Nope, I’m not talking about some obscure (and unpopular) new google smartphone here, I’m talking about free calls to the US or Canada through Google Phone, in your gmail account!  Yesterday I was checking one of my lesser used gmail accounts and noticed a new item under my chat window on the left that said Call phone.  They haven’t actually come up with a name for the new feature, I just made up Google Phone as it seems like a logical name.

hmm, that sounds interesting.  So I grabbed my microphone headseat and gave it a try. I calleda friend in Canada and it said it was free, and on top of that my friend had no idea I was calling through my laptop, as the voice quality was so clear.

As is quite often the case, Google unveiled this new amazing Skype killer with little (or any??) fanfare on Wednesday August 25, 2010.  I don’t know how long it will last, but for 2010calls to the U.S. and Canada are free.  For now, this is only available to gmail users in theUnited States.  This is a great addition to their already amazing video chat feature.  It seems they are out to crush Skype with agressive pricing to other countries.  For example, calls to India are only  6 cents, Italy 2 cents, and Dominican Republic only $.06.  These prices are all lower than skype.

It’s super easy to use:

Click on Call Phone

Select Country, and dial phone number.

Hit Call and wait for it to ring and the person to answer.

Just make sure you have a microphone and your computer volume is turned up.

While this is pretty awesome stuff, I won’t be entirely impressed until  I see a Google Phone app for my HTC Incredible Android based phone.  Until then, I’ll still have to use Skype on my phone.  Come Google, get’er done!

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