Recently Google acquired a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) company called Gizmo5. Their technology has now appeared as a plug-in for GMail, Google's popular email program. Once installed, a "Make a Call" button appears in the Chat window. Your computer needs a microphone and speakers or a voice headset, and a connection to the Internet, to place a call.
The "Call from Gmail" service allows you to call to any number in USA and Canada without charge for now. If you have a Google Voice number, you can receive calls via Gmail, too.
I believe calls have to originate from USA in the beginning of this program. Calling to other countries involves a relatively low charge per minute. Google wants the international calls to pay for the calls to USA and Canada. But they only promise these calls will be free until the end of 2010.
More information here
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/google-introduces-voice-in-gmail/
http://gizmodo.com/5621741/google-voice-gets-integrated-into-gmail
The "Call from Gmail" service allows you to call to any number in USA and Canada without charge for now. If you have a Google Voice number, you can receive calls via Gmail, too.
I believe calls have to originate from USA in the beginning of this program. Calling to other countries involves a relatively low charge per minute. Google wants the international calls to pay for the calls to USA and Canada. But they only promise these calls will be free until the end of 2010.
More information here
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/google-introduces-voice-in-gmail/
http://gizmodo.com/5621741/google-voice-gets-integrated-into-gmail
