Gmail calls phones!

In November, Google bought up VOIP company Gizmo 5. When they did, most in the tech world expected them to announce some sort of Skype killing service. I'm not quite sure that anyone expected what we got this past Wednesday from Google. You can now call any phone anywhere in the USA and Canada for free!  All you need to know is their number! Well, you need a gmail account and a couple of plug-ins also. You can also get a FREE number so that folks can call you as well. Currently, this only applies in the USA and Canada. You can still do the PC thing with the Video chat as well!  Yes, I would think this is a Skype killer for several reasons. Skype isn't tied to gmail, and contacts like this is! And looking at the international rates google is advertising, it certainly looks competitive with those of Skype.

In my tests, call quality has been good! Just as good as Skypes, but it's early and withholding judgement until after I have used it quite a bit and made some calls overseas. BUT, with that said, the price is certainly right for anyone to try it! Skype charges for a number! Google doesn't!

Google already has Gadgets to load into your iGoogle page! Or launch your gmail and look down the left hand side in your Chat window. You will see an Option that says, "Call Phone". Download the plug-ins, close your brower and get to dailing! This should work on any PC with a mic and speakers!

If you've been pondering doing away with the home phone, or looking for a cheaper solution such as Vonage, or other IP solutions, take a hard look at this one. The price is certainly right at least until the end of the year!

Google's Announcement

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 August 2010 14:53

Idiot of the week - 8/22-8/28/10 UPDATE

So I'm going to try my best to get back to posting my "Idiot of the week". This week's award goes to:

Paris Hilton

After pleading no contest in 2007 to alcohol-related reckless driving,  Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail. After spending about 23 days in jail, Hilton told CNN host Larry King that the experience caused her to re-evaluate the role partying played in her life. She said she wanted "to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis."

Hilton was arrested eariler this summer after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on suspicion of possession of marijuana. The case was then dropped at a midnight court hearing.

Last Updated on Sunday, 29 August 2010 18:14