Cyrus (+1) and Lifehacker pointed out that Gmail has now allowed phone calls to be placed straight from Gmail.
Google announces it here (along with a cute video)
I thought you would like to know about this. Here is an overview.
Rates
Free calls anywhere in North America till Dec 31st, fair rates elsewhere.
Review
- I used it for 2 hours yesterday and the quality was very very clear. :-)
- It is super easy.
- It will dial people from your Google contacts list (accessed through Gmail)
- It integrates with your Google voice account if you have one. (calling credit, history, google voice # on caller ID etc.)
Requirements
- You need a Gmail account. (free fast good)
- It requires a browser plug-in that you would otherwise install for using Google chat’s “voice-chat” feature.
- It requires a speaker/headphones and microphone
- (um and an Internet connection)
Use
- In Gmail on the left were you see “chat” and your friends below your status;
- Rather than clicking on a person and starting a chat,
- you click “call phones” and it presents you with a keypad.
- Type the number you want 604-555-1212 etc… and it starts ringing
- OR type a contact from your gmail contacts.
UPDATE: Gmail has extended free North American phone calls for all of 2011. Thank you Gmail. I know this is one of many factors causing my friends to consider giving up their home phones.
Enjoy! I hope this saves you money and helps you connect with the people that matter to you.
Cheers, Greg
