gmail plugin allows calls to phones for free

[silverpig]

Gmail Voice launches

I just installed it and got it to work here! You get a prompt in gmail to install a plugin, install, reboot, and then you can pop up this little dialer. You enter any phone number and it makes the call and you can talk through your browser to any phone. If the phone you're calling is in Canada or the US, the call is free!

Skype has a similar service that costs $3.95 USD a month, and you have to ensure a skype app is installed on the computer. They must be crapping their pants over there right now

The caller ID of the number that called my cell phone is from California, so you can't receive calls through your browser unless you have Google Voice (only in the US for now... unless you're sneaky). Still, pretty freaking cool.

 

[TheVrolok]

Wow, that's a solid deal.

 

[NeoAaronX]

Could they get this to work on Android cell phones?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Could they get this to work on Android cell phones?

Just use google voice for that.

 

[Ika]

I'm not sure, but when I saw the first pop-over notification about it, I think it said "for this month" only or something like that. Might just be free to get people using it, then start charging. I doubt something like this would stay free for very long.

 

[NeoAaronX]

Just use google voice for that.

Oh. I just got my Galaxy S two days ago,.. I'm gonna have to look into that.

 

[Demo24]

I'm not sure, but when I saw the first pop-over notification about it, I think it said "for this month" only or something like that. Might just be free to get people using it, then start charging. I doubt something like this would stay free for very long.

It's not for international calls, but in the US + Canada it is free.

Perhaps I'm not seeing it, but how exactly do I get this to activate? I downloaded the thing from google but it doesn't seem to change anything.

 

[rcpratt]

This appeared in my Gmail with no warning. I'm a little annoyed.

 

[gorcorps]

I'm not sure, but when I saw the first pop-over notification about it, I think it said "for this month" only or something like that. Might just be free to get people using it, then start charging. I doubt something like this would stay free for very long.

I didn't see that, and google has let google voice open up to the public without charging anything. I know it's not the same, but that's still a service I would expect to be charged for that's offered for free.

Personally I don't see using this all that often, but I know many who already skype so it'll be pretty solid for them. If people already have your google voice number then it could be very handy.

 

[AndroidVageta]

I got it...but it won't call a single phone number Ive tried...broken...me or it?

 

[gorcorps]

It's not for international calls, but in the US + Canada it is free.

Perhaps I'm not seeing it, but how exactly do I get this to activate? I downloaded the thing from google but it doesn't seem to change anything.

Mine is just a button in the bottom left in the chat area. You click "call phone" and the dial pad pops up. It's just an in-browser thing.

 

[gorcorps]

I got it...but it won't call a single phone number Ive tried...broken...me or it?

Do you have a google voice number? I just called my cell through the google thing, and it connected and popped up as my google # as expected. Worked well and only a small voice delay.

 

[Jeff7]

"Free" - paid for by data mining and ad revenue.
:hmm:

 

[sdifox]

works for me... interesting enough a california number showed up when I called my cell

I guess that is my google number?

 

[AndroidVageta]

Nope no Google Voice number...but is that needed? Im guessing so...

 

[Ika]

"Free" - paid for by data mining and ad revenue.
:hmm:

I, for one, welcome our semi-new Google overlords.

 

[gorcorps]

Nope no Google Voice number...but is that needed? Im guessing so...

It's not 'needed', but it's the only way for the people on the other end to recognize who's calling. Does anybody know if this can also connect incoming calls to your google number?

 

[AndroidVageta]

Damn...cannot get this to work...and Ive tried 4 different numbers! What am I missing here???

 

[I Saw OJ]

Damn...cannot get this to work...and Ive tried 4 different numbers! What am I missing here???

Works ok for me, whats happening when you try and make a call?

 

[AndroidVageta]

Itll ring like 2-3 times then the call just ends...at first it would ring once then say some shit like "sorry call cant be made" some shit...thought it might be cause I didnt have a mic plugged in...so I hooked mine up and now itll just do what I said above...ring a few times then call just drops.

 

[Soapy Bones]

I just signed into my google voice account to check this out as well, I now have a new option to forward incoming calls directly to google chat. This is really going to be fantastic!

 

[MJinZ]

This would be good if it can dictate what you write.

Transcode or play back the receiver's voice.

 

[silverpig]

Do you have a google voice number? I just called my cell through the google thing, and it connected and popped up as my google # as expected. Worked well and only a small voice delay.

It worked just this way for me too. I have two gmail accounts and one with no google voice attached to it gave some California number as the callback.

 

[Leros]

Can I somehow use this to make free phone calls from my iPhone?

 

[silverpig]

I'm not sure, but when I saw the first pop-over notification about it, I think it said "for this month" only or something like that. Might just be free to get people using it, then start charging. I doubt something like this would stay free for very long.

I just checked on my second account. It says "Free calls to the US and Canada in 2010"