In not so long time ago, I had written about one of the Google failure story in the Google Wave is Officially Over blog post. In the comment form discussion, I agreed that Google is a big online company that will surely use the failure experience as learning steps and then move to another project fast – whether it is really a new or additional project. Now, the opinion is proven. Google launched the Gmail Phone Calls as their latest service. As in the name, Gmail Phone Calls is the phone calls service which integrated within Gmail.
Gmail Phone Calls allows Gmail users to make phone calls direct from their Gmail account. This Gmail Phone Calls service is officially called as Calls from Gmail but I like to called it as Gmail Phone Calls since more make sense for me. As first step, Gmail Phone Calls available only for Gmail users in United States of America (USA) and Canada. This latest service from Google offers free calls for USA and Canada phone number – at least until the end of this year. Beside that, Gmail Phone Calls offers low rates phone calls to Europe, China, and Japan – also for almost the rest of international calls. You can find the complete call charging in this Gmail Phone Calls charging list.
As said in Gmail official blog, Gmail Phone Calls service is the part of the Google’s computer-to-computer voice and video chat service. You can find this service within your Gmail account, in the Chat section box, in the left. You just need to click the “Call Phone” part to launch this Gmail Phone Calls service. It seems Google want to make Gmail become center of the online communication with the entire integrated online communication application such as Email service itself, Gtalk, Google Buzz, and now — the Gmail Phone Calls.
Gmail Phone Calls service surely use the Voice Over Internet Prototcol (VoIP) technology to be able to offer such low international call charging. It seems this VoIP technology is developed by Google after the Gizmoz5 VoIP company acquisition in November last year. With this latest move, Google officially become direct competitor of new media companies such as Skype as well as the traditional phone operators such as Verizon. It is interesting to find how this move result in future after it is applied world-wide. Is it another Google Failure or Success story?
That’s all update this time, wait for next update!
Yeah, it isn’t that popular because of the limited service though. Maybe they could improve their deal so that they can compete with Skype.
Yeah, they should be.
I tried using gmail phone calls, but it isn’t like any VOIP calling service. I know one site who can provide free 3 mins call for every number a day. Another great move for Google to at least counter the market share of Skype I guess…
It seems this service still doesn’t make a big buzz.
[...] try to optimize Gmail to new level these days. I say that since not so long after integrate the Gmail Voice Call, Google puts another new feature into Gmail which is Gmail “Priority Inbox” feature. [...]
It seems like Google is offering all the possible services that anybody can offer. Personally, it can help me decide to stick with them all through out. Imagine the benefit of time using Google because they cater all applications we actually need.
Yes, it is. It makes Google become one stop “shopping” place for online.
Is it now launched for international users? I am waiting for that great moment.
Not yet. Let’s wait.
You mean its just for USA And Canada users. Is this free for them.
Yes, it is available only for USA and Canada users so far. It is free if the call destination is within USA or Canada.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by dana lingga, dana lingga. dana lingga said: Gmail Phone Calls, The Latest Move From The Big Google – Gmail Phone Calls service is the part of the Google's compu… http://ow.ly/18MP8s [...]