GV number to who your calling and going the other direction for people calling you. You’d need to pay for a Skype number though.