Gmail Sounding Better Already
Move over Skype. Welcome Gmail
Gmailers are rejoicing from all points of the globe as news about about Gmail’s new chat feature is released.
Within the next 48 hours, most Gmail users will be able to make PC > Phone calls all from the comfort of their inbox.
Yup you heard it. That’s only the good news.
Great News. It’s Cheap!
- Calls to the U.S and Canada are free
- PC > Phone calls to numerous countries at only .$02 cents / minute
- Routing various international calls to your mobile pone cost .20 cents / minute
It sounds like they have it down.
“We went through a couple of exercises when figuring our how to price it,” says Google product manager for group communications Craig Walker.
Since Google Voice didn’t take off as some thought it would…Google has a chance to re-launch the voice feature with Gmail.
Speaking of launch: the feature should be going live in the next few days. However, we don’t suggest taping tooth picks to your eyes and waiting up for it.
As far as quality?
Walker said Google’s engineers have done existent work to increase the sound quality between microphones and PC speakers and rates the sound quality as good as Skype and better then a mobile phone.
In case you’re wondering – here’s a little breakdown of how it will work.
Gmail Voice will piggy back off of the Gmail Chat feature in the lower left hand corner. It will operate like any standard touch tone phone. Click on “Call Phone” in the top of your chat list and fire away.
On a side note, the official Gmail blog says calls to the U.S and Canada are free for at least for the rest of the YEAR.
Well, we may see some Mountain View benevolence by making the free calls permanent.
With Google, Skype and Vonage battling in the VOIP war…one thing is guaranteed. Look for more releases and better technology. As long as there’s an emerging industry – technology will be developed quicker.
Depending on Buzz’s success, Google might play a key role in bringing voice to social media!
Why is Facebook dragging its feet in developing live video / voice services? Answer: no competition.
Google is surely watching this.
In the meantime, happy talking!
Questions or comments about Gmail’s new voice feature? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us what you think? Sorry, text responses only.
