At the end of last August, Google added voice calling to Gmail. Basically, when enabled, you can dial any regular telephone number for free in the United States and Canada. Your Google Voice number will appear as the caller ID.
I've used this service multiple times, and I've found call quality to be excellent. Google is trying to encroach on Skype's VoIP territory.
The only flaw I've experienced so far with this is that you cannot utilize the number pad while connected on a call. For example, if you are going to call your credit card company, and you need to punch in the numbers, they won't be recognized. Also, if you are dialing into a conference call, and you need to enter in the meeting room number, you're not able to do so.
Have any of you had experience with voice calling in Gmail? Please share your thoughts...
86 comments:
i agree
well about time right?
whoa it really is like Skype, i kinda want to try it now
What about europeans?
Set it up but haven't used. Skype is more useful for me.
Too bad I don't live in the US. Hope they roll out a service for Europe soon.
cool are they charging for the service?
VoIP was known for its low cost, however, google has made it free. Only the smart internet phone service vendors will be able to offer some sort of competitive solution.
i didn't had experience woth that but i like it and can't wait to call someone on gmail
wow cant wait for that.soon no one will have to pay to make a voice call
I use one of those old fangled cellular phones.
I've used it to call a few times, but mostly for fun.
I saw this added and never used it. I'll have to try it out today
Never used it, but if they fix that dial pad glitch then I'm sure it will be a worthy competitor to Skype.
Google VoIP will never replace skype btw :)
yeah google voip is actually really useful, ive messed with it a couple times and i haven't found any huge flaws other than the ones you mentioned
Thats freaking cool!!!
Wow, great! :D
I definitly want to have this in my country running
You cant use the number pad while on a call? That's messed up
interesting, never hat the experience, no
my friend swears by it
Don't use it, so I can't say. If Google would fix the number pad issue though they'd probably come out on top.
I've seen it too. But have been a bit worried to try. But then again I'm old and neurotic.
and you cann access this from your internet enabled cell phone or an Ipod touch. Sweet!
ive not tried this on gmail. but works fine with skype.
interesting...i agree
This looks great but when I heart about it, I couldn't even give it a try because the service was unavailable in Canada. Too bad!
Didn't know google offered this service, pretty cool
I'll need to get a better mic to use this. >_>
about time, thanks for the update.
I've seen it on my iGoogle. but never used it
Free phone calls!
havnt used it uet..
Thanks for the info, Skype is pretty neat though
Very interesting, I would like to see that in action!
I dont think id like random people just calling me up out of the blue.
looks cool, hope to see it soon.
¨I never use voice calling in Gmail!
It's not perfect but it's free.
Thanks, it's nice to know !
Never tried it. Looks a lot like Skype though.
Hmm, too bad you can't use it everywhere in the world! That makes me really sad :-(
Yeah... Google's a little late with this. Skype's been great and I don't think people will switch.
WereAndWillBe.blogspot.com
Not bad.
I plan for this to be my main phone service soon.
Too bad it doesn't work here.
Skype is way ahead of google. Like others may have said here already. Still its good if skype has a serious competitor.
is google voice out for all now?
When are you going to launch your site?
Nice post BTW.
No experience with it. I actually turned it off in my gmail.
WOAH, can't wait for this thing to come to the uk!
I've accidentally found out about this while I was surfing over USA vpn server :D :D
and I'm using it from then... calling cell phones in my country (croatia) from google voice is 0.18$.. same price as some cell carriers in my country ... :S
very good
good
i've tried it, the sound quality is pretty good. i wonder how long it will be free
Seems like more and more things are doing what other things already do. Like we have skype for this.
Thanks for the info, bro.
This is news to me. I'll definitely have a look. You're right 8mm, they are late to the game but you never know. Just look at how Google took over the email game from Hotmail and Yahoo just in a few years.
I've always just used skype for voice/video calls :x
never tried, gonna try... soon...
that sounds awesome
That's cool, I knew that, but bad thing I don't have nobody to call, lol
So I'm guessing your call is using your internet connection, and so you must use headphones and mic to talk, kind of like Ventrilo? And this is all for free?
This may well prove highly useful. Thanks for the informative post!
Interesting, did not even notice that was on my g-mail account before I saw this post. Cool! Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
google is taking over
....didn't you post this journal a month ago?
Google seems to want in for every industry... even the automobile industry.
I can't believe Google is allowing us freee CALLSS :D
I've got google voice on my phone and on my comp, nothing but good things from me.
Can't wait to try this.
Yeah I heard about this.
Dang it, I still have yet to check this out. Sorry >.<
I've tried it once so far, and liked it more then Skype in that 1 time...
I for one embrace our new googlian overlords.
I never use Skype, so I don't think I'll use this
I think it will catch on in the long run
it's pretty cool actually.
sucks you can't use the number pa mid call....
I dont know, I still trying to pick which online chat tool to use.
Google is always doing awsome stuff. I can only support them :) !
Thanks for info about the numpad ;)!
cool man, that would be awsome
Good post! Looking forward to reading you next one
These things are always hard to configure but if you know how to get it to work then its useful
VoIP was known for its low cost, however, google has made it free. Only the smart VoIP phone service vendors will be able to offer some sort of competitive solution.
damn nice! Too bad I cant use it in Europe =/
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