Google Voice: Make Free Phone Calls using Gmail

Finally, Google allows Gmail users to make free phone calls without going to their Google Voice page, as announced on Gmail blog on Wednesday. This also means that the caller can make a call using only his computer and directly to a phone.

Making a call using Gmail is as simple as using a normal phone. Just click “Call phone” at the top of your chat list and dial a number or enter a contact’s name.

But first, make sure that you have installed a plug-in from Google for your browser, which works fine with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari from Apple on Macs.

To receive a call in Gmail, you must have a Google Voice account which is free if you are in the United States. When you receive a call in Gmail, a call window will appear with a ring tone. Then simply press the Answer button to accept the call. If you want to transfer the call directly to your phone, there is a button that will switch the call.

Here is a short video from You Tube that provides a simple explanation.

Call phones from Gmail

Incidentally, the free phone calls are now available only in the United States and Canada for at least the rest of the year.

International calls to France, Germany, China, Japan, and others will be as low as $0.02 per minute.

You can find the complete list for international call rates at Google Voice Call Rates.

However, this feature may not yet be available using Apps for schools or businesses. But Google said they are working hard to make it more broadly.

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